Abuse and Harassment in the Workplace

Forced Labour is illegal in Bangladesh! ·       Are all forms of work or service from any person, who has not worked voluntarily ·       Disrespects basic human rights ·       Work is not acceptable under threat or force ·       Employer cannot force women to work at night ·       Employers cannot force persons to work overtime ·       Employers cannot withhold payments or identity cards of workers ·       A worker has the right to leave and lunch and toilet breaks ·       A worker must be free to change employment!

Discuss what can be done about it.

Abuse and Harassment in the Workplace                               30 Min

Providing feedback in the workplace to employees is important and can contribute to the overall productivity of an enterprise. However, it is critical that feedback is provided in a way where an employee feels respected and encouraged to learn. Refer to the session 1.3 about communication, and highlight that positive, specific feedback is important to be constructive. There are instances, when employees feel pressurised and intimidated and face various forms of abuse and harassment in the workplace. The situation often does not allow them to raise their voice since they fear that they could lose their job. Abuse, harassment and discrimination can be subtle and leave a person doubting whether he/she ‘deserves’ to be treated this way and whether it is his/her fault. Being able to understand when abuse and harassment takes place is therefore very important.

What is Harassment and abuse, what is positive feedback? Discuss the list of statements and identify whether it is abuse of feedback.

Visual Aid 3.5.3: Criticism or Abuse?

- Again!......You are so stupid! -       You just do not get it, do you? -       Look here, I do not think you did the job correctly…. Why don’t you try it this way? -       You are always late; I find your excuses just ridiculous!

-       What do you think we should do so that your quality improves? -       Look at her, how she is doing the work! -       Again you have been sick, I just cannot count on you. -       I should never have hired you. -       This is your mistake! I am cutting your salary.