Seeking Justice: Are There Legal Protections Against Office Bullying in India?

I would like to know if there are any laws in India that prevent bullying and intimidation in the office?

For example, my friend from Mumbai (male) was bullied verbally by a clique in his office, which consisted of juniors as well as a senior. They all ganged up and made sexually inappropriate remarks about him. He was constantly tormented by females with snide, dirty remarks. He was forced to resign from the company (proprietorship) because of this harassment. It has mentally affected him.

Legal Recourse for Workplace Bullying in India

What can be done about this? Is there any way to legally get justice?

Hi, I am a software engineer in a small IT firm. From the beginning, I have been hardworking and efficient. However, nowadays my seniors keep me overloaded and under pressure, while other engineers with the same salary have more free time. Even when I am on leave or facing an emergency and unable to come to the office, my seniors call me about any issues that arise, instead of consulting other available employees. They also involve me in projects led by other employees, leaving them with less work. I am starting to feel frustrated when I see other employees not pulling their weight or tasks being assigned to me that others could handle.

Possible Discrimination at Work

I believe this treatment may be due to the fact that I am not Bengali, unlike all of my colleagues who are Bengali. My manager never reprimands my Bengali colleagues; instead, he directs his criticism towards me even when others are at fault.

Seeking Legal Advice and Next Steps

Is there any legal action I can take, or could you please suggest what steps I should take? I have already begun searching for a new job and am considering resigning from this company.

Regards.

Handling Workplace Harassment

This kind of ganging up on linguistic or state basis is quite common in many places. You have taken the right step of looking around for alternatives. Remain cool and calm in the face of provocations and also document most of the happenings. Emails and written communications on events would build up a paper trail in case of any serious issues where they try to fix you.

As I keep saying, there is a remedy in the law, but the judicial system is too slow and costly. A remedy on paper is no remedy at all.

When you are on leave, are you expected to keep the mobile on, have an alternate private number, and keep the office mobile literally switched off? While regional feelings can be a cause of such treatment, do self-analysis and critically check whether something is wrong on your side also. But above all, remain cool and collected as earlier written and document happenings. Don't lose your confidence.

Dear abcd.1234,

Approach the HR department or simply search for a new job in your case, indicating that they want you to leave the company; that is why they are overloading you. You are getting frustrated by what they want. They want you to react so that they can ask you to resign or establish grounds to terminate you. Have patience, search for a new job while handling your current job intelligently.