Harassment can be presented in blatant gender based violence, or sexual harassment or workplace bulling. Sometimes it takes the form of quid pro quo harassment or power harassment, or mental harassment. Whichever form it takes, workplace harassment is a fact, and there are harassment laws to protect you. 

Types of harassment often seen at work:

Sexual harassment in the workplace is not necessarily physical harassment, such as a person touch in you inappropriate places – it extends to any unwelcome and unwanted sexual remarks; and/or unwanted physical advances in a workplace situation. That means it can also be verbal sexual harassment, extending to pornography and the telling / sending of sexually explicit/oriented pictures and writings. Sexual orientation harassment (most commonly gay harassment or LGBTQ harassment) are also considered sexual harassment at the workplace. 

Harassment can occur in: verbal harassment, physical harassment, power harassment, mental harassment, the list is almost endless. As are euphemisms for it, such as chauvinistic behaviour, sexism and favouritism/partnership in the workplace (such as cat calling or stereotyping) 

Harassment is also not just limited to a single type of harassment. Most often the harasser is in a position of power and will abuse employees in multiple ways, and just for power kicks.  This creates a hostile and intolerable work environment and conditions for the person being harassed.

Discrimination in the workplace can also be considered a form of harassment, and is a very serious matter. Racial discrimination, sexual bigotry, gender bias, intolerance, unfairness, and inequity often bridge the gap spanning both Labour and Criminal matters. 

The underlying common threat is that you, or your colleagues are being unfairly treated at work, by an individual or a group of individuals.  

Below we discus reporting harassment and reporting discrimination: 

what are your rights when being victimized in the workplace? 

What is the process to report inappropriate conduct?

Workplace harassment laws in South Africa