Remote work has allowed many Maryland residents to do their job anywhere using online productivity platforms and messaging apps. However, this transition does not diminish the necessity for mutual respect and professional boundaries.
While virtual work offers flexibility, it also introduces new avenues for misconduct that can be just as damaging as in-person interactions. Whether you fully work from home or in a hybrid setting, identifying digital harassment can help you protect yourself and your career.
What digital harassment looks like
Inappropriate workplace behavior can happen online, not just in person. Even when working remotely, following professional ethics is still important. It is vital to recognize what kind of virtual conduct can create a hostile work environment, including:
- Rude comments about someone’s appearance in group chats
- Offensive background content or suggestive gestures during Zoom meetings
- Flirty or sexual messages on Slack or Teams
- Explicit memes on online team forums
- Unwanted and vulgar emails from a coworker
- Intrusive social media tracking, such as a peer or supervisor using work connections to stalk your personal accounts
When management fails to address these virtual behaviors, they open the door to serious legal liability under Maryland law.
Crucial steps to protect your claim
If you get unwanted advances while working remotely, documenting everything is vital. Save screenshots of messages and note the date and time of any inappropriate video call behavior. Doing so can help support your claim.
Internally reporting the harassment to your human resources (HR) department or a supervisor can also show that you gave your employer a fair chance to stop and correct the behavior. You also need to submit a discrimination charge with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Your safety and boundaries matter
Your virtual office is still a workplace, and working from home does not mean you have to tolerate harassment. Addressing digital harassment helps protect your rights as a worker while encouraging employers to uphold a professional and safe virtual work environment. A lawyer can help you pursue your claim and represent you if your case goes to court.
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