Mumbai Mirror, Tuesday, 9 Feb 10: page 4 – “Bank may sack staffer over sexual harassment charge”
While our country has made significant economic progress over the years, it continues to remain way behind when it comes to sexual harassment policies and laws at the workplace. Agreed that the apex court has framed laws that punish sexual harassment at workplaces but that’s not enough; most employers continue to have a lax attitude towards this issue.
In most reported cases, the perpetrator is either let off too easily or if he or she is a good performer then matters are often even overlooked, what is worse is that the victim is made to believe that it was perhaps his or her doing that lead to the sexual misdemeanour in the first place.
The need of the hour is not punishment; employers need to take up this issue more seriously and take concrete preventive measures to ensure the safety of its most valuable resource – the human capital. Employees need to be made fully aware of what constitutes sexual harassment (am sure most of you would be surprised to know that sending lewd jokes on the office e-mail does indeed fall within this purview); sensitivity training for employees could go a long way in fostering a respectful, professional and congenial working environment.
What is foremost is that the employers offer the aggrieved employee the comfort of approaching an unbiased third party (such as an external counsellor) without the fear of demotion or loss of employment.
It goes without saying that proven cases of sexual harassment be dealt with utmost seriousness with the punishment itself acting as a deterrent.
Today, several cases of sexual harassment go unreported causing much emotional distress to the victim; it is the employer’s legal and moral responsibility to ensure that sexual harassment be dealt with in a sensitive and appropriate manner.
Subscribe by RSS
Dr Sushma Jaiswal Said,
February 10, 2010 @ 3:10 pm
Sexual harassment is all over – the moment you step out of home (in some cases even at home!), and true often the victim is made to believe that it was he or she who has to be blamed.
One of the most concrete preventive measures start at home itself, educating the girl/boy of what sexual harrassment is/ how to prevent/and what to do when it happens.
Don’t mess with me attitude always works…when the perpetrator has the fear of being exposed surprisingly they usually prefer to keep off from such person.
I completely agree with you Priyanka it is the employer’s legal and above all MORAL responsibility to ensure not only physical but emotional security as well. And all those who do not have the support need to support themselves to come out and speak, if harassing is illegal than getting victimised is equally criminal, if you will not fight for yourself than no one will.
Remember, you have no right to put yourself in distress for someone elses abnormal, psychological pleasure.
There are many avenues to get out of it only if you chose to find one.
priyankac Said,
February 11, 2010 @ 1:06 pm
thank you very much for the valuable feedback Dr Sushma, i agree with you that the victim who keeps quiet shares an equal blame, thus a need for an outlet where victims feel safe enough to come out in the open.
I look forward to you valuable inputs, thanks again.