Harassment in the Workplace

Harassment manifests in a number of different ways, including verbal, physical, visual, and sexual. Verbal harassment involves racial slurs, religious epithets, or disparaging physical remarks. Physical harassment is defined by physical abuse; this can involve injury, or it may be characterized by any restriction on an individual's physical space and movement. Meanwhile, visual harassment concern any forms of insulting visual posters, computer messages, etc. Finally, sexual harassment involves any unwanted sexual overtures. Common causes of harassment involve gender, age, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, physical disability, socioeconomic status, or one's family. Harassment often has pervasive consequences beyond the act(s) committed, and it affects worker productivity and morale.

The supervisor has a responsibility to take immediate action when harassment surfaces. People may be sensitive or embarrassed to report harassment, so the supervisor should constantly be aware of the potential for harassment and quell any instances before they develop....
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