harassment
Last updatedDefinition
Harassment is similar to bullying in that it is rooted in a power imbalance, but it also has an element of bias. Conduct may be based on age, gender, sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, or genetic information. It can involve offensive jokes, name-calling, insults, provocative pictures, threats, and other hostile actions. Harassment can interfere with someone’s ability to work or get an education, and damage a person’s sense of well-being.
Individuals can have different ideas of what behavior is considered hostile. If a target of harassment speaks out, a perpetrator may accuse them of overreacting or not having a sense of humor. In addition, bystanders may not have the background knowledge to recognize innuendos or microaggressions. For example, a Black employee who reports a coworker for commenting on her hair may have to explain to HR the history of hair-based discrimination against Black people before they understand why the coworker’s comments are not just rude but racist.
Perpetrators don’t need to have hostile intent for their actions to be considered harassment. An individual can speak or behave in a prejudiced manner without recognizing the harm they are causing. Likewise, a person can be harmed by discrimination even if they are not the specific target. For example, if employees share transphobic jokes about a celebrity, that can still create a hostile environment for their transgender peer, even though he’s not part of the conversation. A perpetrator’s motivation does not erase harassment’s impact on the victim.
Legal definitions for types of harassment can vary by state and don’t always match usage in everyday conversation (for example, “That person at the coffee shop was totally harassing me”). It’s important for media coverage to be clear and specific about whether instances of harassment meet legal criteria. For cases involving litigation, directly quoting court documents allows you to establish details of a given case even when facts are disputed and outcomes are pending.
Additional resources
- Harassment (US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
- What is the Difference Between Bullying and Harassment? (National Bullying Prevention Center)
Summary
Harassment is hurtful speech or behavior, often intended to frighten, anger, or humiliate a person. It is typically rooted in bias against a marginalized group. It can involve offensive jokes, name-calling, insults, unwanted contact, provocative pictures, threats, and other hostile actions. Legal definitions for types of harassment can vary by state and don’t always match its use in everyday conversation (for example, “That person at the coffee shop was harassing me”). It’s important for media coverage to be clear and specific about whether instances of harassment meet legal criteria. For cases involving litigation, directly quoting court documents can help establish details of a given case even when facts are disputed and outcomes are pending.