1. What is power harassment?
A. Any physical or psychological abusive behavior by someone in a superior position.
https://www.kojimalaw.jp/en/articles/0003
https://www.business.com/articles/psychology-of-power-abuse/
2. What are the main types of power harassment?
A. Physical Attack, Mental or Psychological Attack, Social Isolation, Excessive Demands(assigning too much work), Menial Tasks(giving no work), Invasion of Privacy
https://ohpc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/about.php
https://japan-dev.com/blog/what-is-power-harassment-and-what-you-can-do
3. What's the difference between power harassment and strict management?
A. The differences lies in the legitimacy and necessity of the actions.
https://www.opsanalitica.com/blog/how-to-hold-employees-accountable
https://www.valamis.com/hub/constructive-feedback
4. Can power harassment occur between colleagues of the same rank?
A. Classic definition of power harassment involves a superior-subordinate relationship, but harassment can also occur between colleagues, which referred to as workplace bullying.
https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/notices/view/143
https://www.no-harassment.mhlw.go.jp/foreign_workers_en/1power
5. Are there non-obvious signs of power harassment?
A. Yes, these includes ignoring someone's opinions, withholding crucial information, setting someone up to fail, or spreading malicious rumors.
https://eliinc.com/5-types-subtle-workplace-harassment-radar/
https://lrn.com/blog/how-to-identify-bullying-and-harassment-in-the-workplace
6. Is power harassment illegal?
A. Yes, in many countries, power harassment is illegal. For example, the Act on Promotion of Measures is to Prevent Power Harassment in the Workplace in Japan.
https://www.noandt.com/en/publications/publication20220317-02/
https://www.no-harassment.mhlw.go.jp/foreign_workers_en/1power
7. What are a company's legal obligations regarding power harassment?
A. Establishing a clear policy prohibiting power harassment, setting up a consultation and complaint-handling process, investigating any reported incident, taking appropriate disciplinary action against perpetrators, and protecting the privacy of those involved.
8. What should be included in a company's anti-harassment policy?
A. Clear definition of power harassment, examples of prohibited conduct, the procedure for reporting complaints, an outline of the investigation process, a statement of non-retaliation, and the potential consequences for violators should be included.
https://www.humanrightspulse.com/mastercontentblog/new-anti-harassment-law-introduced-in-japan
9. Can a company be responsible for power harassment committed by its employees?
A. Yes, companies can be held liable for the actions of their employees, especially if they failed to take reasonable steps to prevent and address the harassment.
https://www.kojimalaw.jp/en/articles/0003
10. What is the role of the Human Resources department in handling power harassment?
A. Human Resources department plays a critical role in implementing anti-harassment policies, providing training, receiving and investigating complaints, and recommending disciplinary actions, which should be acted as a neutral and confidential resource for employees.
https://www.avadolearning.com/blog/role-of-hr-in-preventing-workplace-harassment/
11. What should you do if you are experiencing power harassment?
A. Documenting everything, reporting the harassment, and looking for a support to trustable people.
https://www.californialaborlawattorney.com/blog/signs-of-emotional-distress-from-a-hostile-work-/
https://japan-dev.com/blog/what-is-power-harassment-and-what-you-can-do
12. What evidence is useful in a power harassment claim?
A. Emails, text messages, voicemails, witness testimonies, and a detailed personal journal of the incidents can all be counted as valuable evidence.
https://www.plblaw.com/essential-evidence-needed-to-pursue-a-workplace-harassment-claim/
https://aquaxislaw.com/posts-en/newsletter-en-2023-09-13
13. What if my boss is the one harassing me?
A. If the harasser is your direct supervisor, report the issue to their superior, the Human Resources department, or other designated people within the company.
https://www.caseiq.com/resources/power-harassment-in-the-workplace/
14. I'm worried about retaliation if I report harassment. What are my rights?
A. Anti-harassment laws and company policies almost always include a non-retaliation clause, which means it is illegal for your employer to take any adverse action against you.
https://www.kojimalaw.jp/en/articles/0003
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/05/japan/politics/whistleblowers-penalties-bill/
15. What can I expect during a power harassment investigation?
A. Usually, the investigator will interview you, the alleged harasser, and any witnesses. They will review any evidence you provide.
https://www.kojimalaw.jp/en/articles/0003
16. What are the consequences for people who have committed power harassment?
A. Consequences can range from a formal warning and mandatory training to demotion, transfer, or dismissal, depending on the severity and frequency of the harassment.
17. What is the impact of power harassment to the victim?
A. Victims can suffer negative consequences, including stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and other physical and mental health problems.
18. How does power harassment affect the workplace
A. A workplace where power harassment is tolerated will likely experience lower morale, decreased productivity, higher employee turnover, and a damaged company reputation.
19. How can power harassment be prevented?
A. Strong leadership commitment, regular training, positive and respectful work culture, and clear and consistently enforced policies can prevent power harassment.
20. What is the role of bystander intervention in stopping power harassment?
A. Bystanders who witness harassment can play a crucial role. They can intervene directly, create a distraction, offer support to the victim, or report the incident.
21. Is there a connection between power harassment and discrimination?
A. Yes, power harassment can be a form of discrimination if it is directed at an individual based on their protected characteristics, such as gender, race, religion, or disability.
22. Can a single incident be considered power harassment?
A. While power harassment often involves a pattern of behavior, a single, severe incident can be enough to create a hostile work environment and be considered harassment.
23. How can leaders create a harassment-free workplace?
A. Leaders must lead by example by demonstrating respectful behavior, actively promoting a positive work culture, taking all complaints seriously, ensuring fair and thorough investigations, and holding perpetrators accountable.
24. Can power harassment be perpetrated by clients or customers?
A. Yes, and employers have a responsibility to protect their employees from harassment by third parties, which includes setting clear boundaries with clients, supporting affected employees, and maybe ending business relationship.
25. What is "mobbing"?
A. Mobbing is a form of group psychological abuse in the workplace, where a group of colleagues repeatedly targets an individual with harassing behaviors.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobbing?
https://www.allvoices.co/blog/what-is-workplace-mobbing?
26. Can power harassment happen remotely or in online workspaces?
A. Yes, power harassment can occur in virtual environments through excessive monitoring, exclusion from important meetings, disrespectful messages, or constant negative feedback via email or chat platforms.
https://www.sanfordtatum.com/blog/2024/05/hr-compliance-bulletin-overview-of-the-eeocs-workplace-guidance-to-prevent-harassment?
https://www.thyberglaw.com/blog/2023/10/01/what-does-harassment-look-like-215001/?
27. What is the difference between power harassment and sexual harassment?
A. Power harassment is based on the abuse of authority or position, while sexual harassment involves unwanted sexual advances or conduct. However, both can occur together and are forms of workplace harassment.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_harassment?
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001879183710043/pdf?md5=81fd1c7b0bbcb1161e9110d8fe4da0b2&pid=1-s2.0-S0001879183710043-main.pdf&
28. How can employees support a colleague who is experiencing power harassment?
A. Listen without judgment, encourage them to document incidents, accompany them when reporting if needed, and avoid gossiping about the issue to protect their privacy and dignity.
https://www.iafc.org/docs/default-source/deptadmin/tableofusefulsignsofworkplacebullying.pdf?
https://employersresource.com/business-compliance/hr-scenario-hostile-work-environment/?
29. What training is effective in preventing power harassment?
A. Interactive workshops, role-playing scenarios, awareness sessions on company policies, and bystander intervention training can all help build understanding and commitment to a harassment-free environment.
https://www.eeoc.gov/training-institute/harassment-prevention-and-respectful-workplaces-training?
https://www.affirmity.com/blog/why-workplace-harassment-prevention-training-is-critical/?
30. What cultural factors might influence the recognition of power harassment?
A. In some cultures, hierarchical systems and respect for authority can discourage speaking out, making it harder to recognize or report power harassment. Awareness and education are essential to overcoming these cultural barriers.
This Q&A explains power harassment very well. It helps us understand what it is, how it happens, and what to do if it happens to us. I like how the questions start simple and then explain more about the laws and how companies should help.
返信削除To make it more interesting, it would be nice to add a song that talks about being strong or standing up against bullying. For example, the song “Titanium” by David Guetta and Sia is about being strong and not giving up. Adding a song like this could help people feel more connected to the topic and understand it better.
Thank you for organizing this complex issue so clearly and thoughtfully. I was especially interested in the distinction between power harassment and strict management because that line can often be very blurry in real workplaces, especially in hierarchical cultures like Japan. Your explanation helped clarify how the intentions behind actions and their necessity truly matter when making that distinction. I also really appreciated your point that power harassment can happen remotely—this is especially relevant nowadays with more people working online and using digital communication tools. Maybe you could expand further on how remote work changes the power dynamic, or explore specific ways companies can protect employees in virtual spaces. Overall, I learned a lot from your blog and thought it was very timely, insightful, and practical.
返信削除I strongly agree with the idea in question 28 of how can employees support a colleague who is experiencing power harassment.
返信削除Listening without judgment is very important but at the same time, I thought it might be hard. In addition, accompanying with them when reporting if needed is also a helpful thing to do. Never leave those people alone because they will feel more comfortable and confident. Lastly, avoid gossiping about the issue to protect their privacy is imperative. People like to gossip but when they do that, the problem might get worse. Overall, power harassment is a serious problem and I thought all the people especially for students who are planning to work need to understand what is a power harassment and how to deal with those cases.