Facing Discrimination, Harassment, and Unfair Treatment at Work: Seeking Urgent Advice for Immediate Exit

I've been employed at a college for over a year. From day one, I've experienced constant harassment from my Head of Department (HOD) due to my skin color and appearance. He manipulates me by nitpicking minor issues, increasing my workload, and creating misunderstandings between me and my colleagues. He shouts and insults me in front of others if I fail to answer his unexpected, intimidating questions.

My leave requests are constantly rejected, and I'm called for explanations via email while my colleagues' mistakes are overlooked. He threatens me with final warnings if I bring any queries to him regarding work. My colleagues support him for their own job security and use my name to gain benefits, such as the 'best teacher' award from the HOD. Despite being the first to complete all assigned tasks, I've received no appreciation or support from him.

My colleagues have stopped talking to me as they are busy pleasing the HOD and spreading rumors about me, damaging my reputation and mental health. The HOD has the backing of the management and has openly challenged me to complain to anyone I want, stating he is not afraid. He has insulted me to the point of shouting at me to "get out" of his office. I have voice recordings of all these conversations. I urgently need advice on how to email my grievances and secure an immediate exit without serving the notice period, if not going to court.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It's important to remember that you have rights and there are steps you can take to address this issue. Here's a course of action you might consider:

1. Document Everything: Continue to keep a record of all incidents, including dates, times, locations, and any witnesses. This will be crucial if you decide to take legal action.

2. Consult a Lawyer: Given the severity of your situation, it might be beneficial to consult with a lawyer. They can provide advice on your rights and potential legal recourse based on the labor laws in your country.

3. Write a Formal Complaint: Draft a formal complaint detailing all incidents of harassment and discrimination. Be specific and include as much detail as possible. Attach any evidence you have, such as the voice recordings.

4. Report to Higher Authority: Send your complaint to the highest authority within your organization, such as the Principal or the Board of Directors. If your HOD has the backing of the management, it's important to escalate the issue to someone above him.

5. Contact Labor Board: If your organization fails to address your complaint, you can contact your local labor board or equivalent authority. They can provide guidance and may be able to intervene.

6. Seek Mental Health Support: Dealing with workplace harassment can be mentally draining. Consider seeking support from a mental health professional to help you cope during this difficult time.

7. Plan Your Exit: Start looking for new job opportunities. Once you secure a new job, you can resign from your current position. If your situation is intolerable, you may consider resigning even before you find a new job, but be aware of the financial implications.

Remember, no one should have to endure discrimination and harassment at work. You have the right to a safe and respectful workplace.

If you are a woman (sex is not mentioned in the post nor the name is available to make it known to us) you can take it to the Internal Committee formed under the PoSH Act. If the HoD is the head of the institution not just the head of the department alone, you should take it to Local Committee in the District Collectorate. In such scenario IC will not have jurisdiction to redress the issue. But if the IC is not responding, you can take the matter to the District Officer (mostly the District Collector) and Police. You should not just ignore such harassments because negative comments on a woman employee on her colour, race, language etc are harassments coming under the scope of the Act because by such remarks will create "hostile work environment". It is true that the remarks by the HoD may not have explicit or implicit sexual nature but differential treatments like refusing leave without genuine reasons, not granting promotion or recognition or humiliating attitudes like shouting at the employee in front of others for silly matters will certainly affect her mental and physical health. Therefore, I would say that you should take it forward and fight for justice.

Dear ,

In Every Company their will be Internal Committees like ICC (Internal Complaints Committee _Posh) , Code of Conduct (Ethics Committee), Grievance handling committee Please raise your concern. and they will keep your name confidential according Posh act or other regulations. be strong Don't run from the problem. if you are facing any problem with any one ask first question your self why, then you can answer them politely and if they are not understanding, explain them with example and logics.so that it will clear the GAP. never ever don't run from problem face it .then you can able handle any kind of people.

To Control this kind of things we have some acts, do refer and be strong

1.The protection of civil rights act 1955
2. The Indian penal code 1860
3. the Equal remuneration act 1976
4.Sexuak harassment at workplace Act 2013

Dear Poster,
Your complain is that you are facing Discrimination, Harassment, and Unfair Treatment at Work.
What sort of Discrimination, Harassment, and Unfair Treatment done to at Work place keeps lot of meaning?
It is missing in your post, you better consult a lawyer to know the scope of case exist or not.
You can lodge an FIR, all the above allegations can be tagged.
If you're seeking to leave the job resign under notice is the best option.