If possible, what should an employee do first when harassment occurs?

• A. Immediately notify the individual(s) committing such harassment that the behavior is not appropriate
• B. File a suit
• C. Ignore it
• D. Report to the media

Answer: (B)

When harassment happens, the priority is to address it through the proper channels so the incident is officially documented and investigated. Reporting the behavior to a supervisor, manager, or human resources creates an official record, triggers a formal review, and ensures the organization takes appropriate action under its policies and applicable laws. Directly confronting the harasser can escalate the situation or put the employee at risk, and it often does not produce the formal documentation needed for an investigation. Ignoring the behavior allows it to continue and can create a hostile or unsafe workplace. Going public with the issue or pursuing a lawsuit without first using internal reporting processes bypasses established safeguards and can complicate or delay resolution. If there are immediate safety concerns, seek help from a trusted authority right away, and document what happened with dates, times, details, and any witnesses to support the report.