The Public Services Commission of Malaysia (SPA) has recently issued a warning that using terms of endearment such as "sayang" or "dear" when addressing a colleague at work could be considered both harassment and a disciplinary offence for government departments and agencies.
This warning comes as part of a checklist of prohibited behaviours, which also includes "sexting" as a form of harassment. The SPA has outlined these guidelines under the section titled "Larangan-larangan serta perkara khusus" or "Prohibitions and Special Matters," specifically under Rule 4A on Sexual Harassment. Civil servants found guilty of these offences may face disciplinary action.
Victims must specify the form/extensiveness of sexual harassment – if they were touched, caressed, kissed or hugged, in their complaint to the disciplinary board.
The PSC has identified various forms of misconduct and depending on their severity, civil servants found guilty of such offences may face a range of punishments, including a warning, fine, emolument disqualification, suspension, demotion, or dismissal.
Additionally, extramarital affairs among civil servants will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action. Those who wish to make a formal complaint about workplace sexual harassment must provide detailed information about the incident, including the location, time, and date of the occurrence, as well as the place of duty where the offence took place.
CUEPACS, the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services, has expressed its support for these measures.
According to its secretary-general Abdul Rahman Mohd Nordin, the move may have been prompted by more frequent complaints and that there is no place for such behaviour or language.
“Regardless, only proper and polite words and behaviour should be used at the workplace.”
“We (Cuepacs) fully support this move,” he asserted when contacted. He added that such incidents also put victims in an uncomfortable position, possibly resulting in their work performance getting worse.
“To anyone who has been a victim, don’t be afraid of speaking up and making a report,” he then said.
Before making a joke about sexual harassment with your colleagues, think twice about the potential consequences.
It is crucial to take sexual harassment in the workplace seriously because it is illegal in many countries and violates the victim's rights, resulting in severe physical, emotional, and mental health consequences. Additionally, it creates a toxic work environment that can adversely affect employee productivity and morale.
Allowing sexual harassment to persist in the workplace can make employees feel uncomfortable and unsafe, leading to high levels of absenteeism and turnover. Addressing this issue is not only the ethical thing to do but is also necessary for establishing a secure and productive work environment for all.
In case you or anyone you are acquainted with is at risk of or has encountered sexual abuse or assault, kindly contact these Malaysian organizations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9.30am - 5.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp/Telegram: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: telenita@awam.org.my
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4180342
Email: wcc@wccpenang.org
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday (7pm - 9pm),Tuesday to Thursday (9.30am - 11.30am), Saturday (2pm - 4pm)
Contact: +6082-368853
SMS/WhatsApp: +6016-5822660 | +6013-8044285
Email: sarswws@gmail.com
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +6088-280200 | +6011-27908020
Email: sawo.women@yahoo.com
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (3pm - 12am)
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: protect@psthechildren.org.my
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media, The Star, SAYS & various cross-references for context.
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