Zero Tolerance Sexual Harassment Policy at Workplace
Sexual Harassment is the typical unwelcomed behavior directing to unnecessary physical contact, sexual remarks, verbal comments, uncomfortable behavior with opposite sex in work place among colleagues, or between senior and juniors. Now-a-days company remains too strict towards this kind of unethical behavior.
Organization is committed towards ensuring employees to be treated fairly and equally in an environment free of intimidation and sexual harassment.
Organization encourages any employee who feels they have been harassed to contact any other employee / employer. Organization recognizes comments and behavior that do not offend one person or another. Management accepts individuals may react differently and expects this right to be generally respected.
Forms of sexual harassment
Sexual harassment can have different forms and may physical contact, verbal remarks, jokes, suggestions, and the show of hostile material or other conduct that makes a sexually tense or antagonistic workplace. Sexual harassment can occur between an employee and a co-worker, supervisor, manager, agent, consultant or contractor.
Sexual harassment is not just unlawful during working hours or at the workplace itself.
Any complaint or report of sexual harassment is treated promptly, seriously and sympathetically, with due regard to confidentiality. Managers and supervisors must act immediately on any reports of sexual harassment.
Appropriate disciplinary action is taken against anyone in the Organization who is found to have sexually harassed a co-worker. According to case outcomes can incorporate a conciliatory sentiment, advising, exchange, expulsion, downgrade or different types of disciplinary activity. Quick disciplinary move is likewise made against any individual who exploits or strikes back against a man who has grumbled of sexual harassment.
Organization has a legal responsibility to prevent sexual harassment.
Therefore, managers and supervisors have a responsibility to:
Model appropriate behavior themselves.
Standards of conduct are observed at all times. Treat all complaints seriously and take immediate action to investigate and resolve the matter.
Refer complaints to another manager if they do not feel they are the best person to deal with the case (e.g. if there is a conflict of interest or if the complaint is particularly complex or serious).
All employees have a responsibility to:
Comply with the organization’s sexual harassment policy.
Maintain complete confidentiality if they provide information during the investigation of a complaint (employees who spread gossip or rumors may expose themselves to defamation action)
1. Making a Complaint
If you believe you are being, or have been, harassed, follow the procedure below:
Inform the offender the behavior is offensive, unwelcome, and against factory policy and should stop (only if you feel comfortable enough to approach them directly).
Keep a record of the incident(s).
If the unwelcome behavior continues, contact your supervisor or manager for support.
If this is inappropriate, you feel uncomfortable, or the behavior still persists, contact your manager.
2. Receiving a Complaint
When a manager receives a complaint, he/she should follow the procedure below:
- Listen to the complainant seriously.
- Treat the complaint confidentially.
- Allow the complainant to bring another person to the interview if he/she chooses to.
- Ask the complainant for the full story, including what happened step by step.
- Take notes, using the complainant’s own words.
- Ask the complainant to check your notes to ensure your record of the conversation is accurate.
Explain and agree next action with the complainant If investigation is not requested:
- Act promptly.
- Pass your notes on to your manager.
- If investigation is requested, or is appropriate, follow the procedure outlined.
3. Investigating a Complaint
When a manager investigates a complaint, he/she should follow the procedure below:
- Interview all directly concerned, separately.
- Interview witnesses, separately.
- Keep records of interviews and investigation.
- Do not assume guilt.
- Interview the alleged harasser, separately and confidentially.
- Let the alleged harasser know exactly what he/she is being accused of.
- Give him/her a chance to respond to the accusation.
- Listen carefully and record details.
- Make it clear he/she does not have to answer any questions.
- Ensure confidentiality, minimize disclosure.
- Determine appropriate action based on investigation and evidence collected.
- Check to ensure the action meets the needs of the complainant and organization.
Outcomes as they affect the complainant should be discussed with the complainant to ensure that needs are met.
4. Potential Outcomes
If the complaint is found to be justified, the complainant may be entitled to any or all of the following:
The complainant may receive:
- Commitment the behavior will cease
- Private apology (verbal or written)
- Re-credit of any leave taken due to the harassment
- Payment of medical and counseling expenses
- Transfer, with no job disadvantage
- Other compensation
Read more - WHISTLEBLOWER ACT -DEFINITION PROTECTION AND RIGHTS
