preventing sexual harassment at work
DESCRIPTION
Recognise and prevent sexual harassment at work to build safe and respectful workplaces. Learn to identify what could constitute as harassment and how your organisation can help. How individual contributors and managers can be sensitised to the subject.TRANSCRIPT
RECOGNISING AND PREVENTING
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORK
Consider these scenarios at work
Are you aware that both these
cases could be perceived as
sexual harassment?
What identifies these two cases as sexual harassment is the
unwelcome-ness of the behaviour.
*All visuals used are, as seen in Interweave’s e-learning module
Unwelcome includes any behaviour that is • not welcome• not solicited and • not wanted, by the offended person
Note: The intent of the offender is not of as much relevance as the perception and impact on the recipient.
Sexual harassment can manifest in several forms.
It can be: • Verbal – includes sexual innuendo and
other suggestive comments• Non-verbal – includes gestures, sounds,
and offensive written material• Physical – includes intentional touching of
the body and inappropriate display of the body
Sexual harassment is no longer just a ‘moral’ issue.
It is a legal one as well.
A study by Centre for Transforming India, 2010 (IT & BPOs across India) reports:
• 88% of the female workforce suffered some form of sexual harassment
• 47% didn’t know how to report an incident • 82% of the incidents occurred ‘outside’ the
office• 72% of incidents were perpetrated by
superiors
Did you know?
A safe and respectful environment is every employee’s right.
Indian laws safeguard your right to a safe and respectful workplace.
So, how does one report an incident?• Familiarise yourself with the organisation’s
policies and channels. Alternatively, depending on your comfort level approach your boss or HR
• Taking legal help is an option, but this has consequences which one should be aware of
*All visuals used are, as seen in Interweave’s e-learning module
Reporting is important because it impacts: – work performance – the individual and– the work environment, adversely
Often victims are not even aware that they are being sexually harassed. They ignore the harassment and don’t report it.
If you are a Manager (managing a team):
• You have higher responsibilities including legal liabilities, therefore take all allegations seriously
• You are liable even if you are aware of/suspect inappropriate behaviour, but did not take action
If you are an Employer, ensure due diligence by:
• Formulating and communicating a sexual harassment policy
• Constituting a complaints committee as per law
• Educating through training and awareness courses
• Addressing complaints in an immediate and fair manner
• Ensuring confidentiality• Prohibiting retaliation
Sexual harassment is more common than we think.
Learn to recognise and prevent
harassment at work. We all play a role in building a safe and respectful work
environment.
*All visuals used are, as seen in Interweave’s e-learning module
Interweave is a consulting organisation that helps
organisations create a respectful,
safe, and inclusive workplace.
Interweave’s programme, No Excuses:
• Helps managers build a respectful and safe work environment
• Helps individuals learn at their own pace with an e-learning module
Interweave’s e-learning module can help build the required awareness about sexual harassment at work.
The module is:– Interactive– Self-paced– Customised for the Indian workplaces– Ideal for multi-location training
Education is your insurance against legal exposure.
To know more:Call us: +91 80 4148 2787 +91 80 25932516E-mail: [email protected] our website: www.interweave.in
*All visuals used are, as seen in Interweave’s e-learning module
Thank You