defining harassment
HighPlains
3 Posts
We have a workplace harassment policy (inclusive of all prohibited scenarios). Is there a way to define work place harassment (hostile)? We recently had an employee file a harassment complaint of their supervisor, when the supervisor confronted the employee regarding job performance. The confrontation was in private and tempers flared with both employee and supervisor. The day following the meeting, the employee filed a workplace harassment complaint. I think this was a performance issue and think harassment is more than a one time confrontation by a supervisor and would like to know if there is some suggested language that could eliminate frivilous complaints, such as this. the employee is a union member, the supervisor is not.
Comments
In the near term, even though a "harassment" complaint has been lodged, it will need to be investigated and you'll burn a lot of wasted time trying to deal with the matter even though it is frivolous. Been there, done that, have the T-shirt. Good luck.
Investigation might just be getting with the employee to get the details on what occurred, then talking to the supervisor. In the end, you will probably find the claim not substantiated -- which may stop this employee from running to HR in the future.
But the supervisor should not have lost his or her temper with the employee. So this could be a training moment for the supervisor about appropriate counseling techniques.
Good Luck!
Harassment is defined as "any objectionable act, comment or display that demeans, belittles or causes personal humiliation or embarrassment, or any act of intimidation or threat". I hope this helps.
Let me know if you guys have other opinions on this.