What should an employee do if they witness sexual harassment?

Reporting the incident to a supervisor or human resources (HR) is critical when an employee witnesses sexual harassment. This action ensures that the appropriate authorities within the organization are made aware of the situation, allowing them to investigate and take necessary measures to address it effectively. Organizations typically have established protocols for handling harassment claims to foster a safe and respectful workplace environment. Reporting helps protect the victim and contributes to creating a culture of accountability.

Ignoring the issue fails to acknowledge the seriousness of the behavior and allows harassment to continue unchecked. Discussing the incident anonymously online does not address the problem within the workplace and could lead to misinformation or further harm. Confronting the harasser directly can put the witness in a vulnerable position and may escalate the situation, especially if the harasser retaliates. Therefore, the most responsible and effective course of action is to report the harassment through the proper channels.