RAWALPINDI, Pakistan:
The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) has issued a landmark ruling, holding the CEO of Yashal English House, Azhar Abbas, accountable for misusing CCTV cameras to intimidate an employee.
The case, filed by employee Saneem Afshain, revealed that the CEO had been engaging in excessive and targeted surveillance, including sending CCTV screenshots directly to her in a manner that created a hostile and humiliating work environment.
FOSPAH declared the act a clear case of workplace harassment, ordering Azhar Abbas to pay Rs50,000 in compensation to the complainant. In addition to the fine, the CEO has been directed to implement workplace reforms, including:
- Formation of an Inquiry Committee to monitor workplace practices.
- Prominent display of the Workplace Code of Conduct in both English and Urdu to ensure employees are aware of their rights and protections.
The ruling underscores the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and respecting employee privacy in workplaces across Pakistan. It also sets a precedent that technology and surveillance tools cannot be weaponised to harass or intimidate staff members.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.