If you don't see things his way, is your job at risk?Is a coworker taking credit for your ideas?These issues can be difficult to deal with at the workplace.It's time to act.Put important details about your complaint in a letter to HR.If there is a complaint form, use it.
Step 1: Make a list of workplace harassment.
Sexual harassment is one form of workplace harassment.Sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, or genetic information can be used to harass you.Derogative remarks or slurs based on the protected characteristic intimidation threats and physical assaults telling offensive jokes are examples of harassment.
Step 2: Tell us about the harassment.
You should give Human Resources as much information as possible.You should write down who harassed you and their relationship to you.It's possible to be harassed by a supervisor or co-worker.The harassment can come from someone who is the same sex as you.The date, time, and location of each harassing act.Write down what the person said and how you responded.The harassment was witnessed by someone.They should write down their names and job titles.You have evidence of the harassment.You might have harassing emails, voice mails, or notes.
Step 3: Your letter needs to be formatted.
The letter should be similar to a standard business letter.The name of the Human Resources contact should be included in the salutation.If you don't know, call and ask.
Step 4: You should introduce yourself and your purpose.
You should give an idea of why you are writing in the first paragraph.You should state that you want to lodge a complaint about harassment.
Step 5: The facts of the harassment should be laid out.
Get to the point by being clear.There is a harassment problem that needs to be investigated.Explain where the harassment took place and who witnessed it.The easiest way to understand the incidents is in chronological order.In larger organizations, HR might not know everyone.Stick to the facts and identify who they are, e.g., "Jason Jones, who works in the cubicle next to me, saw our boss make the obscene gesture."You should not charge that you can't back up with proof, such as your written memories or a witness.Don't speculate about the motivation of your boss or coworker.You do not know that.
Step 6: How did you reply?
This is important.If it is not welcome, harassment is illegal.You haven't been harassed according to the law if you welcomed the harassing behavior.You should state what you said or did.You might have told someone not to touch you.Explain if you tried to resolve the issue.If you met with your harasser, you might have asked them to stop making sexually-explicit jokes.Explain how the harassment made you feel.You might have had trouble working in a team with someone who was harassing you, which caused you to skip work or perform below your usual standards.
Step 7: Provide a solution.
What you want from HR should be stated at the end of the letter.You could be transferred to a different department.HR can investigate and punish your harasser if you request it.You should probably not tell HR to fire your harasser.That is their decision to make.Remember to thank HR for their time at the end of the letter.If you want to sign the letter, insert "best" or "sincerely."
Step 8: Don't use offensive language.
You should try not to show your anger.You can't get help if you use foul language.The person reading the letter might become angry at you.Instead of writing, I am angry and my boss is a bigot.Jones yells at me using racial slurs.
Step 9: The letter needs to be sent to HR.
Make a copy of your letter after you sign it.Keep any supporting documentation, such as emails, voicemails, notes, or witness statements.If HR opens an investigation, you may need to share them.
Step 10: Make a list of why you want to complain.
Many issues should be brought to the attention of Human Resources.You might want to complain about the following: You haven't been paid properly, your company might be withholding pay, not calculating it correctly, etc.You have not received what you were promised.You are being bullied by your boss or coworkers.Abuse doesn't mean workplace harassment.The harassment must be based on a protected characteristic.You should report someone who might bully you because they don't like you.A coworker might say something that makes you uncomfortable.A joke that is sexually charged is not sexual harassment.There is no reason to be angry with it.It is possible to report inappropriate behavior that makes you uncomfortable.
Step 11: Get facts.
Imagine if the HR employee read your letter.They don't have a reason to believe you.You have to fill your complaint letter with facts.What happened when and where?Write down what happened if you have been a victim.Your immediate supervisor, coworker, employee in a different part of the organization are involved.You tried to resolve the issue.Did you speak to a supervisor?Do you already ask for help?Write down the names of people you talked to.The responses you received should be summarized.
Step 12: Put your letter in its proper place.
You should use a business letter format.The Times New Roman 12 point is a good way to format a word processing document.Block paragraphing is also used.If you want your letter to be addressed to HR, contact them.It's a good idea to read "Dear Mr. Jones" or something similar.
Step 13: Start the letter.
It is a good idea to get right to the point.In order to make a complaint, you need to identify the substance of the complaint.You should identify yourself as well if you work in a large organization.You can begin by saying that you are a data processing clerk in the accounting office.I am writing to complain that my pay has not been accurate for two months.
Step 14: Provide details.
The reader should be given enough information to investigate.You should identify the pay periods if you haven't been paid correctly.If you are being bullied, you should give a chronological discussion of the major incidents.You can give more information later.It's possible to write something like the following: "There have been three major bully incidents and I am happy to discuss them in person with you."
Step 15: How have you dealt with the issue?
Let HR know what efforts you've made to fix the problem and why you don't like the results.If you have spoken to a supervisor, state so.Provide dates.You can write, "On January 12 I told my supervisor, Kevin Jones, about my pay being wrong."Although he said he would look into it, my pay hasn't changed.We are approaching the two-month mark and I am still not being paid properly.If you are being bullied, explain how it has affected your health.Do you have to take time off or see a doctor?
Step 16: Put a request for help in the end of the letter.
If they have questions, ask HR to investigate.Keep a copy of the letter for your records if you sign it beneath the word "sincerely".You can include the phone number if you don't think HR has it.
Step 17: Meet an HR investigator.
Depending on the severity of your complaint, an investigator might be appointed.You might need to sit down for an interview.Provide supporting documentation as soon as possible.You should expect other people in the organization to know what you have written, even if you are told that the interview is confidential.The resolution HR reaches may be disappointing.Don't be surprised if management is let off the hook with only a slap on the wrist.
Step 18: You can participate in mediation.
If you want to resolve disputes, Human Resources might have a mediation program.The person who is having problems with you will meet with a neutral third party in mediation.The mediator is not a judge.They can help the two sides talk and listen to each other.The purpose of mediation is for both sides to walk away feeling good.If you have been harassed, you shouldn't have to mediation with your employer.You should find an attorney and discuss the next steps.Conciliation is similar to mediation.The conciliator is more involved in decision-making than a mediation.
Step 19: There is a harassment charge.
There are claims of workplace harassment investigated by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.You can file a complaint with them.There is a state agency that investigates harassment.Don't delay.You have 180 days to file a discrimination charge with the EEOC.You may be given more time by your state agency.Most employers are covered by federal EEOC law.Smaller employers may only be covered by state law.If your employer has fewer than 15 employees, you should complain to the state agency.The assessment system on the EEOC website can be used to determine if you should file a complaint with a state agency.
Step 20: You should hire an attorney.
You need help protecting your rights.If your employer retaliates against you, a lawyer can help you.Ask for a referral from your local bar association.You can find your nearest bar association by visiting the American Bar Association.Ask for a lawyer.Ask the lawyer how much he charges.You can get a copy of your complaint letter to HR by preparing for your consultation.You will discuss your case at the consultation.Some conduct does not rise to the level of legal harassment.One off-color joke is not likely to qualify.