Prevention of Sexual harassment at workplace in India


The issues of sexual harassment at the workplace received public attention mainly after the Supreme Court’s landmark judgement in Vishakha v/s State Government case in 1997. The apex court, in its verdict, held the employers responsible for protection of women employees from sexual harassment at the workplace, and issued comprehensive guidelines (widely known as Vishakha guidelines) enjoining them to take appropriate measures to curb this pernicious practice.

Costs of Sexual Harassment at Workplace

Sexual harassment at the workplace does not only cause disastrous psychosocial and physical hardships to the victim, but also leads to corresponding negative impact on the performance and reputation of the organization. At broader level, it also hampers the inclusivity of the labor market and erodes the prospects of a country’s economic growth.

Cost to the Victim

• It discourages the victim from asserting themselves within the workplace.
• The victim is objectified and humiliated by scrutiny and gossip.
• It may also bring disgrace to the family of the victim.
• It risks the victim losing their job or chance of promotion.
• It causes a range of psychological and physical sufferings to the victim.
• It causes a dip in the performance of the victim.
• Absenteeism from the workplace increases to avoid humiliation.

Cost to the Employer

Sexual harassment has been linked to decrease job satisfaction, de-motivation, and resultant poor performance, leading to loss of staff and expertise.7
It can tarnish the company’s image among clients, employees, potential customers, and the general public.

It makes the working conditions hostile and unpleasant, impacting productivity level of the victim and profit margins of the company.
It undermines ethical standards and discipline in the organisation and impacts the recruitment of “best talent”.

Cost to the Country

Sexual harassment at work contributes to decreasing labour force participation rate of women, jeopardizing inclusivity of the labour force. As an overall societal and financial effect, every year sexual harassment denies its victims, mainly women from active social participation, and costs crores of rupees in lost educational & professional opportunities and prospects for mostly girls and women.

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