A recent analysis of annual reports by ETHRWorld has revealed a significant increase in sexual harassment complaints at India Inc over the past five years.
The data shows a 79% rise in complaints from FY20 to FY24, highlighting the growing awareness and reporting of such incidents in the workplace.
India Inc Sexual Harassment Complaints: Rising Numbers
In FY20, India Inc registered 281 complaints of sexual harassment.
This number almost doubled to 503 complaints in FY24. Leading the chart in FY24 were ICICI Bank and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), with 133 and 110 complaints respectively.
However, it is important to note that not all complaints necessarily result in substantiated cases.
The increase in complaints aligns with broader industry trends of heightened awareness and sensitization towards workplace harassment.
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), mandates companies to disclose the number of complaints filed and resolved each year.
This transparency has contributed to a more open reporting culture.
Information technology (IT) bellwethers reported some of the highest numbers of complaints and pending cases.
TCS registered 110 complaints, with 17 still pending.
HCL Technologies followed with 87 complaints and 11 pending cases, while Infosys reported 64 complaints with 13 pending.
Banking giants also saw a significant rise in complaints, with ICICI Bank reporting 133 complaints, all of which were resolved.
Challenges and Recommendations
Despite the increase in reporting, challenges remain in addressing and resolving these complaints effectively.
The POSH Act requires companies to form Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) to handle complaints confidentially and fairly.
However, the rise in complaints indicates a need for stronger support systems and better implementation of preventive measures.
Companies are encouraged to foster a culture where employees feel safe to report incidents without fear of retaliation.
ICICI Bank, for instance, emphasized its strong culture of encouraging employees to report all incidents fearlessly.
This approach has led to a higher number of substantiated cases, with 59 complaints substantiated out of 133 reported in FY24.
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