Workplace sexual harassment cases in 700 NSE-listed firms increased 29%, pending complaints rose 67%: Report

India's Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act hasn't helped much as harassment cases continue to pile up

Published on: Aug 24, 2024, 20:34:58 IST

By HT News Desk | Edited by Abhyjith K. Ashokan

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

43% of women experienced non-inclusive behaviours like harassment or microaggressions, and nearly half had concerns about their safety at work or safety while travelling to work, according to an Economic Times article which cited Deloitte’s 2024 Women @ Work report.

Total POSH complaints reported by 700 NSE-listed firms increased from 1,807 during the financial year 2022-23 to 2,325 in 2023-24 (Representational Image/Pixabay)

Also Read: OpenAI hires former Meta executive Irina Kofman to head strategic initiatives

How many harassment cases did Indian companies report recently?

This also comes at a time when total POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) complaints reported by 700 NSE-listed firms analysed by The Udaiti Foundation increased from 1,807 during the financial year 2022-23 to 2,325 in 2023-24, or a 29% increase.

Also Read: UK's Spectator magazine may get acquired by hedge fund billionaire Paul Marshall for over $131 million

The “total pending resolution of complaints” on the other hand, worryingly increased from 260 in 2022-23 to 435 in 2023-24, which is a 67% increase.

Which sectors recorded the most harassment faced by women?

The services sector had the highest number of POSH cases per 1,000 women. This was followed by the construction materials, metals, and mining sectors.

How are companies dealing with harassment faced by women?

The Udaiti Foundation's women in India Inc survey of over 200 HR leaders found that 59% of the companies had not set up an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for sexual harassment cases, which is mandated by the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act.

Also Read: Cognizant files lawsuit against Infosys alleging stolen trade secrets, Infosys denies allegations

ICCs are usually not set up until a complaint is actually filed, with many companies also failing to create any awareness about employees' rights, the article read.

“POSH policy is specifically safeguarding an employee against verbal, mental or physical abuse which are sexual," the report quoted Cynthia Gokhale, Director-Marketing, Corporate Communication & Service Assurance at ManpowerGroup, as saying. "It is definitely not enough but it is a redressal framework for justice which did not exist in the past.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Stay updated with the latest Business News, stock market updates, petrol and diesel prices, gold and silver rates, income tax updates and major developments from India and across the world.