Workplace harassment
4 months ago
In a party yesterday night, a male colleague said to me(I am also male) in front of many people that -"Sir, we have heard you used to provide alcohol to the dean" • I felt extremely offended and sad, this person is otherwise always nice to me and I consider him a good friend. But I did not think appropriate to reply in front of others. When I came home, I wrote him a private whatsapp message to him saying -"The same people who said such things about me to you also say bad things about you. I have heard them saying that you provided girls to the director"• My intent was only to tell him that such bad people say bad things about everyone. But looks like he has taken this very negatively. Can this be a legal battle? Have I harassed him? Thanks.
Nothing to worry. It is a tit for tat. He provoked you to send such private WhatsApp message to him as such it cannot be resulted in any legal battle.
The POSH Act is a gender-specific act and it deals with only cases relating to harassment faced by women in the workplace. So there will be no case of harassment in the workplace, and regarding the WhatsApp message even if you feel he has taken it in a negative stance it will not amount to any criminal proceeding.
Thank You
Workplace harassment occurs when someone in the workplace harasses, alarms or distresses another person with his or her behavior. Workplace harassment occurs when a co-worker, manager or any other person at the workplace (e.g. a customer, contractor or volunteer) harasses, alarms or distresses another person with his or her behavior. It may also pose a risk to the victim's safety and health. Harassment can take place in any setting: Outside the office such as on business trips On clients' premises At any other work-related occasions It can also happen through Email, Text messaging, and Social media. Once the harassment is complained by an employee, it is resolved following the HR Policy of the Company.