Workplace stalking represents a serious form of harassment that often goes unreported and unaddressed. This troubling behavior involves repeated, unwanted contact or attention that causes fear or distress, potentially affecting your productivity, emotional well-being and sense of safety at work.
Recognizing the warning signs of stalking can help you take appropriate action before the situation escalates. Whether perpetrated by a coworker, client or someone from outside your organization who targets you at work, stalking behaviors share common patterns that you should know how to identify and document.
How to recognize workplace stalking behaviors
Stalking manifests in various ways in professional environments, from obvious physical presence to subtle technological monitoring. Watch for these warning signs that may indicate you are being stalked:
- Physical tracking: Someone following you to your car, appearing in unexpected places or consistently being where you are without a legitimate reason
- Unwanted gifts or communications: Receiving presents, notes or messages at work despite showing no interest or directly refusing them
- Property interference: Finding your personal belongings moved, damaged or missing; discovering “souvenirs” taken from your workspace
- Reputation damage: Hearing rumors about you, discovering false complaints filed against you or learning someone has been asking colleagues for personal information about you
- Physical boundary violations: A person repeatedly standing too close, touching you unnecessarily or staring at you for extended periods without speaking
- Digital surveillance: Evidence of spyware on your devices, unusual activity on your accounts or discovering someone tracking your location through technology
- Online harassment: Receiving excessive messages, finding fake profiles impersonating you or seeing personal information about you posted without consent
- Workplace information breaches: Signs that someone has accessed your confidential files, email or computer without authorization
If you experience these behaviors, document each incident thoroughly and report them to your supervisor or human resources department immediately. Consider whether the stalking violates workplace harassment policies or warrants legal action through restraining orders.
Your employer has a responsibility to provide a safe working environment. If stalking continues despite reporting it, consult with legal counsel about additional protective measures. Taking prompt action when you notice these warning signs can help prevent escalation and protect your safety in the workplace.