Are you being harassed on the job? You may feel that you should be able to handle harassment, that you have no options, or no one will believe you. However, harassment is not only a good reason for changing jobs but a very common reason.
Research by All Voices reveals that 34 percent of people leave a job because of “unresolved harassment issues.” The likelihood is higher if there is no anonymous channel to report harassment or if they feel their company does not want harassment reported.
Harassment may come in many forms. Legally, it is based on discriminatory behavior, related to age, sex, ability, or race, for example. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, this harassment becomes illegal when accepting it “becomes a condition of continued employment” or it creates “a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive.”
However, even if harassment fails to rise to the level of illegality, it is still devastating. Among the types of harassment are personal (for example, you are always the butt of jokes or always isolated at lunch), physical threatening, power plays (you are asked to do more and more work with fewer resources), psychological (you are always contradicted or belittled), and cyberbullying.
Harassment is an excellent reason for changing jobs. When you are ready to look for your next job:
- Keep your search confidential at work. You do not want your harassers to have a chance to harass you about your job search or undermine it.
- Develop referrals outside the company. Most organizations where you apply will accept that you do not want them talking to your present company, especially if you have recommendations from previous employers, customers, or vendors who did not harass you.
- Do not indicate harassment as your reason for leaving. You can use expressions like “not a good fit” or “seeking more opportunities.” Unfortunately, accusations of harassment do not endear you to potential employers.
- Consider speaking to someone neutral about your experience. You may choose a professional counselor, a close friend, or a lawyer. Harassment is very stressful and talking about it to someone you trust will help you build your confidence again and deal with the lingering stress. You may also develop a plan that allows you to stay at your current job and stop the harassment.
- Take advice from a professional coach and resume writer. You want to make sure that your resume, LinkedIn profile, and interview skills all shout “professional” rather than “recovering from harassment.”
If you have taken whatever measures you can to rectify harassment at your current job, and it has not stopped, It is time to seek a new job. When you are ready, please contact Robin’s Resumes® for the support you deserve.