Workplace Harassment Is an Epidemic, and It’s Time to Treat It That Way

During flu season, workplaces offer flu shots to employees, hang posters with tips for guarding against the flu and preventing its spread, and educate employees to recognize early symptoms. Employers do not wait helplessly for employees to get sick; they proactively invest in and implement these evidence-based prevention measures to keep their workplaces healthy and productive. Why don't we address harassment in the workplace like we do the flu, with this same prevention-focused approach? Research indicates that the incidence of workplace harassment has reached epidemic proportions. And given the broad impact of harassment on the health and well-being of survivors, organizational cultures, and business outcomes alike, the urgency to act is needed. As HR professionals, it's critical that we all work to help our organizations prevent damaging incidents such as sexual harassment from occurring in the first place even if these incidents stem entirely from behaviors and attitudes rather than viruses or contagions.