As the countries across the world are gripped with global pandemic COVID 19 the Nation wise lockdown in India has not only brought work to home but also sexual harassment it has almost been a year since companies have worked in a normal workspace and with the menace of second wave along with the possibility of the third wave , there are higher chances of continuation of this work from home trend.
The term sexual harassment means uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical behavior by a person in a workplace, the issue of sexual harassment has always been neglected in India .despite the statuary litigation present in the Indian Penal Code, 1860, The POsh act,2013 and The information technology act,2000. The “new normal’ of work from home trend has not only brought work to home but also a virtual form of sexual harassment at home. This virtual harassment includes getting one on one video calls at unsuitable timings, passing inappropriate comments intentionally and unintentionally during meetings, stalking social media accounts, inappropriate dressing by male colleagues etc.
With the economic malaise in India, millions of Indians have lost jobs so employees want to continue their jobs to prevent themselves from the financial crisis, the importance of having a job this time along with virtual sexual harassment is causing mental health issues to a very large portion of women in our country. Does the advent of the new normal have given a license to invade the privacy of personal life?
Organizations should know where to draw a line between private and professional life and establish their liability as employees along with that the government needs to create some ground rules for this virtual setting of business along with being more active at the level of enforcement of existing laws.
In case of any doubts in matter pertaining to POSH Laws in Faridabad you can contact –
Advocate Sunil Kumar Bakshi
Office – 2043/16 Faridabad – 121002, Near Jain Mandir
Also At – Chamber No.272, District & Sessions Court, Faridabad.
Mobile – +91-9873750515, 9811680103
Website – www.bakshiandassociates.com