What are the known issues @ Workplaces with respect to Women Safety?
An issue or challenge in the workplace is when women are mistreated physically or mentally or when power is abused in order to scare, threaten, intimidate, or gain control over them. Issues or challenges can be physical, mental, spiritual, financial, sexual, or emotionally harmful.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in 2019, a total of 7,148 cases of crimes against women were registered in the workplace across India. This includes cases of sexual harassment, assault, and verbal abuse against women employees. The number of crimes against women in the workplace shows a slight increase from the previous year, which recorded 7,055 cases. It is essential to note that these statistics may not reflect the total number of incidents, as many cases go unreported due to fear of retaliation or social stigma.
There can be various issues that can arise in the workplace. Some of the most common issues experienced by women in the workplace are:
Gender Discrimination
Gender discrimination of women in the workplace refers to any unfair treatment towards female employees based on their gender such as unequal pay, denying promotions, sexual harassment, or lack of opportunities, resulting in a hostile work environment that negatively affects the women's work performance, job satisfaction & retention rate.
Poor Work-life Balance
A poor work-life balance for women in the workplace can lead to negative outcomes like job dissatisfaction, burnout, reduced productivity, and early career departure. Women's caregiving and household responsibilities can make it difficult to manage work and personal commitments. Women may lack flexible work arrangements, limiting their ability to catch up on personal responsibilities and jeopardizing their mental health.
Lack of Diversity & Representation
Underrepresentation of women in the workforce can impede diversity and inclusion, creating barriers to job opportunities, hindering career growth, and contributing to gender pay gaps, sexual harassment, and gender-based inequality in promotions, ultimately compromising organizational performance & undermining female advancement.
Bullying
Bullying of women in the workplace is any behavior that is intended to cause or should be known to cause, fear, intimidation, humiliation, distress, or other forms of harm to another person's body, feelings, self-esteem, reputation, or property. Bullying can be direct or indirect and can take place by written verbal, physical, electronic means, or any other form of expression at the workplace.
Harassment
Harassment in the workplace is any unwelcome action or comment by any person that humiliates, insults or degrades an employee.
Stereotyping
Stereotyping of women in the workplace involves making gender-based generalizations about a woman's capabilities and behavior that can negatively impact their career advancement and create a hostile work environment.
Verbal Abuse
Verbal Abuse of women in the workplace is a type of abuse that involves the use of derogatory, threatening, or demeaning language against an employee. It could include shouting, name-calling, or any other form of communication that creates a hostile work environment.
Physical Abuse
Physical Abuse of women in the workplace involves any form of physical assault or violence committed against an employee. It could include hitting, slapping, or any other physical activity that causes harm or injury to women.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional Abuse of women in the workplace refers to the use of intimidation or manipulation to control or harm an employee emotionally. It could include bullying, gaslighting, or any other form of emotional manipulation.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment of women in the workplace is any unwanted sexual activity or sexual contact. It ranges from unwanted touching to forcing someone to have sex. Sexual harassment can include but is not limited to:
- Degrading words, pictures, objects, or gestures
- Physical contact
- Sexual demands
- Unwanted kissing or touching of a sexual nature
Pregnancy Discrimination
Pregnancy Discrimination of women in the workplace involves denying women their rights during pregnancy, like maternity leave, medical benefits, or promotions because of their pregnancy or motherhood status. These forms of abuse violate women's rights and are detrimental to their physical & mental well-being. Employers must create a safe and respectful work environment free from all forms of abuse & must take prompt action to address any violation of women's rights.
