Verbal Harassment
Give an example of verbal harassment.
-Name calling
-Offensive gestures
-Slurs
-Unwanted jokes
-Hurtful comments
-Unwanted gestures (touching someone)
-Physical assault
-Threats of violence
-Damage of personal property
TRUE OR FALSE: The first step of reporting harassment is to try and solve the problem with the perpetuator first.
TRUE. UNLESS it involves physical or sexual violence.
TRUE
TRUE OR FALSE: Employees do not have the right to report verbal harassment.
FALSE: Employees can report verbal harassment if it is ongoing and won't stop.
Give an example of physical harassment.
-Stealing someone's belongings at work
-Pulling hair/clothing
-Pushing someone/tripping someone at work as a joke
-Threatening to hurt someone outside of work
Who should you report the harassment to first?
A. Co-Worker
B. Supervisor/Manager
C. Mom and Dad
B. Supervisor or Manager
SCENARIO: Jenna and Marco work in the kitchen at Noodles and Company. Jenna has noticed that Marco likes to put his hand on Jenna's back instead of saying, "excuse me." Jenna has told Marco 3 times that she does not feel comfortable.
What should Jenna do next?
A. Yell at Marco the next time he does it
B. Call the police
C. Report the issue to her manager
C. Report the issue to her manager, who will then take the next steps.
TRUE OR FALSE: If you are being verbally harassed at work, it is very important to tell someone.
TRUE
SCENARIO: Martin and Emma both work at the library. Martin is stocking the book shelves with Emma, then throws a book at Emma's head. Emma shouts, "WHY DID YOU DO THAT?" Martin replies, "Come on Emma, it was a joke!"
Is this an example of physical harassment?
Yes-causing damage to property and to people is physical harassment.
If you report the harassment and nothing changes, who should you report it to next?
A. HR (Human Resources)
B. The President of the United States
C. The County Sheriff
A. HR (Human Resources). If it is an extreme case, law enforcement may become involved.
TRUE OR FALSE: Sexual harassment can occur between all genders. Female and Male, Male and Male, or Female and Female.
TRUE: Sexual harassment is not limited to male and female.
SCENARIO: One of your co-workers keeps gossiping about another co-worker, Mario.
This seems to be turning into verbal harassment. What do you do?
Ask the co-worker to stop gossiping. If they keep it going, report it to your manager.
What could happen to a co-worker if they are found to be guilty of physical harassment?
A. They might earn less money
B. They could get let go or written up at work
C. They might get a timeout
B. Someone who is found guilty of physical harassment at work could get fired, written up, or reported to law enforcement, depending on the severity of the harassment.
SCENARIO: Evan and Ryan work at Festival foods. One day they are doing cleaning tasks. Ryan says, "Men shouldn't be cleaning, this is a job for a woman. I'm not doing this!"
Should Evan report this to his manager? Why?
Yes, this is a form of gender harassment and a negative gender stereotype.
SCENARIO: Bill works at McDonalds. One day, his manager, Linda, call him into her office. She tells Bill she will give him a raise if he gives her a shoulder massage.
What should Bill do?
A. Give his boss what she wants so he can get a raise
B. Report the incident immediately to HR
C. Tell his co-worker about what happened
B. Report the incident immediately to HR, since your manager started the harassment.
SCENARIO: Julia's co-worker, Sam, likes to make jokes. One day, Sam makes a joke in front of the whole office about Julia. Julia is embarrassed and runs to the bathroom to hide.
Is this an example of verbal harassment?
Yes-making cruel and offensive jokes about another co-worker at work is considered verbal harassment.
TRUE OR FALSE: Some physical harassment might be downplayed as a joke if there is no physical harm done.
TRUE-physical harassment may be unwanted gestures, harassment towards work property, or damage to personal belongings.
What happens after you report harassment at work?
An informal investigation will take place to determine the situation.
The employee responsible could be demoted, fired, written up, or involve law enforcement, depending on the severity.
TRUE OR FALSE: You are out at the movie theater when you see two of your coworkers kissing and holding hands. Is this sexual harassment?
FALSE: Coworkers who are dating outside of work is not sexual harassment, especially because it is wanted gestures, not unwanted.