Co-working spaces take steps to handle sexual harassment

On the heels of the MeToo movement that exposed sexual harassment in the workplace and in the absence of uniform guidelines, companies offering co-working spaces are now taking steps to deal with the issue. Although some lawyers say that co-working companies aren’t responsible for handling sexual harassment in their premises — unless their own employees are involved — some of them are taking measures to deal with it. Awareness about sexual harassment laws is generally low, according to lawyers. Awfis, a co-working company with 55 centres across India, has roped in trainers to educate clients about the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act.