What to do when HR is not on your side?

Your company may have procedures in place for handling an issue with HR. Be sure that you are aware of all of the steps that are required and that you are following them to the letter. Again, have documentation of all steps that you are taking. If HR refuses or fails to help, you may need to escalate your complaint.

Most companies have additional protocols in place for taking an issue beyond HR. There may be an anonymous hotline that you are supposed to call or some other process. Follow these procedures and keep records of all communication. You want to be able to show proof that HR did not take appropriate measures to solve your issue.

If there is illegal activity involved with your complaint and you are being ignored, you may need to go to an outside government agency such as EEOC or OSHA. Any complaints you have previously filed can be used as evidence. This is why it is so important to maintain records of your complaint.

You may also want to consult an employment lawyer to see if you have a case against your workplace and find out what your rights are. While there are no specific laws against workplace bullying, you may have a case if discrimination, a hostile work environment, or sexual harassment are involved.

Sexual harassment is one of the most common types of workplace harassment. If you are experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace, be sure to document the following:

• The actions or comments that are unwelcome. You must be offended by these actions or comments. This means that you cannot find them welcoming or humorous, and no sexual relationship can exist between the parties involved

• Each instance of the behavior. In most cases, the behavior needs to be consistent or serious in order for the work environment to be considered hostile.

• Your reaction to the behavior. It is important that you have addressed the harasser and told them to stop their behavior. Make it clear that their actions are unwelcome.

Regardless of whether the behavior in the workplace is illegal or simply just toxic, consider finding another place of employment. Keep in mind that if you are pursuing a lawsuit, it is better to be fired than to quit in some cases. Your company can claim that you left on your own and that you faced no real mistreatment.