What Is Considered Virtual Workplace Harassment?

An initially perceived benefit of transitioning to remote work is that incidents of workplace harassment would decrease. Unfortunately, workplace harassment can occur wherever you work, even at home. The first step is to identify these behaviors to protect yourself and promote a healthy work environment. An Orange County harassment lawyer with Elite Employment Law can help you take steps to combat virtual workplace harassment through civil action.

What is Virtual Workplace Harassment?

Virtual harassment is the same type of inappropriate behavior that once generally occurred in person at an employee’s work but is now taking place online. Harassment is inappropriate or unwelcome behavior against a coworker carried out virtually, in emails, collaboration tools, messaging programs, video meetups, and other online platforms that connect employees.

Types of Virtual Workplace Harassment

Virtual workplace harassment may be any of the following actions by a coworker directed at you online:

  • Cyberbullying: Aggressive behaviors with the intent of harm, humiliation, or intimidation.
  • Invasion of privacy: Having your personal information shared, monitored, or recorded during virtual interactions by a coworker and disseminated to others without your consent
  • Sexual harassment: Receiving sexually explicit content in online messages, emails, or videos
  • Hostile work environment: Virtual communication that impairs the average employee’s ability to work. Communications can be sexual, discriminatory, or aggressive and do not have to be targeted at the recipient but at groups of individuals based on a protected class.

As virtual work becomes more prevalent, other types of virtual workplace harassment may emerge. Harassment in the workplace goes against federal and California law. Discussing unwanted virtual behavior with an Orange County harassment attorney offers insight into the laws that protect you, empowering your workplace rights.

Signs of Virtual Harassment at Work

Experiencing any of the following behaviors is uncomfortable and can be frightening. While harassment is unwelcome anywhere, the lines of appropriate behavior may become more skewed when people combine personal spaces with work. These behaviors may indicate you or a coworker are the target of virtual harassment:

  • Inappropriate advances: Online communication or requests that are sexual in nature
  • Persistent unsolicited communication: Online messages, emails, requests, or calls with the intent to initiate communication unrelated to work
  • Being the subject of harmful information: Targeted rumors or false information may be spread through a digital platform with the intent to harm you
  • Online exclusion: Being left out of critical communication may be an intentional act of harassment
  • Hostile communication: Any online contact that is aggressive or demeaning

Review employee policies to become familiar with inappropriate behaviors in the workplace, including a virtual environment.

Documenting Virtual Workplace Harassment

Online harassment is often more straightforward to document because of its digital trail. To address virtual workplace harassment, take these steps:

  • Keep all harassing online correspondence. Make a log of virtual meeting requests. Record the dates and times of messages without a timestamp.
  • Record the name and contact information of coworkers who witness the virtual harassment or experience similar aggressive behaviors.
  • Describe each incident in writing and include its impact on your work
  • Report the incident to human resources and follow up in writing
  • Contact an Orange County harassment attorney

Ending Virtual Workplace Harassment in Orange County

Workplace harassment is unlawful. Elite Employment Law strives to empower employees in various work environments to protect their rights and end workplace harassment. Schedule a free case evaluation to discuss an incident of virtual workplace harassment.