Workplace harassment can take many forms, and one of the most harmful types involves harassment based on cultural background. In Washington State, there are laws that protect employees from this form of mistreatment.
It is important to recognize the signs of harassment related to cultural background so you can fully protect your workplace rights.
What is cultural background harassment?
Harassment based on cultural background can include offensive comments, actions or jokes that target your ethnicity national origin, or cultural practices. These acts can range from inappropriate comments about accents to more severe forms of harassment like exclusion or threats. In Washington, any actions that create a hostile work environment are against workplace harassment laws.
What does the law say about workplace harassment?
Washington’s workplace harassment laws state any negative remarks about someone’s perceived background can qualify as harassment under the law. This means that you have protection against discrimination based on your national origin as well as all other protected aspects of your background. You have the right to speak up when facing harassment.
If you do experience cultural harassment, document the incidents and report them to the human resources department. Employers have a responsibility to take action when they become aware of any form of workplace harassment. Washington State law encourages proactive steps to address these issues. This helps ensure that no one feels discriminated against or humiliated due to their cultural background.
Cultural diversity enriches workplaces, and harassment based on cultural differences has no place in any professional environment. Recognizing the signs of cultural harassment is the first step in combating it.