Sexual harassment in the workplace remains a common problem throughout the country. This comes in many forms, with instances transmitted through text messaging on the rise.
If you receive a sexually charged text message from a co-worker, there are a few key steps you need to take:
- Don’t respond
- Report the incident to your employer
- Consider reporting the incident to police
Whether you contact police depends on the nature of the message, your feelings on the situation and whether your safety is in danger.
Consider the following:
- If the text is causing stress and anxiety, report it to police: You can suffer from a variety of mental illnesses as a result of sexual harassment, so it’s critical to put an end to the behavior as soon as possible.
- You’re concerned about your safety: You may have fears that a sexually harassing text message could turn into something more serious when you see the person at work.
- You’re no longer able to do your job: You have the right to work in an environment free of sexual harassment. If the person’s behavior is affecting your ability to do your job, it’s time to stand up to them (possibly with the help of the police).
You don’t necessarily have to report a sexually harassing text from a co-worker to police, but your employer must be brought up to speed.
Depending on the circumstances and how your employer reacts, you may be able to take legal action. For example, this could come into play if your employer terminated your employment for reporting the incident. Don’t hesitate to protect your legal rights and safety.
