Law and Prevention of Sexual harassment
Sexual
harassment at the workplace or anywhere else is unwelcome sexual behaviour,
which could be expected to make a person feel offended, humiliated or
intimidated. It can be physical, verbal or written. Sexual harassment at the workplace
or anywhere is not consensual interaction, flirtation or friendship. Sexual harassment
is not behaviour that is mutually agreed upon. Sexual harassment is covered in
the workplace when it happens:
·
at work
·
at
work-related events or where people are carrying out work-related functions
·
between
people sharing the same workplace
A single incident is enough to constitute sexual harassment – it doesn’t
have to be repeated. Men experience sexual harassment at the workplace also
other places but it disproportionately affects women, especially in the
workplace. Diversity
and Inclusion consulting can help to prevent sexual harassment at workplace
and also at other places.
Responding to harassment
All incidents of sexual harassment at
the workplace or anywhere – no matter how large or small or who is involved –
require employers or managers to respond quickly and appropriately. Just because someone does
not object to inappropriate behaviour in the workplace at the time, it does not
mean that they are consenting to the behaviour.
The law
Sexual harassment at the
workplace and anywhere else is against the law under the Equal Opportunity Act.
Some types of sexual harassment may also be offences under criminal law. These
include indecent exposure, stalking, sexual assault and obscene or threatening
communications, such as phone calls, letters, emails, text messages and posts
on social networking sites. Employers should consider reporting criminal
offences to the police.
Prevention of Sexual harassment
1.
No
woman shall be subjected to sexual harassment at any workplace.
2.
The
following circumstances, among other circumstances, if it occurs, or is present
in relation to or connected with any act or behaviour of sexual harassment may
amount to sexual harassment:
i.
implied
or explicit promise of preferential treatment in her employment; or
ii.
implied
or explicit threat of detrimental treatment in her employment ; or
iii.
implied
or explicit threat about her present or future employment status; or
iv. interference
with her work or creating an intimidating or offensive or hostile work environment for her; or
v. Humiliating
treatment likely to affect her health or safety.
What should you do?
·
Hold
the harasser accountable for his actions. Let people know what he did. Privacy
protects harassers, but visibility undermines them.
·
Objecting
to harassment is a matter of principle and ones right.
·
Don't
respond to the harasser's excuses or diversionary tactics.
·
Speaking
out: Speaking about sexual harassment is an effective tool in combating it. It
mobilizes public opinion against it.
·
Report
such harassment immediately or as soon as possible to the superior officer or
to the police or seek the assistance of any NGO.
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