There are many kinds of harassment that can take place in the workplace. One of the most difficult to investigate is when a person in a position of power harasses an employee.
This is often referred to as “power harassment.” It can take many forms but the main element is that the person doing the harassing has power over the person being harassed.
Do you know how to recognize all the types of workplace harassment?
Some types of harassment are subtle, but no less damaging that the more overt types. Download this free cheat sheet to ensure you have a thorough understanding of workplace harassment, making you better equipped to address and prevent all types of harassment.
Understanding Power Harassment in the Workplace
A simple definition of power harassment is any kind of behavior in which a superior takes advantage of his or her position in the workplace to cause co-workers physical pain or emotional distress.
This can be due to superiority by means of relative work position, physical size, or otherwise. Power harassment also includes the actions of a supervisor toward a subordinate, interactions between equal colleagues, and even the actions of a subordinate toward a supervisor, especially if is due to physical size.
Power Harassment Examples: What to Look Out For
The most common example is a boss mistreating an employee when he/she is in a bad mood. This can manifest as condescending reactions to employee questions, shifting the blame on employees for their own incompetency, and withholding critical information from an employee that he/she needs to know.
Other types of power harassment include:
- Physical attacks including acts of force or violence
- Psychological attacks including intimidation or verbal abuse
- Segregation or any kind of ostracism
- Excessive demands (e.g. assigning work that is impossible to perform or obviously unnecessary)
- Demeaning demands(e.g. assigning work clearly below the employee's capability or not assigning work at all)
- Intrusion upon the individual, including the employee's personal life
RELATED: How Do the World's Most Ethical Companies Prevent Harassment?
How to Deal with Power Harassment: A Step-by-Step Process
Since the employer is automatically liable for harassment by a supervisor that results in a negative employment action (such as termination, failure to promote or hire, and loss of wages), it is important that every complaint be investigated immediately and steps to end the harassment be taken as soon as possible.
Steps that should be taken to prevent power harassment in the workplace include:
- Make it clear that power harassment in the workplace will not be tolerated.
- Establish appropriate employment regulations and guidelines and ensure that all employees are aware of and understand them.
- Provide training on how to prevent and deal with power harassment.
- Provide offenders with training to prevent any re-occurrence.
RELATED: The Complete Guide to Workplace Harassment Investigations
While there is no way to totally prevent power harassment, taking these steps will help to prevent an incident, improve investigations, and protect the company in the event of legal issues.
FAQs on Power Harassment
1. What is an example of abuse of power in the workplace?
An example of abuse of power in the workplace is when a supervisor mistreats an employee due to being in a bad mood, which can manifest as condescending reactions, shifting blame onto employees, or withholding critical information.
2. Is abuse of power a form of harassment?
Yes, abuse of power can be considered a form of harassment, especially when a person in a position of authority takes advantage of their power to cause physical pain or emotional distress to others in the workplace.
3. What are 5 examples of coercive power?
Examples of coercive power in the workplace may include physical attacks or threats, verbal abuse or intimidation, segregation or ostracism, excessive or demeaning demands, and intrusion into an individual's personal life.
4. What are the signs of power harassment?
Power harassment involves abusive behavior from someone in a position of authority. It is often characterized by excessive criticism, unreasonable demands, verbal or physical abuse, and isolating or excluding the target. It can also include threatening the victim with job loss or withholding career advancement opportunities.
5. How to prove power harassment?
To prove power harassment, document specific incidents with dates, times, and details. Collect any emails, messages, or witness testimonies that show a pattern of abuse. Reporting the issue to HR or a legal professional can also help in gathering and validating evidence.
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