Understanding Workplace Harassment: Definitions and Scope

Workplace harassment refers to unwelcome conduct that targets an employee's protected characteristics or personal attributes. It creates a hostile or intimidating environment and may occur in person, via email, chat, or other digital channels.

Key elements include unwelcome behavior, a power dynamic, and a sustained impact on the work environment or performance.

• Unwelcome behavior based on race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected traits
• Patterns or repeated incidents that persist after a request to stop
• Effects on safety, dignity, focus, morale, and job satisfaction

Harassment can take many forms, including verbal remarks, actions, visuals, or online messages. A single incident may be serious, but ongoing conduct is more likely to violate policy.