You've Got to Be Kidding!: How to Keep Your Job Without Losing Your Integrity

Employers Step Up—Most of the Time

Most employers have established training programs to deal with workplace harassment. They hope that by educating their employees, they are less likely to engage in conduct that might offend coworkers. Ideally, unacceptable behavior is quickly identified and corrected so that everyone can get back to work. However, legitimate complaints are still ignored, and unjust accusations are still made.

I argue for common sense on everyone’s part. An off-color joke may not be offensive to one person, but the same joke may send another individual into fits. It’s no wonder employees are often clueless about what they can and cannot say. Let’s all pay attention to each other, be aware when our behavior bumps up against someone’s boundary, and do our best to work with each other with respect. Start with an unambiguous policy about abuse, bullying, and harassment; communicate that policy with an across-the-board training program; and respond to rumblings of trouble promptly.