Facing Workplace Bullying: How Can My Friend Confront and Legally Address It?

Dear Sir/Madam, this is Saimurugan. I'm writing this on behalf of my friend, who is working in a reputed IT firm in Maharashtra. She is my college junior. I have filed a divorce case against my wife on the grounds of cruelty, which is pending in the Hon'ble court, and she is not living with me. My wife and a relative are working in the same IT company, both in lead positions. Knowing that we are friends, they are bullying her at the workplace and, by threatening her job, have withheld her original certificates as well. They are harassing my friend officially to the greatest extent possible for their personal needs.

Feasible ways to confront workplace bullying

1) What are the feasible ways to confront these issues?

Possibility of legal action

2) Is there any possibility to take legal action against my relative and wife?

Kindly share your valuable suggestions.

Dear Saimurugan, what is happening with you is quite unfortunate. Nevertheless, is it that your wife and her relatives, who also work in your company, are getting agitated because of your closeness with a female friend? If you wish for your friend to complain officially about workplace bullying, then you must have sufficient material evidence. First and foremost, we need to be sure whether it was bullying at all. Material evidence will bring out the truth. Therefore, tell your friend to generate evidence by recording the conversation or through call recording. However, it has to be done surreptitiously, and the audio files must be backed up immediately. Is it possible to change your friend's department? Consider this option as well.

Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar

Any woman aggrieved of workplace "bullying," unwelcome, or humiliating treatment has the option to report to her superiors, management, or employer for redressal of her grief or grievance. Be aware that reporting or filing a false complaint may result in disciplinary action against her for false complaints.

Kritarth Team
7.12.2019