Which of the following describes an unwanted physical contact or verbal remarks from a colleague?

The correct description for unwanted physical contact or verbal remarks from a colleague is harassment. In a workplace context, harassment refers specifically to behavior that creates a hostile or intimidating environment for individuals, often involving unwelcome actions based on personal characteristics, such as gender, race, or other identities. This can include inappropriate comments, gestures, or physical touches that make someone uncomfortable or feel threatened.

Harassment is recognized as a serious issue in organizations, as it not only impacts the well-being of employees but can also affect overall workplace morale and productivity. Organizations typically implement policies and training to combat harassment, aiming to foster a safe and respectful work environment.

Other terms like management by objectives relate more to performance management processes aimed at aligning individual and organizational goals rather than describing harmful interactions. Similarly, while abuse encompasses a broad range of mistreatment, it does not specifically capture the nuances of workplace interactions that are unwelcome and violate personal boundaries. Theft instead focuses on the unlawful taking of someone else's property and is unrelated to interpersonal conduct.