Safety from sexual harassment at work
In one line
Every employer must protect women from sexual harassment at the workplace.
What happened
A woman social worker in Rajasthan was sexually assaulted after she tried to stop a child marriage. Women’s groups filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to protect working women, as there was no law on workplace harassment.
What the court decided
- Sexual harassment at the workplace violates the rights to equality, to work and to live with dignity.
- The court laid down the “Vishaka Guidelines”: employers must prevent harassment and set up a complaints committee headed by a woman.
- These guidelines were binding until Parliament made a law.
What it means for you
- Parliament later passed the POSH Act, 2013, based on these guidelines.
- Every workplace with 10 or more employees must have an Internal Committee and a POSH policy.
- A complaint can be made to the committee; employers who ignore the law can be fined.
Source: Judgment of the Supreme Court of India in Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan, decided on 13 Aug 1997.
POSH Policy (Prevention of Sexual Harassment)Drafted & signed by an advocate · Within 24 hours
This summary is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Laws change; talk to an advocate before acting.
