Among the many forms of misbehaviors in workplaces, verbal harassment creates severe psychological and emotional impacts on victims.
It will outline in detail what constitutes verbal harassment, give a few examples of when it actually happened in real life, and advise how to go about addressing the situation if it hits your workplace.
Definition of Verbal Harassment
Verbal harassment includes words which insult, degrade, or threaten the other individual. The types may be many-insults, demeaning remarks, intimidations, constant criticism; all these often intended to cause a hostile atmosphere in work. It is actually emotional harassment because it affects one’s mental status, self-esteem, and well-being.
At the workplace, anybody can be a cause of verbal harassment: a supervisor, coworker, or even a client. It is harassment if the behavior is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it affects the victim’s ability to do the job or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. Verbal harassment also comes within the prohibition of workplace harassment laws if it is because of race, gender, age, religion, or disability.
Examples of Verbal Harassment
Since it is usually subjective, it may be tough to single out what constitutes verbal harassment in the workplace, because it normally depends on the context and the impact of the behavior. A few common examples of verbal harassment that may indicate if one is being harassed or not are:
- Yelling or Screaming: Verbal harassment can be constituted if one raises their voice frequently, in an aggressive manner, towards another. It is meant to intimidate one and make the person feel uncomfortably threatened.
- Insults and Name-Calling: Using names that degrade, comments, or insults based on the appearance, work performance of a particular person, or personal attributes of the individual, all fall square within the ambit of verbal harassment.
- Derogatory Remarks or Jokes: Poking fun at or making inappropriate comments about a victim’s race, gender, and religion are all some of the categories included within verbal harassment. Again, these types of comments are used to degradation or otherwise humiliate a particular target.
- Threats: Verbal harassment also includes any verbal threats of harm, losing a job, or other negative consequences. Threats are the prime components that contribute to a hostile work atmosphere and may have an adverse effect on the mental condition of the victim.
- Constant Criticism: While continuous criticism towards a particular employee, without any buyers in the shape of suggestions or constructive motivation, may be bracketed as verbal harassment if it has been emanating with an intention of taking away morale and self-confidence from a person.
These examples show how verbal harassment can range from overtly aggressive behavior to more subtle, yet equally damaging, forms of abuse. The ability to understand these examples will help you to better identify those instances where verbal harassment is taking place.
Signs and Effects of Verbal Harassment
Identifying the signs of verbal harassment at work may better help one know an appropriate course of action to take. Here are some common signs which may be observed:
- Increased Anxiety or Stress: If you feel that the anxiety level or stress level at work has shot up considerably, then this could also be a sure shot sign of verbal harassment. Most instances of verbal abuses are meted out in an environment of fear and tension that inhibits one from concentrating on their work.
- Loss of Productivity at Workplace: Verbal harassment does lead to a decrease in output, motivation, and performance level at work. It will also make a difference in concentrating on something and completing the work at hand.
- Emotional Distress:Most experiences of verbal harassment are usually accompanied by emotional distress; feelings of sadness, anger, or frustration are often present. This continued abuse can deteriorate mental well-being and include signs and symptoms associated with states of depression.
- Avoiding: When the harassment is taking a toll on the individual, it manifests in instances where one avoids talking or even being around some people in the workplace for fear of being verbally harassed.
The extent of the mental health impact caused due to verbal abuse may go as far as to develop anxiety or depression, and even physical manifestations, such as headaches or fatigue.
Legal Aspects of Verbal Harassment
While the legal definition of verbal harassment may differ from one jurisdiction to another, it contemplates almost any type of verbal conduct that creates an environment which is offensive or hostile. Harassment of a verbal nature, by nature based on these various workplace laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, is prohibited and protects workers from discrimination based on protected characteristics.
That is because it must be severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or abusive work environment for a reasonable person to continue working.It also must impede the victim’s ability to effectively do her job. Let this be a reminder that one or two minor comments or isolated incidents will not suffice for cases of harassment to be considered repeated and heavier actions are what the courts call upon when considering them qualifying.
Knowing one’s rights in any case, let alone one of verbal harassment, is important. Finding legal help for that in the workplace is crucial. Expert employment dispute legal help will guide on what steps are necessary not only to show whether your situation falls within criteria that make it a legally claimed case.
“To understand more about your rights regarding harassment, check out our article on Civil Rights In New York State.”
What to Do If You Experience Verbal Harassment
If you feel that you are being verbally harassed at work, there are ways to protect yourself and take action against the behavior.
1. Document the Harassment
Document every incident of your verbal harassment. Date and time of the incident, location, who was/were involved, and a summary of what was said may be used as evidence if one files a complaint through HR or through legal means.
2. Report the Harassment to HR
If you feel safe doing so, file your complaint of verbal harassment with your HR department. HR needs to be involved in addressing the workplace harassment complaint. Get them to take some steps to at least investigate the matter and take the situation into their hands. Share all the documented evidence you have that can prove your claims.
3. Consult with labor law attorney
It is an option to see a labor law attorney in cases where the HR does nothing or if the verbal harassment continues. Find your attorney who is experienced enough to explain to you all of your legal rights and help determine how good a case you would have, should a formal complaint or lawsuit be filed.
If the harassment involves racial discrimination, consider seeking specialized legal assistance. Learn more about Where Can I Find the Best Racial Discrimination Lawyers?.
4. Practice Self-Care for good mental health.
Verbal harassment is extremely exhausting psychologically. Get professional help through a therapist or counsellor that will be able to assist you in working your way out and finding constructive ways of dealing with your feelings. This is an important investment that you need right now to ensure well-being.
FAQs on Verbal Harassment
Q: Can human resources take action regarding verbal harassment?
Yes, verbal harassment needs to be reported to HR. Actually, that is the duty of HR: it has to ensure work safety and take action on complaints against harassment or discrimination. Just make sure you have documented evidence before reporting them to HR.
Q: How is Verbal Harassment Different from Bullying?
While both are forms of abusive behavior, verbal harassment is more defined legally, particularly when some sort of protected characteristics is brought into the equation, such as race or gender. Conversely, bullying may not rise to the threshold of legality to be defined as harassment but be good enough to create a hostile work environment.
Q: How does Verbal Harassment Affect Mental Health?
Verbal harassment is associated with variable psychological consequences including increased anxiety, depression, and emotional distress and sometimes physical manifestations such as headaches, lethargy, and sleep disturbance.
Conclusion
Knowing what constitutes verbal harassment is important in being able to identify and deal with this negative behavior at the workplace. Verbal harassment can be anything from insults or degrading comments to threats or constant criticism. These facets make it really influence one’s mental health and work performance.
If you are getting something that makes you feel like you are suffering from verbal harassment, consider these steps you might take. Document incidents, report to the HR, seek a lawyer in case it will be needed. Everybody has a right to feel safe in his or her workplace; hence, it is relevant to take those acts in securing your rights.
If you are badly disturbed or would like someone to go over options with you, find an Employment dispute legal help professional who can guide you step by step on how to handle any type of verbal harassment and advise you about your rights.
