Prevention of sexual harassment has become a priority for most organisations where even employees need to be at their professional best, says Dr Asha Bhandarke
In the wake of the new laws constituted in India in 2013, corporate sector has been trying to respond to prevent sexual harassment and make the workplace safer for women. It has emerged that the problem is more prevalent in the ITes and banking sectors. Why does sexual harassment occur in the first placeIJ
like all relationships, this is generally nested within complex interpersonal relations between two persons, in which perceptions are as important as in any relationship. There are some reasons why it occurs:
Attraction turned sour: When there is a consensual relationship between two persons, anything goes. However, when the relationship turns sour, the same behaviours which were accepted at one time, can be seen to be offensive. lack of reciprocation can lead to sense of rejection, humiliation and in the extreme case, trigger the desire for revenge to assuage the hurt ego. This can lead to nasty behaviours, Facebook posts, rumour mongering, trying to defame and so on. The person who rejects, on the other hand might find the previously ‘liked’ behaviours as offensive. For example, touch, calling out the name aloud, physical proximity even after the relationship is over etc.
Unintentional behaviours: There is a tendency to unintentionally get into situations of harassment; certain behaviours may be offensive to another person where there is no relationship, even something as innocuous as using one’s short name or pet name in public can be construed as harassment.
Power based: When there is a power based relationship between two persons that is when one is a boss and the other party is a subordinate the scope for harassment exists. The higher power holder can intimidate or threaten the lower power holder; while the lower power holder can be fearful of loss. How to prevent sexual harassment at the workplaceIJ
Organisational level
Organisations must quickly put in place a high profile Internal Complaints Committee, to whom people can put up their complaints.
Organisations must develop a policy of zero tolerance to sexual harassment.
There should be quick and visible action taken on complaints.
Wide awareness needs to be developed on what constitutes sexual harassment so that there is less scope for unintended errors.
Organisations must create a positive work culture where people of both sexes can work together without feeling threatened and unsafe.
Individual level
The workplace is a dominantly professional context and hence, professional behaviour is important. Build your credibility so that you are less vulnerable to attacks on your image.
Dress appropriately to your workplace. Dress code may vary from company to company and it is useful to dress within the limits tolerated by your organisation.
Be alert to workplace predators.
Take workplace relationships slowly rather than rushing in and then repenting later.
If you don’t like a certain behaviour say this politely to the person in a one to one context. A lot of misunderstanding takes place when you give mixed signals.
If certain behaviours go beyond a point, its your responsibility to complain to the Internal Complaints Committee.