Harassment done towards women at work place has increased rapidly and it is observed at every week a new company is in the news for such sexual harassment scandal. Women have indeed been perceived to be inferior to men for centuries, and as a result, are socially conditioned to be so from an early age. Sexual harassment can take many different types. Even if sexual harassment has existed since living beings initially occupied the entire planet, it has just recently been recognized as a serious and real problem, particularly at work.
In a survey by Indian National Bar Association it is observed that 69% women face sexual harassment at workplace and about 38% did not file a complaint for such harassment because of the fear of losing job and stain in the society. Mostly the harassment is done with married women as compare to widows, divorced and unmarried women because married women is treated safe by the hatchet man. This blog talks about various types of sexual harassment and examples which makes it easy to understand its types.
● Quid Pro Quo –This for that means that person is in the position of higher authority and demands sexual favors in order to enjoy the job benefit provided to the working women.
● Discriminatory Harassment- As the name its self suggests discrimination done on women which includes age, race, religion, color, physical and mental ability.
● Personal Harassment- harassment done on women by passing offensive jokes and inappropriate or rude comments.
● Physical Harassment- It includes inappropriate touch or physical attacks or threats which in extreme case known as assault.
Sexual harassment is a type of unequal treatment that supports social harassment, verbal and nonverbal behaviors, unwanted sexual attention and sexual coercion. Over the last three decades, the prevalence rate of sex discrimination in various industries has remained consistent; however, with more women in the workforce, more women are currently undergoing sexual misconduct as they perform their duties.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine established a special informal research project commission of research groups, business and academia leaders, and others with expertise on this topic in 2016, with guidance from CWSEM, to explore the problem and how sexual harassment could be addressed.
TYPES AND EXAMPLE OF SEXUAL HARRASMENT AT WORKPLACE
1. Discriminatory harassment by higher authority or colleagues- Discrimination is defined as the unfair or discriminatory treatment of individuals or groups predicated on traits like ethnicity, sexual identity, maturity level, or sexual orientation. It also includes racial harassment in which racial jokes, memes or images is shared on him or Insulting or derogatory remarks about the victim's race or a race in general is done.
Example- Sheba is a Muslim who works as a local government nurse. His boss constantly compliments him on his dress sense and questionnaires her about Islamic customs.
2. This for that i.e. demands of sexual favor- "Quid pro quo" is a Latin phrase that translates to "this for that." In other words, in terms of Sexual Harassment, this kind of assault occurs when someone harasses you with the intent of obtaining one thing from you as a return for the next thing that you obtain.
Example- My boss ask me to stay in bed with him in order to get raise in benefit provided by the company
3. Verbal harassment and non-verbal harassment- Verbal harassment does not always include physical contact. It occurs through inappropriate remarks, sexually suggestive statements, and other means. Non-verbal harassment is when an individual at employment starts sending you sexual messages or pictures. Unwanted physical contact is, of course, sexual harassment. This includes time to brush up against somebody, touching, leaning in, hugging, and other actions.
Example- Verbal harassment- Inquiring regarding sexual desires, preferences, or past experiences
Non-verbal harassment- Using hands or body movements to make sexual gestures
4. Physical harassment- Physical harassment, also known as workplace violence, refers to work related sexual harassment that involves physical assaults or threats. Physical gestures like pushing or a smooth knock to the neck can blur the distinction between appropriate and inappropriate. The individual who is being targeted is in charge of determining whether the behaviour bothers them.
Example- Massaging the women neck or shoulder, or touching the garments, hair, or body
5. Personal harassment- Personal harassment is workplace harassment that is not based on a protected class. It frequently targets the victim's work, personality, or appearance, but it can also be generalised behaviour that displeases this same person, such as telling an offensive joke. Simply, it is bullying at its most basic. It is not technically illegal, but it can be harmful.
Example- offensive language, character attacks, and manifestations of disgrace or intolerance towards a specific race.
To overcome such type of incidents, women should record all things including name, position and type of harassment they face. Also women should collect date, location and name and collect as much as evidence as possible. One should also tell her colleague or anyone close to confirm the testimony. Rash decision or anything unreasonable should not be done by women as it may provide negative impact on her.
It is very much important to handle the complaint very well and should not stop until resolution is provided and necessary action is taken. At prime facia, any type of sexual harassment should not be avoided as it may result to severe consequences of such ignorance. She must be aware of the laws and remedies to avoid suffering.
The Government should make special rules and regulations and lay down guidelines if any such unfortunate incident happens. The HR of such workplace should also take reasonable steps to provide justice to the victim and a positive environment should be maintained by the company's working member. Equality should prevail at the workplace making a healthy environment for all the members. Types of harassment posters should be there at the workplace which shall also include the consequences of such incident if done by any company member.
Комментарии