This is a very fine line. You and your buddies may think it’s hilarious to yell your co-workers name, Harry Wang, and laugh each time you see him, but that officially is harassment. Sure, it doesn’t really fit into any of the characteristics protected by federal law (race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, and citizenship status). However, this is likely expressly forbidden in your employee handbook. Companies usually strictly enforce this not because they don’t want you getting in trouble, but because there have been incidents of the company being held liable for the damages. Usually when an employee is pissed enough to file a suit, the teasers are included. If the victim can prove that the teasers created a hostile and offensive workplace, then you’re probably in for a lifetime of regrets.
Is Teasing Considered Workplace Harassment?
February 4th, 2008 | Workplace
1 comment so far ↓
Hi,
Thanks for bringing this up.
I’m not a lawyer, but as a consultant I work with companies to convert cultures of hostility, abuse and bullying into cultures with better attitudes and behavior. Of course, teasing is part of the problem.
My rule of thumb: Harassment is in the eyes of the teased, the butt of the jokes and the bullied person. If you’ve been the butt and don’t like it, your standards rule. Good companies, with “High Attitudes,” don’t allow such behavior. In addition to the personal effects of teasing, bullying, verbal abuse and emotional intimidation, there’s a tremendous cost to companies if they allow “Low Attitudes.”
There are many legal ways good leaders can convert or rid their companies of such bad actors. If you’re the butt of such behavior, do something about. Confront it, go through channels and if your company won’t establish high standards of behavior, take your talents, skills and productivity to a better company.
Best wishes,
Ben
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