How Can My Friend Protect His Reputation Against False Sexual Harassment Claims?

Hi Seniors, A close friend of mine has been accused of sexual harassment (SH), which he was never involved in. The background to this was a small dispute that arose between him and his colleague. His colleague tried to escalate this, but when this was not given any weightage, she immediately happened to turn this into SH. The day he got to know about this, he immediately spoke to the HR director and HR manager, and they have assured him that this will be resolved amicably. However, he just does not want to rely on the words of assurance but would like to take some proactive steps so that his image is not tarnished within or outside the organization, preferably a plan B if those people turn upside down. My friend, who happens to hold a respectable role in the organization with a crystal-clear image, has never been involved in any such activities and is pretty disturbed and anxious. Please suggest what he could do at this juncture.

Regards, Dib

Dear Dibyendu, Just yesterday, my friend told a similar story from one of the companies. Within 24 hours, I am reading this case. Filing a sexual harassment complaint is an infallible weapon in the hands of women. Let your friend talk to a lawyer. Have the lawyer send a notice to the MD asking for a thorough investigation of the case. If nothing comes out in the investigation, your friend may file a libel suit against the female employee.

Though delinquent women of these types are very rare, it is important to rein them in. Otherwise, men may lose faith in the social equilibrium, which is far more dangerous than sexual harassment itself.

Views of other senior members are also welcome.

Regards, Dinesh V Divekar

I am in agreement with Dinesh V Divekar's suggestion. Ask your friend [or is it YOU?] to consult a lawyer and send a legal notice to the MD.

There's also another reason apart from what Dinesh mentioned: if the lady escalated it the way she thought fit, let your friend escalate it further [here I am taking at face value what you mentioned about his unblemished track record]. The typical psychology of such people [like this lady]—irrespective of the gender—is to use THEIR escalation to browbeat the victim. The moment the victim responds in a totally INVERSE/UNPREDICTABLE WAY, they are lost.

But a word of caution to your friend—let his action be based on 'self-protection' rather than to 'get even/hit-back' when he escalates it the way Dinesh mentioned—it's easy to get into that trap unknowingly, since it's a very fine line that separates both. The 'mental outlook/intent' in both options is different, though the 'action' per se is essentially the same. If your friend doesn't keep this aspect in mind, there are very high chances to get into new & totally avoidable situations—sort of solving one problem & inviting new ones.

Though not really related to this issue, I wouldn't agree with this statement of Dinesh: '......delinquent women of these types are very rare......'. There are 'good' and 'bad' in both genders. I have seen quite a few such instances in corporate situations & we also get to read an almost identical attitude in many women in a different context: Anti-dowry cases [498A cases in legalese], so much so that the Govt seems to be planning to change the Act to ensure women don't misuse it. There are also reports that the Govt seems intent on making the SH Laws 'gender neutral'.

All the Best.

Regards,
TS