What to Do When Your Employee Is Harassed Online

The hyper-digital world we’ve been plunged into is already exacerbating harassment and hate online. If organizations are serious about supporting staff who identify as women, nonbinary, or BIPOC, it’s high time to have their backs in the face of online attacks. To create an environment where employees feel safe and supported enough to report when they are being abused online, leadership needs to let staff know that they take the issue seriously and expect managers and colleagues to do the same. Survey staff to figure out the degree to which they are facing and how they are navigating online abuse. Arm them with the knowledge that there are concrete steps they can take to proactively protect themselves and respond. Having clear protocols around social media and digital security can make staff feel safer and more empowered.