More and more, we hear stories in the news of workplace bullying and harassment. And although employers have an obligation to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all employees, not everyone understands what this means. Here are four things to consider if you’re not sure if workplace bullying or harassment is happening to you or one of your colleagues:

1. What is considered workplace bullying or harassment?

Any words or actions used against a person in the workplace which are intended to intimidate, embarrass or humiliate may be considered harassment or bullying. Verbal aggression, insulting someone, calling someone names or any type of “initiation” or hazing action are forms of bullying. Spreading false rumors and vandalizing someone’s belongings are also considered harassment.

2. What should you do if you experience or witness this behavior?

If you experience any type of harassment or bullying, or if you witness it happening to someone else, you should immediately report it to management. Employees have the right to feel safe in their work environment, and someone who is being mistreated in this way does not feel safe. If they can’t speak up for themselves, step forward and report the behavior right away. If it’s happening directly to you and you don’t feel safe reporting the problem, speak with someone you’re comfortable with and ask them to help you properly report the problem.

3. What is the employer obligated to do?

Employers must have procedures in place for handling any situation involving bullying or harassment in the workplace. The plan must include how the employer is going to investigate the behavior and when. They must know what will be included in the investigation and the roles and responsibilities of anyone involved with the investigation such as witnesses, employees or union reps.

Additionally, the procedure must provide for follow up of the investigation. What corrective actions are being taken, a time frame for implementation of the corrective actions and dealing with any adverse reaction to those corrective actions must all be detailed and kept in an official record of the investigation.

4. What can you do if you’re not satisfied with the outcome?

If you’ve reported workplace bullying or harassment to your employer and are not satisfied with the outcome, you should speak with an employment lawyer experienced in dealing with this type of behavior. In any instance when workplace bullying or harassment is occurring, having a paper trail to document the issue can be extremely helpful. If there are letters or emails between the employer and employee which address how the situation is being handled, an employment lawyer can use these to build a case.

An employment lawyer can guide you through the next steps with a goal of achieving satisfactory resolution. This may mean leaving the employment, or it may be gaining resolution that allows you to continue in your position with the company once the situation has been appropriately addressed.