Screenshot and Documentation Protocols:
- Take full-screen screenshots including timestamps and headers
- Capture entire conversation threads, not just individual messages
- Document platform, user information, and technical details
- Save original files in addition to screenshots
- Create multiple backup copies on different devices and platforms
Metadata and Technical Evidence:
- Preserve email headers with routing and timestamp information
- Save original digital files with metadata intact
- Document IP addresses and technical identifiers when possible
- Create forensic copies of harassing digital communications
- Maintain chain of custody for digital evidence
Cross-Platform Documentation:
- Track harassment patterns across multiple digital platforms
- Document connections between different digital harassment incidents
- Save evidence from both work and personal accounts affected
- Create comprehensive timeline of multi-platform harassment
- Identify common elements connecting different digital harassment instances
Platform-Specific Response Strategies
Company System Harassment Response:
- Report harassment through official IT and HR channels
- Request system logs and administrative records of harassment
- Ask for technical protections (blocking, filtering, monitoring)
- Document company response to digital harassment complaints
- Escalate to senior management when IT responses are inadequate
Social Media Platform Responses:
- Use platform reporting mechanisms for harassment and abuse
- Block harassers on all personal and professional accounts
- Adjust privacy settings to limit harasser access
- Document platform responses to harassment reports
- Consider legal action for platform failures to address harassment
Personal Account Protection:
- Change passwords and security settings on all accounts
- Enable two-factor authentication for enhanced security
- Review and limit personal information visible to coworkers
- Create separate professional and personal digital identities
- Monitor accounts for unauthorized access or harassment
Legal Reporting and Documentation
Internal Complaint Strategies for Digital Harassment:
- File comprehensive HR complaints including all digital evidence
- Request investigation of both work and personal account harassment
- Demand technical protections and monitoring of company systems
- Document company policy violations related to digital harassment
- Escalate when digital harassment affects workplace conditions
External Agency Reporting:
- Include digital harassment evidence in EEOC and state agency complaints
- Document work-relatedness of personal account harassment
- Show connection between digital harassment and workplace hostile environment
- Provide technical evidence and expert testimony when necessary
- Coordinate with law enforcement for criminal digital harassment