Identify and Report Inappropriate Behavior

Workplace Violence or Misconduct

Sadly, remote workers are not immune from workplace abuse. Bullying, verbal abuse, and stalking can take place on remote platforms too, and their severity can be as invasive as their offline counterparts can be.

Such matters are sensitive, but management needs to act quickly lest they set a dangerous precedent:

• If possible, designate someone on the team to see to such matters. You should also encourage open communication so that anyone feels free to report any abuse they may have experienced or personally witnessed.
• For some people, talking about their experiences with abuse is traumatic enough. Thus, leave it to them to choose how they would like to communicate and how much they would like to divulge. In the same vein, it is up to them whether to share what happened with the team and how much to reveal, if at all.
• Listen to what the victim has to say first. Refrain from demanding proof immediately. Better yet, conduct an impartial investigation after the initial discussion to hear the other side’s story.
• You may consult with your HR personnel about precedents or procedures, but bear in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all approach for these things.

Provide the remote employee with support, such as counseling, if needed.