A 2015 ILO study showed that 80 percent of workers reported seeing or hearing about threats and penalties used to force workers to undertake work against their will. Some of the most widely reported forms of harassment included verbal abuse; being forced to work when not feeling well; physical violence; and being locked in the workplace
A safe workplace is therefore a woman’s legal right. Indeed, the Constitutional doctrine of equality and personal liberty is contained in Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Indian Constitution
The right of all women working or visiting any workplace whether in the capacity of regular, temporary, adhoc, or daily wages basis should be protected.
It includes all women whether engaged directly or through an agent including a contractor, with or without the knowledge of the principal employer. They may be working for remuneration, on a voluntary basis or otherwise. Their terms of employment can be express or implied.
Further, she could be a co-worker, a contract worker, probationer, trainee, apprentice, or called by any other such name. The Act also covers a woman, who is working in a dwelling place or house.
Making sexually suggestive remarks or innuendos.
Serious or repeated offensive remarks, such as teasing related to a person’s body or appearance.
Offensive comments or jokes.
Inappropriate questions, suggestions or remarks about a person’s sex life.
Displaying sexist or other offensive pictures, posters, mms, sms, whatsapp, or e-mails.
Intimidation, threats, blackmail around sexual favors.
Threats, intimidation or retaliation against an employee who speaks up about unwelcome behavior with sexual overtones.
Unwelcome social invitations, with sexual overtones commonly understood as flirting.
Unwelcome sexual advances which may or may not be accompanied by promises or threats, explicit or implicit.
Physical contact such as touching or pinching.
Caressing, kissing or fondling someone against her will (could be considered assault)
Invasion of personal space (getting too close for no reason, brushing against or cornering someone)
Persistently asking someone out, despite being turned down.
Stalking an individual.
Abuse of authority or power to threaten a person’s job or undermine her performance against sexual favors.
Falsely accusing and undermining a person behind closed doors for sexual favors.
Controlling a person’s reputation by rumor-mongering about her private life.
Decreased work performance
Increased absenteeism, loss of pay
Loss of promotional opportunities
Retaliation from the respondent, or colleagues/ friends of the respondent
Subjected to gossip and scrutiny at work
Being objectified
Becoming publicly sexualised
Defamation
Being ostracized
Having to relocate
Depression
Anxiety, panic attacks
Traumatic stress
Sleeplessness
Shame, guilt, self-blame
Difficulty in concentrating
Headaches
Fatigue, loss of motivation
Personal Difficulties with time
Feels good
Reciprocal
In-control
Equality
Wanted
Legal
Open
Appreciative
Positive Self Esteem
Feels bad
One-sided
Feels powerless
Power-based
Unwanted
Illegal
Invading
Demeaning
Causes anger/sadness
Causes negative self esteem