Harassment at workplace
ISLAMABAD
Federal ombudsperson against harassment Ms Fauzia Viqar has converted sentence of an accused from premature retirement into dismissal from service in women harassment at workplace case. As per media reports, Federal ombudsperson against harassment Ms Fauzia Viqar while rejecting appeal plea of government employee against departmental action has converted premature retirement into immediate dismissal from service. According to Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) 16 women employees of a government departments registered complaints of repeated harassment incidents.
The departmental inquiry declared the allegations correct and proposed the punishment of premature retirement of the involved officer. The competent authority implemented it.
According to FOSPAH it reviewed the complete record during the hearing of the appeal and upheld the results of the inquiry.
The appellant was given full opportunity for defence.
It was said in the decision the harassment is determined on the basis of its effects on the affected person instead of intent of the accused. The punishment of premature retirement was insufficient after repeated incidents. Therefore, punishment has been enhanced and converted from premature retirement to dismissal from service.
