Feeling Demoted and Ignored: Can I File a Harassment Case Against My Employer?

Case of Mental Harassment in an MNC

I am an IT professional with over 10 years of experience and was holding a Team Lead (TL) designation. With some recent changes in the organizational structure, they have now assigned a Software Developer designation to me without even consulting me. This is the same designation they have offered to a resource who was reporting to me as well. I have raised this issue with my manager and the HR team. They have mentioned that they would re-evaluate my designation. However, I am very certain that even if they intend to make some changes, it won't be satisfactory.

I just wanted to seek all your suggestions on whether I can take this case forward and file a harassment/discrimination case against my employer.

Regards,
Prashanth

There are a few things that you have mentioned explicitly. While analyzing the case, I need to unravel the unstated part.

Why the Team Leader Designation?

Firstly, after 10 years, why are you still a Team Leader (TL)? Does this designation align with the length of your total service?

Demotion Concerns

Secondly, when an employee is assigned a designation a level below, it is essentially a demotion. What is the cause of this? Do you have strained relations with your manager? Is your company running short of projects?

The last point arises from the second point. Is demotion a ploy to remove you? Any employee will take demotion to heart. In your case, it is not even a demotion, but your company has placed you at par with your direct report. Is this an attempt to frustrate you? What signal does your management want to send you? Have you become persona non grata?

Organizational Restructuring

Since this is an organizational restructuring exercise, has your company demoted a few others as well? What about promotions? Have they promoted anyone? What about removal? Have they retrenched the staff? Since you are not from HR, you may not know; however, HR is known to play mischief of this kind. Transfers to a strange department and unexpressed demotions are the usual tricks that HR is known to play. Out of huff, an employee resigns, and the organization does not need to "remove" or "terminate" any employee.

Filing a Harassment/Discrimination Case

You have raised a query about filing a harassment/discrimination case against your employer. However, filing a civil suit is a long haul. Talk to your HR. If they remain intractable, then you may approach the Labor Officer (LO) of your area. Explain your case. Let us see whether something positive emerges. The LO may not entertain your case, as some juniors report to you. Nevertheless, sometimes they entertain these cases as well. When you approach, tell them that your company has demoted you, though you have not committed any misconduct. "Demotion" is a punishment that is awarded if misconduct is proved. Here in your case, neither any domestic inquiry was conducted nor any show cause notice was given. In the guise of "organizational restructuring," they cannot demote you.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

The company is giving you a direct message. Going legal will not help you much. Talk to the HOD and find out what exactly is going on.

You could have been able to sense things are going in which direction. This kind of thing does not happen overnight normally. Introspect on professional performance and other areas where you may find the need for change/improvement and also a change of job.

Thank you for all your inputs and suggestions.

After discussing with my manager and local HR, I was able to regain my previous designation.

Regards,
Prashanth