What do I do when my coworkers are harassing me?
132 Answers
Last Updated: 06/02/2022 at 4:53am
Moderated by
Smita Joshi, BA Psychology / MA / Advanced EFT Practitioner
Counselor
I am empathetic with my Clients going through emotional overwhelm and passionate in helping them. I am supportive, openminded & interactive in helping my clients.
Top Rated Answers
Employees should notify their employer if they feel that they have been discriminated against or harassed. Employees can review their employee handbooks to determine who they should contact within the company. Often, employees can report the conduct directly to their supervisor, but other times, and in particular where the harasser is the supervisor, employees should report the conduct to Human Resources or an equivalent department.
When I have been in situations like this, I kept a written record of EVERYTHING. Wrote down the comments word for word, and their actions as they were committed, with time stamps and dates. Nobody else has to know what you are doing. In the meantime, it is imperative that you not fight back. Let them continue doing what they are doing. When you have enough information and evidence, you can take the next step and report them. Always ALWAYS keep your cool and take a deep breath. Don't let them see that what they are doing affects you. Vent to someone who isn't from your place of work, and let it all out when you are far away. Never let anyone see that you're upset. It will help your case when you finally report the harrassment.
When co-workers are harassing you the best thing you can do is to report it to your leadership team. A work environment should be a professional environment not someplace you dread going.
Anonymous
January 13th, 2017 7:27pm
1. Do not attack them. This will reveal that you are succumbing to their baits.
2. Try to put on a face of : I couldn't care less.
3. Grant them favors, but if they think they are using you to get things easily, avoid their requests.
4. Try making friends with people of your own kind. Like, if you are a book reader, find them and be with them. You will eventually have a group of people who will help you.
5. Don't take it to the authority. It will make you look weak to both the bullies and the authority.
6. Start getting better at your job. Be that much good, so that those bullies have to come to you for work support.
7. Avoid them as much as possible.
8. If everyone from your work bullies you, change your job.
9. Don't get depressed. Try to stay in good mood. Use music, books, movies for support. And also talk to friends who are close, or family members who understand you.
If you are being harassed, reporting it to a manager/HR is the best thing to do. They will protect your anonymity and your job if those coworkers give you any trouble!
I was being harassed at work once, and when I told my manager, she told him he needed to go home. They are on your side :)
Anonymous
March 4th, 2017 6:07pm
I would express to them how their harassment makes you feel. If they continue the behavior, I would contact HR or upper management to talk with them and try to resolve. Remember, anyone who treats you badly is a representation of their own personal problems and insecurities. Do not take what they say to you personally!
Anonymous
October 20th, 2014 3:30am
I calmly think that perhaps it has more to do with them then it has to do with me, if not then I investigate it further by asking them directly and calmly why they act the way they do towards me.
This is unacceptable behavior. Call your HR representative and talk to them anonymously about the person bothering you.
How bad are they harassing you? If it is really bad please consider to report them. If it is something you can handle always remember you are the person that gives power to their harassing. If you don't bother or get effected with their attitude they will realize that is is not effecting you and stop.
You need to report this to your manager, I understand it makes for a uncomfortable enviroment but it is vital you report it, these people are not your friends and will only become worse the longer there are no repercussions; if your manager does not take action on your report, contact your head office/senior management and report both the staff that are harassing you and your manager for not taking appropriate action. You should be able to find this information on how to contact them on your work agreement that you would have signed at the start of your job.
Dont give them any chance to harass you. Face them with utter courage to show them that you are not affected by their behavior. Talk to your HR department.
Anonymous
November 10th, 2014 5:21am
Speaking from personal experience, you should consider reporting their behavior to a manager or calling an anonymous HR line. It seems like they are creating a hostile work environment and you should feel safe and well at work.
Reporting it is important. Try reporting it right away. Follow the chain of command at the same time. If its a boss or manager you need to speak with the person above your boss. Some people have reported it and was fired or retaliated against. Follow the laws for wrongful termination at that point.
While reporting it can be both good and bad. Its always a good thing to report it because if more than one reported issues of harassment against the same person there may be something done about it. Nothing can be done if it isn't reported though. If you have witnesses have them report it to. The more the better it can and will be handled.
Anonymous
April 24th, 2015 6:47pm
You should tell your supervisor or your employer about whats going on. They should know how to take care of whats going on.
You tell them politely you don't like the way they are acting - or the way they are speaking for that matter - and walk away. Don't try to start a fight, that never ends well.
In this case, i'd report it to your supervisors, or higher up. Take notations of anything did/said every time they happen (Write it down, in detail!), and ask them politely (a few times) to knock it off. You don't have to tolerate ANYONE treating you in a way that makes you uncomfortable or unhappy. Remember that.
The best and first thing you could do is really looking at the situation. Make sure you ask yourself if the things going on are in good fun or are you truly being harrassed? If you are in a situation that is making you feel uncomfortable then the best thing to do is follow the chains of command and report the situation to your boss or supervisor in attempts to get the situation to stop. iF that doesn't work, then go over their heads and report to the next person in line above them. NObody should have to deal or put up with any kind of harassment in the work place.
I think its best to talk it out with them first. If that doesn't work then I would reach out for help from a fellow coworker or just learn how to live with these things or even leave if its necessary
Anonymous
April 26th, 2018 7:04am
You address this issue to you manager at work, this behavior is unacceptable and you shouldn’t be going through this silently.
There are some strategies you can apply: first, try to express it clearly to your coworkers that are harassing you. If this is in vain, try to express this to your boss. In case of no joy, go to the HR department.
when your coworkers are harassing you go to human resources and report the incidents and keep a log of everthing
Go to your manager and if that doesn't work then call the top boss as in cooperate or district manager.
Is there someone with the authority to put a stop to it, and if not, do you feel like you have the power over you own being to stop having people treat you the way they do? Take a stand and go for help. You deserve a lot better.
You should consider reporting them to your boss or the relevant management personnel after confronting them
When coworkers are harassing you, the best you can probably do is to immediately report it to your employer. A workplace is supposed to be a safe place for every individual and any kind of unapologetic behavior must be reported directly to the authorities concerned.
Remember, the harassing has nothing to do with you or your personality. Don't let their behavior affect your mental health. Also, try not to confront them or avoid getting into a conflict that might expose you to situations that are unfavorable, no matter how much dirty it gets. No one deserves to go through all this.
Harassment from anyone can be very distressing, let alone from the people you work with. Staying calm is key, and you should make sure that you are standing up for yourself with firm and short sentences, making it clear that it is not okay for your coworkers to speak to or about you like that. Escalating to your superior for help is also a good idea, to make sure that you are being protected and that people are held accountable for their behavior. Go as far up the chain as you need to in order to get the issue resolved. You deserve to have a work place where you feel safe and can thrive :)
Anonymous
September 26th, 2019 10:10am
First of all, harassment at work can be reported to your superior.
In most countries this is in the working rights and law.
You can communicate that you are annoyed and they should stop, but even though you wouldn’t do it, your colleagues are in the wrong. If they are having a bad behavior this should be reported in your interest, the interest of your company and theirs.
Now some workplaces are better than others in that matter and employees can fear to make a step and denunciate someone. Note aside, the harassers are probably counting on this fear to continue to bully as they please.
When coworkers trying to harass you, it could be better if you speak about it in person with your immediate boss to find some solution of it. But, in case, it doesn't work, report about it in written to your immediate boss as well as concerned authorities like HR. I hope after it will be documented, things could be considered
Anonymous
March 25th, 2015 3:48am
You can inform your supervisor or whoever is in charge. No one should have to be harrassed at work, and they can do something about these rude employees.
So sorry to hear you're facing harassment from your co workers. It is not acceptable in any form and from anyone ! I really think that, anything wrong if not called out upon, will simply just keep on increasing and someone or other will always fall victim to it ! So, how do you feel about raising your voice against their unfair behavior towards you, do you think you should talk to them, tell them what they are doing is wrong and they should correct their behavior, maybe that could help ? Or also maybe speaking with a supervisor or someone in authority, how do you feel about telling them what's being going on with you and how it is affecting your emotional and mental health and hence your productivity in the work place ? Harassment will only increase if not called out and dealt directly with , and no body should be treated that way. The people who engage in such behavior, must be aware of the consequences of such and become more mindful of their actions. I hope things get sorted out for you sooner . Take care . 💜
Related Questions: What do I do when my coworkers are harassing me?
Should I stay at a job that I hate?Why do I feel so empty and unfulfilled in my profession? How do I overcome this?My manager is very impatient and often criticises me. I cant take criticism well and have a low threshold of stress. What can I do to get stronger (to cope) on my own and without changing her at all?What to say when quitting a job you just started?How do I tell my boss I'm leaving? (nicely)?What should I do if I can't get a job?I'm worried I look incompetent at work, what can I do?I am worried about losing my job, what can I do?How can I deal with being blamed for things that aren't my fault?I am unemployed and depressed, how can I stop depression from affecting my job search?