Sexual harassment at the workplace - Know your rights

26 Nov 2013 9:43 PM IST

Sexual harassment at the workplace - Know your rights

In a case of life imitating art, the Tarun Tejpal incident has eerily panned out like Sudhir Mishra's movie 'Inkaar' - based on the issue of sexual harassment at workplace. The film explores - that both men and women must observe certain boundaries
* Speak to one of the designated persons of confidence (if this is provided in your workplace) for advice, if you need to file a complaint.
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* Speak to the harasser in the company of one of the persons of confidence. Be specific about what you do not like and demand that it stops. Make sure someone accompanies you.
* Seek support from friends, family and co-workers.
* Speak to other people at work and find out if they have the same problem from the harasser, or, if this is available in your workplace, you may prefer to speak to one of the designated ‘persons of confidence’ who have been appointed to help those
* Keep a log, of when, where it occurred, including what was said or done, with witnesses if possible. Keep it in a private, safe place – i.e. at home.
* Don’t think it is your fault or that you ‘asked for it'.
According to International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), here's how you can deal with sexual harassment at work.
Whether or not such conduct constitutes an offence under law or a breach of the service rules, an appropriate complaint mechanism should be created in the employer’s organisation for redress of the complaint made by the victim. Such complaint
According to Vishaka Guidelines - It shall be the duty of the employer or other responsible persons in work places or other institutions to prevent or deter the commission of acts of sexual harassment and to provide the procedures for the
Sexual harassment includes many things: Actual or attempted rape or sexual assault; unwanted pressure for sexual favors; unwanted deliberate touching, leaning over, cornering, or pinching; unwanted sexual looks or gestures; unwanted letters,
Unwelcome Behavior is the critical word. Unwelcome does not mean "involuntary." A victim may consent or agree to certain conduct and actively participate in it even though it is offensive and objectionable. Therefore, sexual conduct is
Or, submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for employment decisions affecting such individual. Or, such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or
The EEOC has defined sexual harassment in its guidelines as: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or
Despite India's economic liberalisation which began more than two decades ago, bringing with it more progressive Western ideas of gender equality and women's empowerment, women continue to face a barrage of threats due to traditional patriarchal

In a case of life imitating art, the Tarun Tejpal incident has eerily panned out like Sudhir Mishra's movie 'Inkaar' - based on the issue of sexual harassment at workplace. The film explores - that both men and women must observe certain boundaries

Sexual harassment at the workplace - Know your rights

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Sexual harassment at the workplace - Know your rights

Sexual harassment at the workplace - Know your rights

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