If You're a Target, Buy a Tape Recorder!

If you’ve become a target at work, it may be worthwhile to purchase a tiny tape recorder. This will allow you to record any activity, which you may need as evidence that you are being abused, threatened, harassed or retaliated against at work.

I don’t care if a tape recording isn’t always admissible in court. You can use the tape recording within your organization, to prove to higher-ups or HR that you are being subjected to abuse. You can also play the recording(s) for an attorney, during a consultation session.

Whenever possible, you should be sure to record any interactions with a person that is routinely making threats, using racial epithets, being verbally abusive, etc. You should also use the speaker setting on your office phone to play and record any nasty voicemail messages you receive from this individual or other staff. By doing so, you will have a record of harassing or discriminatory behavior being committed in the workplace.

Again, this may be the proof you need for an in-house meeting or an external investigation--if things get to that level.