How Harassment Can Negatively Affect Career Advancement

Any kind of harassment in the workplace ultimately creates a hostile environment that undermines both professional growth and career progression. At Olivier & Schreiber PC, we understand that harassment extends far beyond enduring momentary discomfort or rude behaviors. It can systematically dismantle the foundation of your professional future through measurable impacts on productivity, attendance, health, and job security.

Work and Career Impacts from Incidents of Workplace Harassment

Reduced Productivity

Harassment can fundamentally disrupt your ability to focus on your work and perform at your best. When you become preoccupied with avoiding your harasser or managing ongoing mistreatment while at work, your attention is diverted from your core job responsibilities.

Harassing behaviors such as exclusion from important meetings, deliberate withholding of critical information, or public humiliation create an environment where quality work becomes nearly impossible. Your energy shifts from career development to survival mode, leaving little room for innovation or excellence to drive advancement.

Increased Absenteeism

The mental toll of harassment can lead employees to take frequent sick days or mental health breaks. Depression and anxiety can be common responses to persistent workplace mistreatment that also make it difficult to maintain consistent attendance.

This pattern of absenteeism creates a dangerous cycle. Poor attendance reflects negatively on performance reviews, potentially making workers appear unreliable to supervisors who may be unaware of the underlying harassment issues.

Mental and Physical Health Issues

Harassment victims frequently develop serious health complications that impact their lives well beyond the workplace. Chronic stress from ongoing mistreatment can lead to:

• Depression and anxiety disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Physical symptoms such as chronic pain and digestive issues

These health challenges may compound career difficulties, creating additional barriers to professional success and advancement opportunities.

Termination and the Impact on Potential Future Roles

Poor performance reviews resulting from harassment-related productivity declines can frequently lead to termination. Employers may cite attendance issues or decreased work quality without recognizing the root cause of those problems. Alternatively, many harassment victims may feel compelled to resign to escape their toxic work environment.

Abrupt job departures can create gaps in employment history and limit access to positive references, both of which are critical factors in securing future career opportunities. When a job is left suddenly without proper notice or explanation, it may raise concerns for future employers, however unfounded, about reliability and professionalism. Thus, careers can be impacted long after the period of harassment experienced in one work environment.

Take Action to Protect Your Career and Your Future

Harassment should never be tolerated or permitted in any workplace. When employers fail to address hostile work environments, they must be held accountable for the damage caused to your career and well-being.

If you are experiencing workplace harassment that is impacting your professional growth, our experienced employment law attorneys can help you understand your rights and explore legal options. We are committed to fighting for justice and are here to help ensure that your career’s potential is not derailed by workplace misconduct.

Contact our team at Olivier & Schreiber PC today for a consultation. Your career and your future are worth protecting.