Is This Harasment?

Dear Friends,
My friend is working in leading marathi media house`s print wing as a sub editor. Her new editor shifted her to main desk, which is men dominated. Now she works till 11 pm. Company doesn't provide any security or even drop facility to her. She knows she is being harassed by boss but cant do anything as she has fear to lose job. Anybody guide?

Dear Siddharth,

How to use the available manpower optimally or judiciously is the call of the functional head and that is what he has done. Therefore, it need not be construed as "harassment' as such. By making this kind of interpretations, we could be jumping the gun. Providing transport facility to the women employees is the job of HR Manager. Therefore, tell your friend to put formal application to the HR Manager of her organisation. If HR Manager refuses to do so or express his helplessness, then how to handle the situation that we will discuss later.

Caveat: - A person working as journalist supposed to write for oneself in the public forums and not through friends. She could have could made her post anonymous.

Note for HR Professionals: - When a woman employee is made to work till 11 PM then why HR Manager was not proactive in thinking about her safety and security? Woman employee's friend approaches the HR Forum to seek advice speaks volume. The issue becomes more prominent when this lapse on HR happens in "leading marathi media house`s print wing". HR jargon like employee engagement is not just for discussion in seminars or writing blogs on it, but for the implementing in practices.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar