The court felt that such a mechanism was required because the number of working women has increased and they are occupying various posts in all sectors and contributing to the financial economy of a company.
"Internal inquiry committees, where women employees can complain about sexual harassment or any other type of harassment at workplace, should be set up expeditiously in all companies. The committees should also inspire confidence among women employees by being unbiased and ensure complete confidentiality," the Bombay High Court said on Tuesday.
A division bench of Justice V M Kanade and Justice Swapna Joshi with a view to safeguard the interest of women at workplace, said, "Apart from displaying the legal consequences of sexual harassment and organising workshops and awareness, it is necessary to provide safeguards to woman in relation to complaints made by her. An in-built internal mechanism should be there so that any instance of harassment towards women can be conveyed in a confidential manner by a senior officer."
The court felt that such a mechanism was required because the number of working women has increased and they are occupying various posts in all sectors and contributing to the financial economy of a company.
The bench made these suggestions while rejecting a petition filed by an employee of a public sector undertaking, seeking penal action against a former senior, alleging sexual harassment at workplace. She had approached the court as the committee set up by the company to asses her allegation, rejected her claim. The committee had only initiated disciplinary action against the employee saying that his behavior was 'unbecoming' of an employee and was transferred out of Mumbai and given a pay cut.
While the petitioner had also sought a harsher punishment, the court denied the same saying that the punishment did not seem inadequate. The bench also observed that it needn't interfere with the committee's decision.
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 "Sexual harassment")
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