Most people would say that their jobs cause them some type of stress, but what happens when individuals at your California job target you due to your age, sexuality or race? Daily exposure to a toxic work culture can cause anxiety and mental stress, which may affect your performance and other aspects of your life as well.
The Hartford notes that California law allows employees to claim workers’ compensation for mental stress and anxiety, but before you file a claim, you may want to know more about how to prove harassment and how it affects your work.
What is harassment?
Harassment can take many forms, including subtle jokes and comments. Individuals who participate in this behavior may not target you verbally but make such comments to other employees regarding the way you dress or your overall lifestyle. Harassment can also include belittling you to your peers or to management until you feel overwhelmed or unable to defend yourself against the behavior.
How does harassment cause anxiety?
Harassment may also involve gaslighting, where a co-worker’s actions and words can make you believe certain interactions or comments never occurred to the point where you feel you can no longer trust your own memories. This can create anxiety, as gaslighting and other forms of harassment can chip away at your self-esteem and cause you to second-guess yourself when you never did before.
How do you prove job-related anxiety?
A therapist or psychiatrist licensed in California can provide your workplace with a diagnosis if you wish to file a workers’ compensation claim. Keep careful records of your treatment and prescribed medications.
Work-related anxiety due to harassment can also cause physical symptoms, such as fatigue. Revealing all your symptoms to a mental healthcare professional can help you to better understand this connection.