Seminar empowers future engineers to confront workplace harassment

By, Adibah Amir

On November 8, 2024, Master Saiful Hamiruzzaman Mohd Hazir from the Kuala Lumpur Crime Prevention Practitioners Association delivered a profound seminar to engineering students enrolled in the Engineering Ethics from an Islamic Perspective course, at the IIUM. The seminar, jointly organised by the Kulliyyah of Engineering and Integrative Engineering Education and Ethics for Sustainability Research Group, was with the aim of empowering future engineers with practical skills and ethical insights on handling workplace harassment. 

With a mixture of empathy and expertise, Master Saiful addressed the complexities of handling sexual harassment in the workplace, highlighting future engineers’ important role in setting ethical standards. “Setting an example isn’t just about protecting yourself, it’s about fostering a culture where everyone feels safe and respected,” he said, that as problem-solvers and leaders, engineers are uniquely positioned to advocate for integrity in the workplace, inspiring others to do the same.  

A certified criminologist with extensive experience supporting sexual assault survivors, Master Saiful highlighted engineers’ unique position as leaders who can champion workplace integrity. He introduced students to key legal protections, such as Section 355 of the Penal Code, which penalizes assault meant to dishonour, carrying up to two years of imprisonment. His discussion included a sobering statistic: suicide is now the leading cause of death among Malaysian youths, with sexual harassment identified as a contributing factor.

Master Saiful urged students to familiarise themselves with workplace rights, resources, and procedures. He stressed the alignment of professional respect with Islamic values like integrity, justice, and dignity, encouraging students to embed these principles as the foundation of their conduct. In sharing practical strategies, Master Saiful advised against screaming if harassed in public. Instead, he suggested looking directly at the perpetrator and calmly but firmly instructing them to stop and promptly report the incident to the nearest available authority; such as auxiliary police at LRT or MRT stations. This measured response, he explained, demonstrates an assertive yet respectful way to confront inappropriate behaviour without losing self-composure.

In the question and answer session, a student asked how to handle a dinner invitation from a superior, a scenario that could blur professional boundaries. Master Saiful suggested cautious acceptance of a first invitation, advising students to inform a trusted contact and family member, and once arrived, pin the location as safety measures, with the option to leave if boundaries were crossed. This approach, he noted, preserves professionalism while ensuring personal safety.

Addressing concerns about potential backlash from reporting harassment, Master Saiful reassured students that Malaysian law requires employers to maintain a safe work environment. Speaking up, he said, is not only a personal right but an act of solidarity with peers facing similar challenges.

As the seminar concluded, Master Saiful left students with a clear call to action: “Every report is a step toward a safer workplace.” He encouraged detailed documentation of harassment incidents—specific dates, times, and any supporting evidence—to ensure credibility in legal proceedings. By reporting misconduct, he stressed, students can play a critical role in creating a respectful, harassment-free workplace, helping to set a new standard of accountability and integrity.

A photo session with attendees.

(The writer is Dr. Adibah Amir, an academic in the Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, Kulliyyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia.)