Should You Report Harassment to Your Boss?

Regardless of what you decide to do, it is important to document the incident. You can find our documentation templates HERE.

• Check your employee manual on the policy and process for reporting harassment. Write down any questions you have.
• Determine what type of harassment you are experiencing or witnessing HERE.
• Determine the level of harassment you are experiencing HERE.

Only you understand the dynamics at work and in your personal life. It is important to evaluate all the information and put it into context with where you stand.

• Is your boss an ally? Is your relationship professional and productive?
• What is the standing and status of the harasser at your company?
• How is your company culture regarding harassment?
• What is the likelihood the problem will be resolved if your boss steps in?

Creating an outline of all the potential benefits and risks will help you come to a conclusion on the best way to proceed.

• What are the risks and benefits of reporting the issue to your boss?
• Here are some potential benefits and risks to consider:

Benefits of Reporting to Your Boss

• Potential to resolve the problem before it escalates
• Gets the complaint on the record
• You have an advocate on your side to help determine next steps and options within company policy
• You have another person watching out for your well being

Risks of Reporting to Your Boss

• The conversation is awkward or uncomfortable
• Your complaint is dismissed or belittled
• Your boss has the power to make things uncomfortable in unforeseen ways in the future
• You give up control to someone else

Having a goal in mind for meeting with your boss, will keep you on track before, during and after your meeting.

• What is your goal for reporting harassment to your boss? What outcome would you like to see?
• What type of acknowledgement from your harasser, do you need to hear for this case to be resolved?
• What type of ongoing commitment do you want, from the harasser and your boss, in order for this problem to be resolved?

Prepare documentation for yourself, including your timeline [see documentation templates HERE].

• Summarize how this has impacted you and your work, in writing.
• Write down your resolution proposal. (ex: I would like to see an apology, and an informal complaint added to their file, so if further issues arise, there is a record of other complaints).
• Make a copy for yourself and your boss

Prepare questions for your boss to ensure transparency:

• What is the process, as they understand it?
• How do they plan to handle your complaint?

Request a meeting to ensure privacy without interruption.

• Do not include your written complaint in the email. You want them to HEAR your complaint, your questions and your boundaries, directly from you. You don’t want them determining next steps without your input.
• You may want to request a meeting offsite to protect your privacy and minimize gossip etc.
• If you need a third party for support, or have a witness, include them in the meeting.

You must represent yourself.

• Summarize your complaint.
• Be clear about what you want your boss to accomplish on your behalf.
• Be clear about how you want them to handle your complaint.
• Be clear about what your proposed resolution is.
• Ask questions about next steps. If you don’t agree with the action plan, speak up.

• Listen to objections, explanations or excuses that are used to dismiss or minimize your complaint.
• Listen for a commitment to your proposed resolution.

• Confirm next steps
• If there is no resolution, request time to think about what was said in the meeting. Do not threaten further action.

• Send an email with meeting summary and documents shared in the meeting.
• Document meeting for your records
• Keep an eye out for continued or escalated behavior or retaliation from the harasser or your boss.
• Confirm your boss has followed through on action plan.
• Document resolution or escalation.