In many workplaces, you might hear people giving one-sided advice or making patronizing comments. Although not outright harassment, these behaviors are considered “gray area harassment” and can make people uncomfortable. A recent survey by KiteRa, a private company in Tokyo, found these actions are gradually affecting the work environment.
About half of the surveyed employees experienced such behaviors at work, like rude manners, being forced to attend social gatherings, or intrusive questions. As a result, over 45% of them considered quitting their jobs. Specific actions like being ignored or pressured to attend off-site social events were particularly likely to lead people to think about leaving.
KiteRa’s survey also highlighted that most people engaging in gray area behaviors thought they were being helpful. However, many middle-sized or small companies lack clear workplace guidelines to prevent these actions.
Professor Masanori Hara, an expert on harassment laws, noted that while obvious cases of harassment should be addressed legally, gray area issues are trickier. He emphasized the importance of clear workplace rules that prohibit behaviors causing mental stress. Such guidelines can help improve communication across generations in the workforce, benefiting the company as a whole.
by MagazineKey4532