Facets of Workplace Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment in the workplace has many forms, dimensions, layers, and nuances. While it may be very easy for anyone sitting outside any case or incident to comment and give advice as an observer or a non-affected party, it is also crucial to spend some time understanding it.

This article has a summed-up collection of videos that have been able to capture these nuances. I am always in awe of creators who can identify nuances and play them out for the world to understand them better.

At Ungender, we made the same attempt with the help of the wonderful Girliyapa Team last year. Released around the same time as IWD2021, this video allows you to see the world of the workplace from a single-gender lens and experience the language, humor, practices, and even the gendered approach to "diversity and inclusion".

How will sexual harassment acts be understood under the extent of "intent and perception"?

This one speaks about the perspective of the speaker and the perception of the receiver. Often, one is blinded by societal norms and is oblivious of the power construct. In this short film, the importance of one’s perception is given merit in qualifying the incident and experience irrespective of what the world around is able to see or perceive. Your story, your truth. 

What role can one play as a bystander in such instances?

This is an important one on the role of bystander and their intervention. A lot of times, one might think that being neutral is the best approach. Not speaking up, not saying anything when a wrong is happening is as bad as you doing it. It is not easy to stand up to someone in power and authority, and at that point, as a colleague, as a friend- stand up with them, behind them, for them. 

Does one have to wait for something extreme to happen before pushing back? If not, how can one reclaim the boundaries at the workplace?

This is on the subtle form of sexual harassment that goes unnoticed for as long as someone does not become as shameless and outrageous as the person extending this behavior- because how else will I or anyone prove “staring”! Everyone is watching things happening silently. There is no power, no authority here preventing them to speak up. But how the most of the things in the workplace go, if it's not happening to me, then why should I object. 

Patriarchy has two siblings- Internalised sexism and Benevolent sexism. Recognising the difference allows us to address it with the required intervention.

This is one of my fav in the series of everything that is part of it. This one showcases sexual harassment in the garb of care, fatherly concern, accident, and an instant show of “if you are not okay, then it is okay”. Very commonly practiced in the workplaces with absolute awareness of the power dynamics and authority on the consent equation. Watch the entire series in this if you have some time. 

The journey of sexual harassment - starting from home to office.

This one is crisp, straightforward and direct in its messaging. Showcasing how sexual harassment extends from things that happen at home (yes, this law puts all of us working women under the same lens, which is great, isn’t it?) to how it is sometimes under the garb of sleazy jokes, and then a threat to continuity of employment. I personally like this one because it sends the message to men that at home as well, their behavior needs some shifting. 

Watch this one just to get the multi-faceted view of what happens and how layered investigations can be. Not focusing on the legalities here but the perspectives, intent, expressions, and observations of different people in an organization is played out. 

This one is taking a humorous spin on workplace sexual harassment and the age old question what is and what is not considered offensive and inappropriate at workplace. And if it is all subjective then how do we now know how to behave with women in the workplace? Well, its not that subjective and it is not that confusing.

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Understanding this concept is not easy. Explaining it is the same. But, we will and we must give as many attempts as possible. I have been on this journey for the past 2 decades and have been continuing this work with individuals, government, and corporates. After having handled close to 800 cases of workplace sexual harassment, I still get surprised and still capable of shocks.

Write to me if you need any advice on a case. Reach out if you need advice on setting things right in YOUR workplace. And feel free to comment for any discussion and observation.