'Humiliating treatment' of women may amount to sexual harassment, says government

New Delhi, Nov 26: Humiliating treatment which is likely to affect women government employees' health or safety may amount to sexual harassment, the government said today.

"The implied or explicit promise of preferential or detrimental treatment in employment, threat about present or future employment and humiliating treatment likely to affect her health or safety may amount to sexual harassment," Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

Besides, interference with her work or creating an intimidating or offensive or hostile work environment for women employees may amount to sexual harassment, he said. The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has amended the services rules on November 19 to check sexual harassment of women at work place.

As per the new definition under the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 sexual harassment includes physical contact and advances, a demand or request for sexual favours, making sexually coloured remarks, showing pornography and any other unwelcome physical, verbal, non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature, the reply said.

As per rules, work place includes any department, organisation, undertaking, establishment, enterprise, institution, office, branch or unit which is established, owned, controlled or wholly or substantially financed by funds provided directly or indirectly by the central government.

PTI