Complaint Letter About Workplace Harassment

When and how to use this letter

File this complaint as soon as the pattern is clear, ideally within days of the latest incident. Harassment complaints are judged on evidence, so before you send the letter, write down every incident with dates, times, places, exact words or actions, and the names of witnesses. Save screenshots of any messages and keep them on a personal device, not just your work computer.

Send the complaint to HR and, if your company has one, the designated anti-harassment committee or compliance officer. Send it by email so you have a timestamped record, and request written confirmation of receipt. Ask specifically for confidentiality and protection from retaliation during the investigation, and note that request in the letter itself.

Expect HR to acknowledge the complaint and outline an investigation process. You may be interviewed and asked for your evidence file, so have it organized. During the investigation, avoid discussing the case with colleagues, as gossip can weaken your position and complicate the process. If the harasser is your direct manager, escalate to their manager or HR leadership instead.

One non-obvious tip: keep a private, dated incident diary starting now, even before you file. Courts and committees give strong weight to contemporaneous notes because they are hard to fabricate later. Also, if your company fails to act within a reasonable time, most countries allow you to escalate to a labor board, an equal-opportunity commission, or a lawyer, so know your local external options before you need them.

Frequently asked questions

Related templates