Inappropriate workplace behavior includes discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation. Among other consequences, misconduct creates a hostile work environment, negatively impacting mental health, stress levels, and job satisfaction.
Studies have shown employees leave their jobs to avoid a toxic work environment, leading to higher turnover rates for an organization(s). The shift to remote work was thought to safeguard against harassment, bullying, and discrimination. Yet research has shown misbehavior has not only persisted but also taken on new forms with greater usage of virtual communication platforms.
A survey conducted by TalentLMS and the Purple Campaign reported 30% of employees have experienced unwelcome behavior through electronic platforms during the pandemic.
Before we discuss mitigation strategies, let’s dive deeper into each type of inappropriate behavior:
Sexual Harassment is the most common form of workplace harassment. It is any kind of unwanted or unwelcome sexual behavior, ranging from suggestive comments or jokes to inappropriate physical contact. Displaying explicit material or making inappropriate comments are all forms of sexual harassment.
Bullying is an unfavorable treatment of an individual in their workplace some may consider an unreasonable and inappropriate workplace practice. Statistics show 4 in 10 employees in the United States experience bullying in the workplace. Bullying can be hurtful, intimidating, and unpleasant and involve shame or embarrassment in front of colleagues, customers, or clients.
Discrimination is treating someone differently based on their race, gender, age, religion, or any other protected characteristic. Did you know that 61 % of employed adults in the United States have experienced or witnessed discrimination?
Retaliation is any adverse action against an individual for reporting harassment, discrimination, or other workplace misconduct. Such retaliations may include demotions, exclusion from staff activities, or undesirable reassignments.
These are just a few examples, and any kind of behavior that makes someone feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or humiliated at work is considered inappropriate.
Specific Consequences of Workplace Misconduct
Misconduct can create a toxic work environment and be overwhelming and stressful for all involved parties, including bystanders.
Unfortunately, inappropriate behaviors can also cause higher employee turnover, as individuals will attempt to search for a better and hostile-free environment. According to an MIT Sloan Management Review report, a toxic workplace is over ten times more likely to trigger an employee to quit than a lack of pay. Employees feeling unsafe, disrespected, or uncomfortable at work inevitably leads to decreased productivity and increased absenteeism.
A toxic work environment can also negatively impact the company’s bottom line, leading to decreased morale, poor customer service, and a tarnished reputation. Furthermore, overall workplace dissatisfaction can affect mental and physical well-being.
For example, when employees are subjected to misbehavior, negative emotions, such as fear, anxiety, anger, and sadness, can become prevalent. These emotions can lead to long-term mental health issues, like trauma.
Misconduct can lead to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and a sense of hopelessness. Additionally, retaliation can make it unsafe for employees to speak up or report misconduct. It can create a workplace culture of fear and mistrust, which can negatively impact employee morale and productivity.
Preventing Inappropriate Behavior
Organizations ought to provide relevant training to foster a respectful and empathy-driven culture. This can include topics on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), as well as sexual harassment and discrimination prevention.
For example, Human Resources (HR) departments understand the importance of staying ahead of changing work environments and potential legal action from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). To remain compliant, many HR departments are offering digital learning methods, such as mobile or virtual reality training.
Besides providing employee training, employers can proactively create a clear policy against misconduct and establish a complaint and investigation process.
Immersive Learning Methods
Virtual reality (VR) training can be an effective tool to prevent and address inappropriate behavior in the workplace. VR learning enables employees to experience simulations depicting realistic examples of harassment, discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate behavior.
One of the key benefits of VR training is it allows employees to practice responding to problematic behaviors in a safe and controlled environment. This can build confidence and reduce anxiety when dealing with real-life situations.
VR training can also be customized to address specific issues relevant to a particular workplace.
No one should have to endure a hostile work environment. Employers need to take steps to ensure that employees feel safe and respected. VR training can be a great way to educate employers and employees on the consequences of inappropriate workplace behavior and how to create a more inclusive environment. By creating a pleasant work environment, employers can ensure their employees are thriving, productive, and satisfied.
In our upcoming articles, we will discuss the various types of harassment in detail. At Sisu VR, we provide anti-harassment training designed to be more interactive and help build empathy. Reach out to us and book a demo to learn more about our immersive training!
