Chandigarh: Three staff members allege mental harassment at PGIMER

Punjab: A recent case of mental harassment at workplace has been doing rounds at PGIMER Chandigarh, following complaints of three staff members to the administration.

The three staff members, includes two women posted at the biostatics department have alleged in their complaint that a senior doctor has been causing them mental harassment at the workplace. After having filed several complaints with the administration, they are now seeking a transfer to another department.

Under the thick of the things, a special committee has been constituted by the institute to further probe the matter. It is scheduled to meet on April 4.

As reported factually by HT, the first letter written by one of the complainant on December 17, 2015 reads, “I am very much upset by the working environment of the department of biostatics. The doctor whose name has been withheld always pressurizes me to lodge complaints against other people.”

The complainant he in addition implied on the matter that there has been a continuous pour of threat from the said doctor over dismissal of her services if she refuses to sign the letters. The same has led to a distressed situation for her as she was repeatedly forced to sign and file complaints.

Another woman doctors has alleged the doctor of same accusations, and had said in her complaint it has become very difficult to work under the doctor. She further comments that after she refused to sign a letter against some PGI official, he was not allowing her to work.

The third male staffer has in addition alleged that the doctor has been making personal comments on his family members, going to the extent to using abusive language.

As further reported by HT, after no action was taken by the authorities, two letters on February 6 and February 15 were marked to the head of department. On February 6, a letter was marked to the authorities, wherein the staff members alleged the doctor made video-recording of female staff members.

“The doctor is threatening all of us and saying that we all will end up losing our jobs, in case we don’t take our complaints back. He is also forcing us to give apology in writing. The doctor is also making video-recording of female staff members in his mobile, which is unethical,” mentions the letter.

A letter dated February 15 reads, “The situation of the department is getting worse. We were not allowed to sit and work in the department as the room was locked by the doctor concerned. He had also locked all computers by changing passwords.”