Well said Sonal...I totally agree with you, sexual harassment is not a topic to be discussed only by Women. As one of the members said it could be from Female to Male aswell. Chandini
From India, Bangalore
1From India, Bangalore
Dear Sonal,
I am asking for female members to respond not because of the issue involved but I want a comprehensive discussion on the topic. Say whatever you want to say for or against, so that we as HR can create an optimum environment to eradicate this crime. Look I as a man while creating a policy may not be able to fully understand the women's point of view and vice versa. So, it is essential that women folks participate. This is not a debate but a discussion which we all should give our input and frame a policy and post it at this site, so that all HRs can implement and benefit not only now but also in the future.
Like I agree that you can often get ridculed if you speak out. Yes, this is one of the major drawbacks in arriving at the settlement, but the fear of ridiculed must be overcome, I may sound philosophical but people need to get idealistic sometime in live and look beyond the personal to the overall picture. By keeping quiet you will allow the culprit to get embolded and carry out his adventure, but you may get ridiculed for a certain period of time (will decrease as time heals everything) but you are going to stop the maniac once and for all.
Kind Regards,
SC
From India, Thane
I am asking for female members to respond not because of the issue involved but I want a comprehensive discussion on the topic. Say whatever you want to say for or against, so that we as HR can create an optimum environment to eradicate this crime. Look I as a man while creating a policy may not be able to fully understand the women's point of view and vice versa. So, it is essential that women folks participate. This is not a debate but a discussion which we all should give our input and frame a policy and post it at this site, so that all HRs can implement and benefit not only now but also in the future.
Like I agree that you can often get ridculed if you speak out. Yes, this is one of the major drawbacks in arriving at the settlement, but the fear of ridiculed must be overcome, I may sound philosophical but people need to get idealistic sometime in live and look beyond the personal to the overall picture. By keeping quiet you will allow the culprit to get embolded and carry out his adventure, but you may get ridiculed for a certain period of time (will decrease as time heals everything) but you are going to stop the maniac once and for all.
Kind Regards,
SC
From India, Thane
Ok, I got your statement and thank you for clarifying it. I guess it was a communication gap. I agree with you absolutely in your opinion that very few women dare to come out and speak against such issues.
The need of the hour is more sensitivity than ever before...
From India, Mumbai
The need of the hour is more sensitivity than ever before...
From India, Mumbai
Hi SC,
Of course, this is a burning issue ever and is going to be for years to come simply because a huge mindset turnover should happen when it comes to any kind of gender bias and to be more specific sexual harrassment meted on women in workplace. My thoughts are as follows:
1. It is very hard or takes a considerable time for a woman to fathom sexual advances. Most of the time it is subtle and when you are denied a promotion the bottomline is gender. It could be due to lack of understanding of sexual advances or refusual of the same. The underlying factor is your are a women and you get what you deserve with some conditions. that is it. It is true that gender violance is more to do with power and less so to do with sex.
2. we are brought up with gender perceptions. A woman carries her own baggage like, she cannot do certain things by herself, she has to take men's help. Both man & woman contribute to this perception. One such is only 'vampish' or 'fast' women climb the ladder of success in work place. This happens more due to career aspirations of a woman. If a woman chooses career to marriage then she is termed with 'loose character' and is subjected to sexual harrassment.
3. Very few such cases are reported. Huge number of harassments go unnoticed. Why? It is difficult to prove and very few stay with the grieved woman to support. She will be left all alone in this battle. So why take the risk.
4. The stigma of society is also another factor. If a women is sexually harrassed it is due to her and not the man. As is it is posted, dressing style. now this is again matter of perception and mindset. What explanation can one give to the underage girls who get raped? is it provcative dress?
5. Regarding reporting to the police station. Our police fraternity should be sensitive in such cases. But, instead, the insinuation is it is the girl's fault in getting harrassed. Most of them refuse to accept FIRs as it is a messy affair.
6. Most of the women simply do not know what can be done, what should be done and that they are entitled for a free lawyer to fight the case. There are enough laws to protect women problem is very few know.
Lastly, all of us, women and men should leave gender out of business/workforce. Respect each other and work we do and promote conducive atmosphere. Most importantly, a workshop on Gender Communication should be given in all the induction programs of all companies.
DK
From India, Mangaluru
Of course, this is a burning issue ever and is going to be for years to come simply because a huge mindset turnover should happen when it comes to any kind of gender bias and to be more specific sexual harrassment meted on women in workplace. My thoughts are as follows:
1. It is very hard or takes a considerable time for a woman to fathom sexual advances. Most of the time it is subtle and when you are denied a promotion the bottomline is gender. It could be due to lack of understanding of sexual advances or refusual of the same. The underlying factor is your are a women and you get what you deserve with some conditions. that is it. It is true that gender violance is more to do with power and less so to do with sex.
2. we are brought up with gender perceptions. A woman carries her own baggage like, she cannot do certain things by herself, she has to take men's help. Both man & woman contribute to this perception. One such is only 'vampish' or 'fast' women climb the ladder of success in work place. This happens more due to career aspirations of a woman. If a woman chooses career to marriage then she is termed with 'loose character' and is subjected to sexual harrassment.
3. Very few such cases are reported. Huge number of harassments go unnoticed. Why? It is difficult to prove and very few stay with the grieved woman to support. She will be left all alone in this battle. So why take the risk.
4. The stigma of society is also another factor. If a women is sexually harrassed it is due to her and not the man. As is it is posted, dressing style. now this is again matter of perception and mindset. What explanation can one give to the underage girls who get raped? is it provcative dress?
5. Regarding reporting to the police station. Our police fraternity should be sensitive in such cases. But, instead, the insinuation is it is the girl's fault in getting harrassed. Most of them refuse to accept FIRs as it is a messy affair.
6. Most of the women simply do not know what can be done, what should be done and that they are entitled for a free lawyer to fight the case. There are enough laws to protect women problem is very few know.
Lastly, all of us, women and men should leave gender out of business/workforce. Respect each other and work we do and promote conducive atmosphere. Most importantly, a workshop on Gender Communication should be given in all the induction programs of all companies.
DK
From India, Mangaluru
Dear Sid,
You are right first thing to is to frame a polivcy followed by a pledge signed by all employees to follow the policy, the next thing is to frame how to carry on the prosecution and finally redressal and corrective measures available.
Further inputs expected.
Regards,
SC
From India, Thane
You are right first thing to is to frame a polivcy followed by a pledge signed by all employees to follow the policy, the next thing is to frame how to carry on the prosecution and finally redressal and corrective measures available.
Further inputs expected.
Regards,
SC
From India, Thane
HI Swastik,
It is really a good initiative to discuss these issues in this forum.
I apologise as I was not able to see this post earlier.
According to me, in India most of the sexual harrassment happens with females (my ex colleague has done a PhD on this topic). As per her survey report 86% cases happens with women employees and only 21 percent is because of giving green signal and then red signal as written by somebody.
Yes, it is also true that Harrassment happens with men as well, I have seen that in my career, a woman boss exploiting male subordinate in a very well known company.
We have a policy in place for this specific issue and there is a toll free number where any one experiencing any kind of harrassment can report to with surity of not disclosing their identity in front of the accused.
Ours is a 33 years old MNC and till date only 2 cases of such harrassment have been reported. I think it purely depends upon the conduct of both females and males in the organisation.
Regards
Archna
From India, Delhi
It is really a good initiative to discuss these issues in this forum.
I apologise as I was not able to see this post earlier.
According to me, in India most of the sexual harrassment happens with females (my ex colleague has done a PhD on this topic). As per her survey report 86% cases happens with women employees and only 21 percent is because of giving green signal and then red signal as written by somebody.
Yes, it is also true that Harrassment happens with men as well, I have seen that in my career, a woman boss exploiting male subordinate in a very well known company.
We have a policy in place for this specific issue and there is a toll free number where any one experiencing any kind of harrassment can report to with surity of not disclosing their identity in front of the accused.
Ours is a 33 years old MNC and till date only 2 cases of such harrassment have been reported. I think it purely depends upon the conduct of both females and males in the organisation.
Regards
Archna
From India, Delhi
Community Support and Knowledge-base on business, career and organisational prospects and issues - Register and Log In to CiteHR and post your query, download formats and be part of a fostered community of professionals.
Handbook on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace.pdf