Tackling workplace harassment: A guide for admin professionals

Businessman Sexually Harassing Female Coworker In Modern Office, workplace harassment

ARTICLE SUMMARY

Workplace harassment is a pervasive issue, especially for admin professionals who often serve as trusted problem-solvers yet face unique vulnerabilities. In this personal and empowering article, Ine Velaers, Global Executive VP at Density6 and Founder of AdminVanguard, shares her wake-up call moment and practical advice for addressing inappropriate behaviour at work.

Hi, I’m Ine Velaers, and I wear a few hats, but at the heart of it, I’m someone who’s passionate about helping people—especially women—step into their power and thrive.

Ine Velaers

I’m the founder of AdminVanguard, a start-up with a mission close to my heart: empowering women in administrative roles or male-dominated fields to break through glass ceilings and get the recognition they deserve.

AdminVanguard is all about changing the workplace narrative. We help women go from being the unsung heroes in the background to becoming celebrated leaders and drivers of innovation. It’s about fostering confidence, creating opportunities, and paving the way for a future where women are respected, valued, and truly seen.

When I’m not working on AdminVanguard, I’m diving into the things that bring me joy—like art, exploring creativity, and a little esoteric inspiration to keep life interesting. I’ve always believed that leadership isn’t just about the head; it’s about the heart and soul too.

In my day-to-day, I’m driven by a mix of curiosity, compassion, and a determination to make things better for the next generation. No bragging here—just someone trying to make a difference, one step at a time.

Ah, workplace harassment.

It’s like that uninvited guest who doesn’t know when to leave—annoying, disruptive, and downright unacceptable. For admin professionals, it can be even trickier because we’re often the go-to problem-solvers, the confidants, and sometimes, unfortunately, the targets. So how do we navigate this minefield while keeping our sanity intact and still showing up as the superstars we are? Let’s talk about it.

My Wake-Up Call Moment

Years ago, I found myself in a situation that I honestly thought only happened in cheesy HR training videos. As a fresh-faced executive assistant eager to prove myself, I often stayed late to get everything just right for the next day. One evening, my manager—we’ll call him Bob, for anonymity’s sake and because “Bob” just feels right for this story—decided to “compliment” me on my dedication. Sounds harmless, right? Except it wasn’t.

Bob had a way of making compliments feel… slimy. That night, his remarks crossed a line. He commented on how my “commitment to details was as sharp as my outfit,” with a lingering glance that made me want to crawl under my desk. I laughed it off awkwardly (because what else do you do when you’re caught off guard?), packed up my things, and left. But the unease stayed with me.

The next day, I confided in a colleague who’d been in the company longer. Her advice? “That’s just Bob. Don’t take it personally.” While well-meaning, her response felt like a dismissal of what I’d experienced. And that’s when it hit me: ignoring the issue doesn’t make it go away. It just lets it fester.

Why Admin Professionals Need to Address Harassment

As admin professionals, we’re often the ones keeping the wheels turning—scheduling meetings, managing communications, and creating order out of chaos. This position of trust can make us vulnerable to inappropriate behavior, whether it’s unwanted comments, microaggressions, or outright harassment. Worse, we’re sometimes expected to “suck it up” for the sake of professionalism. Spoiler alert: you don’t have to.

Creating Your Safety Net

So, what can you do when faced with workplace harassment? Here’s what worked for me and might help you:

  1. Document Everything: After the Bob incident, I started jotting down dates, times, and details of every inappropriate comment or action. No matter how small it seemed, I wrote it down. This wasn’t just cathartic; it created a paper trail I could rely on if things escalated.
  2. Know Your Allies: Identify people in your workplace who genuinely have your back. This could be a mentor, a colleague, or someone in HR. Having someone to validate your experiences and offer guidance can make a huge difference.
  3. Speak Up—But Strategically: When I eventually addressed the situation with HR, I didn’t just say, “Bob makes me uncomfortable.” I presented clear examples, including my documentation. This made it harder for them to dismiss my concerns as “overreacting.”
  4. Set Boundaries: If you feel safe doing so, nip inappropriate behavior in the bud. A simple, “That comment makes me uncomfortable,” can be surprisingly effective. It’s not your job to educate others, but setting boundaries can sometimes curb bad behavior.

Building a Safer Workplace

While individual actions are crucial, we also need systemic change. Admin professionals can play a key role in advocating for safer, more inclusive workplaces. Here’s how:

  • Push for Policies: Advocate for clear, enforced policies against harassment. Vague guidelines won’t cut it—we need specifics.
  • Foster Open Communication: Create spaces where people feel comfortable sharing their concerns. This could mean initiating team discussions or suggesting anonymous feedback channels.
  • Lead by Example: Sometimes, small actions—like shutting down inappropriate jokes in meetings—can set a powerful precedent.

A Note to the Bobs of the World

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I might’ve been a Bob,” congratulations—awareness is the first step. Now, do better. Apologize if necessary, educate yourself, and commit to being part of the solution.

Final Thoughts

Navigating workplace harassment is tough, especially when it’s wrapped in layers of power dynamics and unspoken rules. But as admin professionals, we’re more than capable of tackling it head-on. Let’s protect ourselves, support each other, and create workplaces where everyone—yes, even Bob—can thrive.

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