What would you do if you overheard a coworker hitting on a new employee?
Before you begin (trigger warning)
While discussing gender-based violence (GBV) can be important for healing and raising awareness, it's also essential to protect yourself and be mindful of personal triggers. Triggers can be experiences that cause a person to recall a traumatic event. For example, graphic images of violence might be triggering for some people. If anything here triggers you, it's okay to step back and focus on your safety and well-being. Seek out resources if needed, or try self-care strategies (PDF) like exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones to feel grounded and in control.
Scenario 10
Read the following scenario and consider whether this would be GBV. Then, respond with what you would do in this situation.
You notice a coworker chatting with the new hire of a restaurant you work at.
At first it seems like normal small talk but then you hear him tell her that he can't stop thinking about how good her body looks in her uniform.
Your coworker then says he is willing to put in a “good word with the boss” if the new employee is willing to keep things “friendly” between them.
Scenario 10 complete
Well done! You've completed Scenario 10: Harassment at work. You now understand that GBV can happen anywhere to anyone, including in workplaces through unwanted comments and offering perks in exchange for compliance or threats for non-compliance. You also know how to recognize it and how to support a coworker if you see it happening to them.
It's important to note that acts of GBV like this can continue, escalate over time, and can lead to other forms of GBV.
Remember, these three steps are essential in addressing instances of GBV.
