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#MeToo at the Workplace: Exploring Sexual Harassment Experienced by Female Employees in Private Sector Organisations in Delhi-NCR


Affiliations
1 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, India
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, India
     

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This study explores sexual harassment experiences of female employees in private sector organisations in Delhi-NCR. Adopting a mixed methods approach, a 3-part survey tool was used to gather data from 206 female employees. The experiences of 20 participants who had reported sexual harassment were then qualitatively explored through semi-structured interviews. While significant differences in the experience of sexual harassment were found across marital status and age groups, no significant difference were found between women at different designation levels. Although high levels of awareness were found (80.1%), several social, attitudinal and systemic barriers prevented women from accessing complaints mechanisms and taking action. A lack of trust in the system, a tendency to normalise sexual harassment, and to change one’s own demeanour at work to prevent harassment was also observed. This indicates the need to bring about a shift in both societal and organisational attitudes to implement anti sexual harassment policies successfully.

Keywords

Workplace Sexual Harassment, Barriers, Age, Marital Status.
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  • #MeToo at the Workplace: Exploring Sexual Harassment Experienced by Female Employees in Private Sector Organisations in Delhi-NCR

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Authors

Kanika K. Ahuja
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, India
Priyanka Padhy
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, India
Garima Srivastava
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, India

Abstract


This study explores sexual harassment experiences of female employees in private sector organisations in Delhi-NCR. Adopting a mixed methods approach, a 3-part survey tool was used to gather data from 206 female employees. The experiences of 20 participants who had reported sexual harassment were then qualitatively explored through semi-structured interviews. While significant differences in the experience of sexual harassment were found across marital status and age groups, no significant difference were found between women at different designation levels. Although high levels of awareness were found (80.1%), several social, attitudinal and systemic barriers prevented women from accessing complaints mechanisms and taking action. A lack of trust in the system, a tendency to normalise sexual harassment, and to change one’s own demeanour at work to prevent harassment was also observed. This indicates the need to bring about a shift in both societal and organisational attitudes to implement anti sexual harassment policies successfully.

Keywords


Workplace Sexual Harassment, Barriers, Age, Marital Status.

References