The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 is a law enacted by the Indian government to protect women from sexual harassment in the workplace.

 Here are some key provisions of the Act:

Definition of Sexual Harassment: The Act defines sexual harassment as any unwelcome act or behavior, including physical contact or advances, demand or request for sexual favors, making sexually colored remarks, or any other conduct of sexual nature.

Applicability: The Act applies to all women, whether working in the organized or unorganized sectors, and includes temporary or contractual workers, domestic workers, and women employed in the public or private sector.

Obligation on Employers: Every employer is required to set up an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to receive complaints of sexual harassment from women employees. The ICC should be headed by a woman and should also include a third-party member from a non-governmental organization (NGO).

Complaints and Redressal: Women can file a complaint of sexual harassment at the workplace within three months of the incident. The ICC is required to complete the inquiry and submit a report within 90 days. The report should be submitted to the employer, and the aggrieved woman should receive a copy of it. If the ICC finds the accused guilty, the employer must take action against the accused as per the service rules.

Punishment: The Act provides for punishment ranging from a fine to imprisonment depending on the severity of the offense. The punishment for making false or malicious complaints is also specified.

Protection against Retaliation: The Act prohibits retaliation against women who file complaints of sexual harassment. Any attempt to intimidate or coerce the woman to withdraw her complaint is a punishable offense.

Sensitization and Awareness: The Act requires employers to conduct sensitization and awareness programs for employees on the prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace.

Overall, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act aims to create a safe and conducive environment for women in the workplace and to protect them from sexual harassment.

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