How Men Can Help Stop Sexual Harassment at Work
Sexual harassment in the workplace affects many more women than men, but it is men who are responsible for stopping it. In addition, of course, without persecuting women , we must intercede for them, especially (and, unfortunately), because we are more likely to be heard and respected than the victims themselves. Esquire has guidance on detecting , handling, and reporting sexual harassment , including how to file a complaint with senior management, HR, and even the press.
Their detailed guidance, including advice from several psychologists and labor experts, will help you move from a vague “I want to help” feeling to a real plan. Here are three points that we particularly liked:
- Say something at the moment. Take the risk of saying, “This is disgusting” or “I disagree with this.” If you are uncomfortable with how someone is being treated, you are not just defending their rights, you are defending your own. And it will be more difficult for a sexual harassment to reject a complaint supported by a third party, especially another man.
- Write things down. Maintain a behavior log so that if you report something to your boss or HR employee, you have facts to discuss and not be left to vaguely describe the “creepy atmosphere.” It also means “saving receipts” – logs and screenshots of offending chats and emails.
- Consult with the victim. Give them as much control as possible by taking the responsibility to act. Ask them if they agree with what you are reporting the harassment and how they will feel most comfortable whether you will mention their name or not, or if they want to report with you as a witness.
Read this passage to learn more about following up, dealing constructively with the aggressor, and avoiding high-risk situations. Read the accompanying Esquire article, “57 Things I Need To Stop Doing The Women You Work With.” Also check out the book by Helen Rosner , 20 Things RTFN Men Can Do To Support Women, Beyond Just Stop Sexually Harassing Us.
What to do if you witness harassment of an employee | Esquire