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Mental Harassment at Workplace

Psychological harassment or emotional abuse suffered by individuals at their workplaces constitutes workplace harassment. This article sheds light on the challenges faced by employees enduring such abuse and examines its profound impact on their health and personal lives.

WHAT DOES HARASSMENT MEAN?

Harassment encompasses unwelcome discriminatory conduct based on various attributes. It becomes unlawful under specific conditions, notably when it creates an intimidating, hostile, or abusive work environment.

TYPES OF HARASSMENT

1. Mental Harassment
2. Physical Harassment
3. Discriminatory Harassment
4. Sexual Harassment
5. Emotional or Psychological Harassment
6. Cyberbullying

MENTAL HARASSMENT AT WORKPLACE

In today’s professional landscape, mental harassment is pervasive, often arising from blurred lines between respecting authority and enduring unreasonable demands without question. Organizational cultures may disguise bullying as tradition, perpetuating hierarchical abuse.

Unlike physical abuse, mental harassment lacks visible indicators but significantly impacts emotional and psychological well-being, leading to reduced productivity and absenteeism.

LAWS PROHIBITING WORKPLACE MENTAL HARASSMENT

Various legal provisions aim to protect employees from harassment:

• Section 294 of IPC: Addresses obscene acts in public.
• Section 509 of IPC: Protects modesty of women.
• Section 503 of IPC: Covers criminal intimidation.
• Section 504 of IPC: Deals with intentional insults.
• Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946: Ensures workplace discipline.
• Maternity Benefit Act, 1961: Safeguards maternity rights.

LANDMARK CASES AND JUDGMENTS

• Vishaka & Ors. vs. State of Rajasthan: Highlights sexual harassment's emotional toll.
• UP Dookan and Vanijya Adhistan Adhiniyam, 1962: Mandates commercial establishment regulations.
• Consumer Education and Research Centre v. Union of India: Defines worker rights under 'right to life.'

EXAMPLES OF WORKPLACE HARASSMENT

1. Being targeted unfairly.
2. Credit theft.
3. Demeaning behavior.
4. Malicious emails.
5. Exclusion from meetings.
6. Social isolation.
7. Sabotage.
8. Verbal abuse.
9. Health deterioration due to stress.

REMEDIES AGAINST MENTAL HARASSMENT

Employees can seek justice through internal mechanisms, labor unions, or legal avenues such as whistleblower policies and vigil mechanisms.