Abuse in the workplace can come in many forms and from many people: a co-worker who makes inappropriate sexual remarks to you, a boss who coerces you into performing unethical or illegal business transactions, or a supervisor who keeps you until 8:00 pm twice a week without overtime pay because she can't get herself organized. Regardless of whether it's sexual, physical, emotional or psychological abuse from a co-worker or supervisor, you can take steps to resolve the situation.
If you are represented by a union, talk to your shop steward or union rep as soon as the abuse becomes an issue. Union grievance procedures usually have a time limit, so don't tie your rep's hands by hoping things will improve on their own.
Start keeping a written record, including dates, of instances of abuse and what you did to combat it. Bring it with you when you take the following steps.
Take your grievances to somebody in charge. If talking directly to the abuser doesn't work or if you feel too threatened to speak to your abuser, share your concerns with somebody in authority. This might be your supervisor, the abuser's supervisor or somebody higher up in the company such as a CEO or vice president. Begin by consulting your company's written policy on harassment and abuse and use the language there when describing your problem.
Talk to your abuser about your complaints. Admittedly, confronting people can be uncomfortable and even downright frightening. However, if you dislike how you are being treated, addressing the situation directly and openly may be the easiest way to resolve it. The abuser might not be completely aware of his or her actions, or could enjoy taking advantage of people who don't stand up for themselves.
If possible, state your objection immediately after the remark or behavior in an objective way and in as public a venue as possible without unnecessarily embarrassing the abuser. You needn't threaten the abuser, but make it clear you know the abuse is against company policy and federal law.
If your problem concerns unpaid overtime, contact the local number for the U.S. Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division. You can obtain that information by visiting: http://www.dol.gov/whd/contact_us.htm. If your problem concerns illegal discrimination or sexual harrassment, call the local number for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. That information can be found on: http://archive.eeoc.gov/offices.html. Both numbers are found in the federal government pages of the phone book or online. The employees of these agencies enforce labor law and they should be able to stop the abuse and maybe even get you some back pay. You don't have to pay them to do that. It's their job. But the wheels of justice grind slowly.
Contact Human Resources, if your workplace is large enough to have such a department. If you haven't uncovered a written policy against harassment or abuse, make that your first question. Again, use the language in the policy to describe your situation and outline the steps you have taken thus far.
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