So you fight against sexual harassment in the job

The slap on the butt, the hand on the knee - women often find it difficult to defend themselves against such sexual assault in the workplace. In doing so, sexual harassment must not and must not be allowed: Christine Lüders, head of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, gives tips on how to successfully defend yourself against this.

Inform yourself about your rights

Compliment, flirt or even harassment? The General Equal Treatment Act clearly defines when it turns seriousness into alleged fun: Discrimination begins when the dignity of a person is violated. This can e.g. be a touch, but also a comment or showing pornographic footage.



Inform your employer and contact the complaints office

It is very important to inform your boss, because the employer has the duty to protect the harassed person. If your boss does not take you seriously or even the one who approaches you inappropriately, then go to the complaints office.

Get witnesses

Many men who impose themselves have probably tried similar things with other employees. Just tell your colleagues if a certain colleague has behaved strangely to them before.

Collect evidence

Guide, e.g. Logs of when, how often and where sexual harassment occurs. Be sure to pick up inappropriate SMS or frivolous emails to prove that you have been harassed.



Do not be silent

Be aware that sexual harassment is no triviality. According to studies, every second woman has been sexually harassed before? It's good that now a public debate has been launched that encourages women to talk about it.

Areas of suggestive jokes halt

Many women feel like a "joke" if you do not joke about slippery comments, but one thing is for sure: personalities have lost nothing in the workplace. Tip: Do not respond to stupid remarks by your counterpart by countering with a similarly tasteless spell. If you join in, you will be on the same level as your interlocutor.

Be clear

Not only send defense signals, but verbally make clear that you feel harassed by the behavior of your colleague or boss. If a simple "I'm feeling annoyed" by it is not enough, make the man clear the legal consequences of his behavior.



Do not seek the blame on you

"It's up to me ...", "My rock was probably too short" or "Did I send the wrong signals?" Do not seek out the blame for sexual harassment on yourself and realize that "proper" clothing in a dignified way does not matter anyway.

If necessary, initiate legal action

Take a lawyer and take legal action against the harasser. He faces consequences that can range from a warning to termination. The Federal Anti-Discrimination Office is pleased to offer legal advice.

Do not worry about your career

Unfortunately, the number of unreported cases of sexual harassment is still high, as many women do not dare to address these incidents. Especially when the attacks come from clients or supervisors, many women like more than they need. Do not worry about your career, but resist the harassment? that also encourages other women.

More information is available from the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency.

Understanding Sexual Harassment | Sexual Harassment (March 2024).



Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Mobbing, Job, Workplace