Harassment, which is a form of bullying, is very common nowadays. As defined in dictionaries, it is ‘an act that annoys or bothers someone in a constant or repeated way’. Focusing on organizations and work-related environments, it can be something that fears employees or something that brings lots of stress and anxiety to them. As a result, their productivity and efficiency are negatively affected, making the organization’s performance deteriorate as well. In addition, these acts can also affect their mental, emotional and physical health.
One of the unique and distinguishing characteristics of harassment is the vulnerability of the person who experiences it. Often, they are reluctant to complain. They may want the bullying and harassment to stop, but afraid and clueless on how to do it. Thus, making them suffer in silence and eventually give up.
Emotional Effects of Harassment
Basically, harassment’s effect on an individual can range from simple irritation to extreme depression. Those who are subjected to these types of behavior more often have the tendency to lose their self-esteem and morale. As a result, they are frequently disrupted and are not able concentrate fully on their tasks. Inconsistent timekeeping, increased absenteeism, lack of commitment and low performance will take place, which eventually may lead to resignation. All of this will have a direct impact on organization’s performance and effectivity. In addition, anxieties are also manifested in both the employee’s personal and family life.
Sexual Harassment
Crude jokes, pin-ups, sexual innuendo, whistling and so on – these are acts of sexual harassment that are very common in workplaces nowadays. Often, people who receives these kind of comments and reactions chose to keep calm and not to speak up. However, inside them, embarrassment quickly gives way to anger. This anger, just like the feeling of ‘fear-to-speak-up-when-bullied’, is also hidden.
Sexually harassed individuals also deal with guilt for a number of reasons. In spite of being bullied, they may still feel they are the ones who initiated those sexual insults through the language they use or the way they dress. The worst part of it is their fear of telling this problem to their partners, family or friends, in fear of judgement and the possibility of losing their job.
As a result, the tension, anger, fear and frustrations build up and lead to physical problems, like headaches or nausea, depression, insomnia and hypertension.
Reactions to Sexual Harassment
Managers should be very careful in dealing with harassment issues. They must help, but not to the point of lending a shoulder to cry on. Managers should deal with these kinds of issues objectively and fairly. Personal feelings must not interfere with the objectivity required in situations like these. Most importantly, managers should lead by example, avoiding game playing or jokes that may result to someone being belittled or excluded. Reflecting on their own behavior and feeling concerning harassment is often the best way to lessen this problem.
Effects of Harassment in an Organization
Let us always remind ourselves that harassment can ruin an individual’s life forever. It has the ability to affect not only emotions but also the physical and mental well-being of a person. It can even lead to more major problems such as illness and even death (suicide). Fairness and respect must always be present in a workplace to maintain balanced working relationships.
