Sexual harassment is prohibited in all Georgia workplaces. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be subject to inappropriate treatment while on the job. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to ensure that those who engage in workplace misconduct are held accountable for their actions.
Have a private conversation with your office bully
In some cases, your colleagues may not understand that they are engaging in conduct that you find to be insulting or rude. Therefore, if it’s safe to do so, have a private conversation with the person who is causing you to feel uncomfortable at work. In some cases, this will be enough to get the behavior to stop.
Talk to a supervisor about your situation
If a conversation with your colleague isn’t enough to remedy the problem, you should tell your supervisor what is happening. Your supervisor should then open an investigation into the matter and take action to help you feel more comfortable while on the job. If you don’t think that your direct supervisor is taking the matter seriously, you should escalate the matter to someone in the organization who will.
File a complaint with the proper authorities
Even if those within your company are sympathetic to your plight, it doesn’t mean that they will take action in a timely manner. Therefore, it may be in your best interest to file a workplace harassment complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC will work with you and your employer to come to a reasonable resolution to the matter. In the event that a resolution can’t be reached outside of court, the organization may file a lawsuit on your behalf.
If you are able to prove that you were the victim of workplace harassment, you may be entitled to compensation. A financial award might include back pay, the value of benefits lost after being wrongfully terminated or other damages allowed by law. Your employer may also be required to make changes to its workplace policies and procedures.