Workplace Harassment in Pakistan: Implications for Workers across the Gender

Abstract

Workplace harassment has been significantly debated across the academic and non-academic circles. However, limited empirical evidences are available on how workplace harassment has different psychological implications for employees across the genders. This study is an attempt to investigate how women and men are psychologically affected differently by facing workplace harassment. Empiricist epistemology guided the methodological application of the study. Data for this study come through structured questionnaire mainly asking the participants about their experiences with the workplace harassment. Using a systematic random sampling method, data were collected from 120 employees (women and men) who were working in different industries. Participant’s experiences with verbal, physical, and psychological forms of harassment were assessed and its impact on the mental health of women and men was examined. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings of the study revealed the prevalence of workplace harassment with different psychological impacts, such as anxiety, stress, and depression among women and men employees. This study suggests gender-equal anti-harassment legislation that can have identical applications for the employee’s (women and men) well-being.