![]() If you’re being reported for harassment, it’s highly likely that the accuser has their own trove of evidence, whether you’re being accused of a hostile work environment or quid pro quo harassment. They can inform you about what you should expect from the investigation or what evidence you need to defend yourself. Your HR department should be trained to handle situations like these. They can provide you with guidelines on how to defend yourself and sometimes even mediate if the harassment charge is a simple misunderstanding. If you have an internal HR department, it’s highly likely that they’ll be doing the investigation. Even if you think it’s a misunderstanding, refrain from confronting the accuser.Ĭonsult the Human Resources department to see what you can do to resolve the matter according to your company’s workplace harassment policy. If the accuser has a grudge against you, they could especially misinterpret your words and paint you unfavorably.Ī conversation between you and your accuser to “clear the air” isn’t a good idea in most cases. However, the conversation can take a turn fairly quickly and they might get even more materials to prove that you’re guilty of something that you’re not. When you’re told that you’re being investigated, your first response might be to meet the accuser and try to reason with them. Knowing what to expect, who to talk to, and how to clear your name will be beneficial in the process of defending yourself. Consider the possibility that you did make a mistake and accidentally offend someone along the way.Īdditionally, your company’s harassment policy should also outline what happens next during the investigation so you can prepare for any proceedings. Reviewing your employer’s harassment policy might shed light on whether what you did is harassment or not. Retaliation can be used against you as evidence that you’re guilty of harassment, even if you aren’t to begin with. Remember to stay calm and think of your next steps thoroughly so you don’t lash out. Retaliating, in particular, may make you look more guilty and backfire against you. While your first instinct may tell you to defend yourself at all costs, defensive behavior makes you look unprofessional when you’re being investigated. With that said, here are a few steps you can take if you have false allegations against you. Serious charges, like physical harassment or domestic violence, may even fall under criminal law. It might be categorized as a gross misdemeanor or a felony. If the threat of defamation isn’t enough, the punishment of a harassment charge also varies depending on the severity of the claim. ![]() If you are falsely accused of a crime or harassment, we suggest seeking legal counsel from an experienced attorney. *Please note that we aren’t equipped to give legal advice. What to Do If You’re Falsely Charged or Accused of Harassment You need to know how to defend yourself if, by chance, you’re a victim to one of these misleading claims. Regardless of the reason, false accusations have consequences that may follow you for the rest of your career. Reasons may vary, including a recent break-up or fallout, wanting to take down the competition, or simply wanting to attack someone they don’t like in the hopes of their termination.Ĭonversely, it might be a misunderstanding that can be resolved after a quick investigation, as people have vastly different senses of humor and understanding. Some individuals, both men and women, want to take advantage of this sensitive topic and falsely accuse someone of harassment. Various things might cause someone to create a false harassment charge. According to this Forbes article, there might be anywhere between 150 to 750 false charges out of the 7,514 sexual harassment complaints filed to the EEOC in 2019. However, in rare cases, there might be false charges mixed in with genuine ones. Since the #MeToo Movement in 2018, harassment cases are slowly being taken more seriously, especially in the workplace. Harassment is a serious charge that will follow you everywhere.
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