Witnessing a colleague face sexual harassment can be deeply troubling. You may feel unsure about how to help without making the situation worse. Supporting someone through this horrible experience requires sensitivity, respect and thoughtful action.
Being an effective ally means offering valuable support while empowering your co-worker to decide how to proceed. It’s essential to understand how you can make a difference when someone you work with faces sexual harassment.
Recognize the signs and listen with empathy
Sexual harassment often causes visible changes in a person’s behavior and well-being. Being observant can help you identify when a colleague might need support. Here are some red flags to look for:
- Sudden withdrawal from workplace social activities
- Decreased productivity or concentration
- Visible discomfort around specific colleagues
- Increased absences or tardiness
- Changes in appearance or confidence level
- Anxiety or stress reactions in certain situations
When approaching your colleague, do so privately and without pressure. Simply letting them know you’ve noticed something seems wrong and that you’re available to listen can open the door to conversation.
How to help without taking over
Supporting your colleague means empowering them while respecting their privacy and autonomy. Your role is to help, not pressure them to take action. The best ways to support co-workers include:
- Asking them directly how you can help, rather than assuming
- Offering to document incidents you witness
- Providing information about company policies without pushing action
- Accompanying them to HR meetings if they request it
- Helping research resources like employee assistance programs
- Maintaining strict confidentiality about what they share
Remember that the harassed person should maintain control over how their situation is handled. Pushing someone to report this illegal behavior before they’re ready can cause additional trauma.
Stand firm against harassment culture
Being an ally extends beyond supporting one person. You can help create a workplace where harassment isn’t tolerated by proactive steps, such as:
- Speaking up when you witness inappropriate behavior, even when it’s framed as “just joking”
- Don’t participate in workplace gossip about harassment situations
- Challenge victim-blaming statements when you hear them
Your consistent stance against harassment helps create a safer environment for everyone. If a colleague decides to take legal action, having supportive witnesses can strengthen their case. Consulting a knowledgeable sexual harassment attorney is crucial for helping your colleague (and you) address workplace harassment effectively.
