Any kind of harassment in the workplace can be really intimidating and can cause havoc to the woman who is a victim of it at her workplaces. It affects her severely for months or sometimes years, even after they have left the organisation. Sexual harassment is one type that is based on sex of the person, and more often than not, women are the victims of sexual harassment in their workplaces. Sexual harassment is classified into two categories:

1. Quid Pro Quo:
   It is a latin phrase meaning “something for something”. In the above context, it essentially means seeking sexual favours or advances in exchange for providing benefits at work like higher pay, promotion, etc. Women are generally a victim since a lot of industries are still male dominant in our country, and when such expectations are denied, the perpetrator may threaten to or do something to tarnish the victim’s image or make the work environment hostile for them.
2. Hostile Work Environment:
   The major difference between this and quid pro quo is that here, the harasser does not offer any employee benefits to the person they are harassing. Rather, they tend to create an environment with acts such as repeated sexual comments, gestures, etc, to intimidate the victim and create a situation where the victim is not able to do their job.

The victims of sexual harassment are affected in more ways than one. It can affect them psychologically, physically and socially. Many of them have had episodes of depression, fear and anxiety to an extent that it has caused them health issues, difficulty in trusting people and greatly affected their relationships with their families.

Employee Crossings specialises in creating awareness about sexual harassment in workplaces with our clients spread across the nation. We know how crucial it is for companies to create a healthy work environment where all their employees can work in harmony and peace, without any fear of bias or harassment.

Our expert panel helps in reviewing the sexual harassment policies of organisations and helps in implementing our programme, called POSH (Prevention Of Sexual Harassment), by providing them the necessary guidelines and procedures. We also hold workshops to educate the employees and make them aware of all aspects of Indian laws on workplace harassment, and how to handle them if they or someone around them is a victim of one. It also enables the HR on how to take preventive measures, handle complaints and the further actions to be taken.

Every organisation should take preventive measures to tackle the problem of harassment. An office should be a place where every individual can contribute, learn and grow in a healthy and safe environment.