A Comparative Study to Analyse the Effectiveness of Sexual Harassment Policies of IT and Non IT Companies

Abstract

The Current study aims at analysing the effectiveness of sexual harassment policies of IT and Non IT companies in India. The researcher has also made a comparison between IT and Non IT companies on the basis of the effectiveness of their sexual harassment policies. The study is based on both secondary and primary data. Secondary data was collected to study the sexual harassment policies of the companies, and primary data has been used to record the opinions of the employees towards the sexual harassment policies of their organization. The sample size of the study is 200. It was found from the study that there are mainly four factors that could be used to measure the effectiveness of the sexual harassment policies namely content, timing, actions and complaints. It was also found from the study that the sexual harassment policies of IT companies are far better than Non IT companies. Researchers have also suggested a few measures to improve the sexual harassment policies of the companies on the basis of existing sexual harassment policies of the surveyed companies and literature review.The Sexual Harassment Act has been enacted with the objective of providing women protection against sexual harassment at the workplace and for the prevention and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is considered as a violation of the fundamental right of a woman to equality as guaranteed under Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India ("Constitution") and her right to life and to live with dignity as per Article 21 of the Constitution. It has also been considered as a violation of a right to practice or to carry out any occupation, trade or business under Article 19(1) (g) of the Constitution, which includes a right to a safe environment free from harassment.India finally enacted its law on prevention of sexual harassment against female employees at workplace. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 ("Sexual Harassment Act") has been made effective on April 23, 2013 by way of publication in the Gazette of India.