This lesson defines harassment and microaggressions and provides real-world examples across protected characteristics to help learners recognize harmful behavior and its impact.
Recognizing Harassment and Microaggressions: Definitions and Examples
This lesson defines harassment and microaggressions and provides real-world examples across protected characteristics to help learners recognize harmful behavior and its impact.
Definition and scope
Harassment includes unwelcome behavior based on protected characteristics that creates a hostile work environment or unreasonably interferes with work performance. Harassment can be verbal, written, physical, or digital, and it can occur in person or online. Microaggressions are subtle, often unconscious remarks or actions that convey bias, exclusion, or demeaning stereotypes. Both forms harm individuals and erode trust in teams.
Examples across protected characteristics
- Racial or ethnic jokes about appearance or intelligence
- Gender based assumptions about abilities or roles
- Religious stereotypes in meetings or messages
- Disability related comments about accessibility or inclusion
- Remarks about sexual orientation or gender identity
Impact versus intent
Impact matters more than intent. Remarks or actions that demean or exclude can cause fear, disengagement, and reduced performance, even if the person did not intend harm. Acknowledging impact and addressing it promptly helps maintain psychological safety.
Recognition checklist
- Note if a pattern repeats or targets a protected characteristic
- Assess whether the behavior creates a hostile environment
- Consider whether the incident warrants a confidential report