Monitoring Sexual Harassment– The following measures are suggested to combat and prevent Sexual Harassment at the workplace.
- There shall be strict implementation and effective monitoring of the policy against Sexual Harassment.
- There shall be more consultation with the parties concerned.
- Human Rights Commission shall be more adequately stuffed for education, complaints, and monitoring of the policy
- Informal, unorganized workers who are more vulnerable particularly young workers and those in casual employment shall be targeted and covered by the protective labor legislation.
- Inclusion of setting up Complaint Committee within the Industrial Disputes Act.
- There shall be more Awareness campaigns to educate the general public about the rights and penalties and prevent sexual harassment
The employer must monitor the following:
- First and foremost, acknowledge that it is your legal responsibility to provide a safe working environment for women free from sexual harassment and discrimination and that you can be held liable for sexual harassment by employees.
- Know that sexual harassment can have a devastating effect on the health, confidence, morale, and performance of those affected by it. The anxiety and stress produced by sexual harassment commonly lead to those subjected to it taking time off due to sickness, being less efficient at work, or leaving their job to seek work elsewhere.
- Understand the reasons why women remain silent about sexual harassment. An absence of complaints about sexual harassment does not necessarily mean an
- Absence of sexual harassment. It may mean that the recipients of sexual harassment think that there is no point in complaining because:
- Nothing will be done about it;
- It will be trivialized;
- The complaints will be subjected to ridicule, or
- They fear reprisals.
- Recognize the tangible and intangible expenses and losses organizations experience:
- Costly investigation and litigation
- Negative exposure and publicity
- Embarrassing depositions
- Lowered employee morale
- Reduced productivity
- Decreased efficiency
- Higher employee turnover
- Erosion of the organization’s brand name, goodwill, and public image
- Negative impact on stock price
The best way to prevent sexual harassment is to adopt a comprehensive sexual harassment policy. The aim is to ensure that sexual harassment does not occur and, where it does occur, to ensure that adequate procedures are readily available to deal with the problem and prevent its recurrence.
