The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 which came into force on 9th December, 2013 makes it mandatory for employers not only to prevent and prohibit workplace sexual harassment, but also provide employees with an impartial grievance redressal mechanism.

While several organizations have been complying with the previous Vishaka guidelines, the 2013 Act is much more comprehensive and casts a responsibility on every employer to create an environment which is free from sexual harassment. An employer will be liable to cancellation of all business registrations and a fine of Rs 50,000 in case of violation of his duties under the Act. It is imperative that the employers sensitize the employees on the implications, create an effective policy against sexual harassment within the organization and make it a part of general employment policy and employment agreements, comply with the legal requirements for the implementation of the law.

NASSCOM, under the aegis of Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, had organized a series of sessions across in the past on Best Practices on the implementation of the act at the work place. This year we plan to organize multiple sessions across the nation.