What constitutes sexual harassment ?

Sexual harassment as defined in the Sexual harassment of women at workplace (prevention, prohibition and redressal) Act, 2013 includes any one or more of the following ‘Unwelcome’ acts or behavior:

• physical contact and advances;
• a demand or request for sexual favors;
• making sexually colored remarks;
• showing pornography; or

any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.This would also include online harassment via internet, SMS and social network sites. Further, the following may also amount to sexual harassment:

• implied or explicit promise of preferential treatment;
• implied or explicit threat of detrimental treatment;
• implied or explicit threat about present or future employment status;
• interference with work or creating an intimidating or offensive or hostile work environment; or
• humiliating treatment likely to affect health or safety.