Towards Equality: Gender – Neutral Legal Protection in Workplace Harassment

Abstract

This paper explores the under-addressed issue of sexual harassment of men in the workplace, emphasizing the tension between cultural norms and legal protections across different societies. Cultural attitudes often discourage male victims from reporting or recognizing their experiences as harassment. The paper examines case studies from varied legal and cultural settings, identifies barriers to effective redress, and offers a framework for multinational companies to implement culturally sensitive, legally compliant policies. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and in-depth interviews with male employees across urban and semi-urban settings, the study identifies key patterns of harassment, such as verbal abuse, inappropriate touching, and coercive behaviors, often perpetrated by both male and female colleagues or superiors. The findings highlight the societal and cultural barriers, including stigma and rigid masculinity norms, that discourage men from reporting such incidents. Additionally, the research evaluates the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks, like the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, in addressing male victims' grievances. The study underscores the need for gender-neutral policies, awareness campaigns, and organizational support systems to foster safer workplaces for men, contributing to a more inclusive understanding of workplace harassment in India.