How to Recognize Different Forms of Digital Harassment

Email and Messaging Harassment

Direct Digital Communication Harassment: - Sexually explicit or inappropriate messages through work email - Racially, religiously, or ethnically offensive communications - Threatening or intimidating messages via instant messaging - Excessive or obsessive digital communication creating hostile environment - Use of company communication systems for discriminatory harassment Case Example: Sales manager received daily emails from supervisor containing sexual jokes, inappropriate images, and comments about her appearance. When she complained, supervisor began sending messages questioning her commitment and competence. This email-based pattern constituted sexual harassment through digital means. Subtle Digital Harassment Patterns: - Exclusion from email chains and digital communications - Passive-aggressive messages with discriminatory undertones - Copying inappropriate recipients on sensitive communications - Digital microaggressions through messaging tone and content - Using formal communication systems for informal harassment

Social Media and Platform Harassment

Work-Related Social Media Harassment: - Inappropriate comments on professional networking profiles - Sharing discriminatory content on work-related social media - Creating fake accounts to harass coworkers anonymously - Using personal social media to discuss work-related harassment - Professional reputation attacks through social media platforms Cross-Platform Harassment Campaigns: - Coordinated harassment across multiple digital platforms - Moving harassment from work systems to personal accounts - Encouraging others to join in social media harassment - Using multiple platforms to amplify harassing messages - Creating sustained digital harassment campaigns Privacy Invasion and Cyberstalking: - Monitoring personal social media accounts obsessively - Sharing personal information obtained through digital stalking - Using work access to obtain personal contact information - Following and harassing on multiple personal digital platforms - Creating detailed profiles of personal life through digital surveillance

Video Conferencing and Virtual Meeting Harassment

Remote Work Harassment Issues: - Inappropriate comments or behavior during video conferences - Discriminatory exclusion from virtual meetings and communications - Sexual harassment through video calls and screen sharing - Digital background harassment and inappropriate visual content - Recording and sharing embarrassing or inappropriate virtual meeting content Virtual Environment Harassment: - Inappropriate use of virtual backgrounds or filters - Chat harassment during virtual meetings and webinars - Discriminatory treatment in virtual collaboration spaces - Exclusion from virtual team-building and social activities - Technical harassment through deliberate system disruption

Device and System Harassment

Company Device Abuse: - Installing inappropriate software or content on shared devices - Using company computers to access and display harassing content - Modifying company systems to display discriminatory messages - Accessing personal accounts through company devices for harassment - Using administrative access to harass or monitor employees Technical Harassment and Sabotage: - Deliberate disruption of digital work tools and systems - Unauthorized access to personal work files and communications - Technical sabotage targeting specific employees or groups - Using IT privileges to monitor or harass employees - Digital vandalism of work products and presentations