Nearly a third of early career researchers have experienced bullying or violence at their workplace. Veera Keski-Säntti, a lawyer for FUURT, explains what to do if you face harassment at your workplace.
Have you encountered harassment in your academic community? You are not alone. A 2024 survey for early career researchers by FUURT reveals that inappropriate behavior is alarmingly common in universities. Particularly concerning is that more than one in five early career researchers report being subjected to discrimination, bullying, or harassment by a supervisor, mentor, or other senior figure.
The Union’s legal counselling regularly receives inquiries about harassment-related situations and experiences. Many seek support and guidance for difficult situations. Next, I will explain what is meant by harassment and what steps to take if you encounter inappropriate behavior at your workplace.
Harassment endangers employee health
Legally, harassment refers to behavior that poses harm or danger to an employee’s health. Harassment is systematic and continuous negative actions or behavior. Examples of harassment include belittling and mocking remarks, continuous unjustified criticism of one’s work, and exclusion from the work community. From a supervisor, harassment may also manifest as an abuse of managerial authority.
Harassment can also occur based on grounds outlined in equality or non-discrimination laws. In the most severe cases, harassment may meet the criteria for a criminal offense.
Not all unpleasant behavior or actions are necessarily harassment. For example, it’s normal for members of a work community to have differing opinions and views, which can lead to disagreements. Presenting justified criticism or addressing work performance issues in a reasonable manner are not harassment. Some measures taken by an employer within their managerial rights may feel unpleasant, even if they do not constitute harassment.
What to do if you encounter harassment
It’s crucial to address harassment and inappropriate behavior as soon as possible to stop it from continuing and to prevent any harm to the health and work ability of the affected individual. Employers are obligated to intervene in workplace harassment once they become aware of it.
If you encounter harassment at your workplace:
- Do not remain silent. Contact shop steward, occupational safety and health representative, or your union.
- Clearly inform the harasser that you find their behavior inappropriate and that you do not accept it. Ask the harasser to stop their inappropriate behavior. If they do not stop, report it to your supervisor. If you experience harassment from your direct supervisor, inform their supervisor. Always report harassment to your employer in writing.
- Many workplaces have an internal protocol for handling harassment situations. If your workplace has such a protocol, familiarize yourself with it and follow the guidelines.
- Due to the nature of inappropriate behavior and harassment, it can sometimes be difficult to prove that it has occurred. Therefore, it’s essential to document when and how inappropriate behavior occurs. It’s also crucial to save all inappropriate messages and emails.
The employer must investigate the matter impartially from both sides of the conflict. Even the person accused of inappropriate behavior has the right to be heard and to provide their perspective on the situation.
Shop stewards and union lawyers are here to help
Often, simply talking about the situation and being heard can help those who have experienced harassment or inappropriate behavior. Shop stewards, occupational safety and health representatives, and supervisors play an important role in this. The parties involved should never be left alone.
If you experience harassment, inappropriate behavior, or bullying at your workplace, shop stewards are always available to help. They can, for example, act as support persons and help assess whether harassment or inappropriate behavior has occurred and assist in drafting a report for the employer. Shop stewards also provide information on internal workplace guidelines and practices. You can find the contact information for your workplace’s shop stewards via the Union’s e-services.
You can also get support from the union and its legal team. We help you evaluate whether the situation qualifies as harassment or inappropriate behavior in a legal sense, which should be reported to the employer. We support our members in various ways throughout the investigation process and ensure that the handling of the matter is fair and impartial for all parties involved.
If you experience harassment at your workplace, or if you are accused of inappropriate behavior, do not hesitate to contact the union’s legal counselling by phone or through the e–service.
Veera Keski-Säntti
Lawyer