How to act in harassment situations
In this chapter, we will deal with harassment cases and present some instructions on how
to process the situations. We will first go through instructions for those who
have experienced harassment and for those accused of harassment. After this, we
will explain how organisations can process harassment situations.
2. Instructions for those accused of harassment
- If you are told that you are behaving inappropriately, stop the unwanted behaviour. Even if you believe that your behaviour has been appropriate, respect the other person’s experience and boundaries.
- Try to understand the other party’s perspective and the aspect of your behaviour that was considered inappropriate. Apologise.
- If the situation is investigated further, be constructive. It is good to resolve the situation as soon as possible to put an end to the unwanted behaviour and avoid other problems.
- You have the right to be heard and present your own view of the situation. It is possible that the other person feels your behaviour was harassment even if it factually was not. The situation must be investigated objectively and neutrally in an atmosphere where an accusation does not automatically make anyone guilty.
- Remember that harassment as defined in legislation constitutes discrimination. If your behaviour meets the criteria for harassment, you may have to answer for your actions in court or pay damages to the person you harassed.
- Remember to look after your own wellbeing. If you want want to discuss the incident with someone, you can also contact the FSHS’s services or some other provider of help. You can seek help from the party you feel is the most natural for yourself.