A 29-year-old male employee at a reputed firm in Mumbai’s Goregaon has accused his female boss of persistent physical harassment, including inappropriate touching and suggestive behaviour, as revealed in a viral Reddit post from late November 2025.
The employee, who joined the company six months ago, says the harassment escalated over time and he feels trapped by fears of retaliation and lack of support for internal transfers.
The post has ignited debates on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act and the issue of male victims in workplace harassment. Online commentators have urged him to file complaints, though awareness and protections remain uneven, and the company or authorities have not made any official statements yet.
The Employee’s Experience: An Emerging Voice
The man’s detailed Reddit post reveals subtle beginnings of unwanted behaviour by his female boss which gradually became more frequent and blatant. He described instances where his boss would randomly touch his arms, thighs, and behind during work interactions, particularly file reviews.
Additionally, she reportedly sat too close to him, giving off suggestive vibes and then laughed it off as a joke or playful behaviour. Despite being married with children, the boss’s actions made the employee uncomfortable but uncertain whether he was overreacting at first.
When he confided in colleagues about switching departments to escape the situation, they warned him that bosses often make life difficult in such cases effectively discouraging internal complaints. He voiced his distress and hesitation about lodging a formal complaint, wondering if it would deteriorate his work environment further.
The post quickly gained attention as many male workers resonated with the experience of feeling vulnerable and ignored. Some online users shared resources like helpline numbers (e.g., Milaap 9990588768) and advised collecting evidence, such as discreet recordings, to bolster complaints.
Others cautioned him to proceed carefully to avoid retaliation or misunderstandings. The narrative struck a chord because workplace harassment is widely perceived through a gendered lens where women are victims and men perpetrators, overlooking the possibility of men facing harassment especially from female supervisors.
Legal Context and Challenges for Male Victims
India’s POSH Act (Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013) was primarily framed to protect women workers from sexual harassment. While this law marked a significant step forward for women’s workplace safety, it has created ambiguity regarding male victims of harassment. Many companies enforce gender-neutral anti-harassment policies, but the strength, awareness, and enforcement vary widely.
The Reddit case has sparked conversations about this legal gap that male employees often experience harassment but lack clear, consistent protection or confidence in reporting mechanisms. There is also social stigma and disbelief that men can be harassed, which discourages many from coming forward.
Experts and legal observers note that harassment is fundamentally about abuse of power and unwanted behaviour, regardless of the gender identities of the offender and victim. They urge workplaces to implement comprehensive, gender-inclusive policies and training so all victims feel safe and supported.
The Reddit post did not report any official complaint being filed, and as of early December 2025, no formal investigation or statements have been provided by the employer or regulatory agencies.
However, the online discourse has shed light on the need for revisiting and broadening harassment laws and organisational policies to address the nuanced realities employees face.
Societal and Workplace Dynamics: Beyond the Binary
This incident also highlights how workplace harassment cases are framed in public discourse. Frequently, male victims feel isolated as their experiences challenge prevailing narratives and stereotypes about gender and vulnerability.
The Reddit poster’s mention that female employees have filed complaints against men even for minor remarks or compliments reflects a social climate where accusations can be perceived as overreaching or ‘sexist’ behaviour.
Yet failing to acknowledge harassment of men or glossing over such incidents marginalises half the workforce. Research and advocacy stress that harassment is about unequal power dynamics and loss of agency rather than personal attraction or flirtation. The reactions to this case underline how important it is to foster environments where employees of all genders can report without fear of dismissal, mockery, or retaliation.
Organisations must develop clear, fair, and empathetic channels to address every employee’s grievance. Training sessions must dismantle myths about harassment being purely a male-on-female phenomenon and encourage respect and professionalism across all relationships. The evolving conversations around this case suggest that many employees and observers hunger for more nuanced and inclusive definitions and protections.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Workplace harassment is a menace irrespective of gender, and silencing any victim deepens injustice and diminishes human dignity. The Logical Indian stands for empathy, equality, and justice for all workers. We believe that protection against harassment must be inclusive, addressing male and female victims with equal seriousness.
Our commitment is to foster dialogue, raise awareness, and highlight the need for holistic reform in workplace policies and laws to reflect the diversity of victim experiences.Fairness demands that workplace safety is a non-negotiable right for everyone. Organisations should prioritise transparent, accessible complaint mechanisms where victims can safely report misconduct and receive unbiased support.
Training and awareness efforts need urgently to break down stereotypes and encourage respectful conduct across all gender dynamics. This case should urge policymakers, employers, and society alike to rethink entrenched views and to build cultures of kindness and accountability in workplaces.
