Aditya Birla Capital Policy On Prevention of Sexual Harassment
Aditya Birla Capital Policy On Prevention of Sexual Harassment
Aditya Birla Capital Policy On Prevention of Sexual Harassment
CAPITAL
PROTECTING INVESTING FINANCING ADVISING
1. Preamble:-
Aditya Birla Capital Limited (hereinafter referred to as ABCL] is committed to providing work environment
that ensures every employee is treated with dignity and respect and afforded equitable treatment. We at ABCL
are also committed to promoting a work environment that is conducive to the professional growth of its
At ABCL we do not tolerate any form of sexual harassment and are committed to take all necessary steps to
ensure employees are not subjected to any form of harassment. We at ABCL are committed to giving
that its
every employee a just and fair hearing on issues that are raised on complaints of Sexual Harassment. ABCL will
take disciplinary action against any victimisation of the Complainant or the Respondent that may result from a
Complaint.
2. Applicability
2.1. The policy pertaining to Prevention and Redressal of Sexual Harassment (herein after referred to as
ABC POSH Policy) is applicable to all "employees “of ABCL and its subsidiaries. Employee includes
regular, temporary, ad hoc, daily wage employees and person who are working on voluntary basis i.e.
without remuneration. The term also includes contract workers, probationers and trainees.
2.2. The policy is in line with the provisions under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
(Prevention. Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (hereinafter referred to as POSH Act) and Sexual
Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Rules, 2013
(hereinafter referred to as POSH Rules] framed there under from time to time.
3.1. In this Policy document, the words and expressions listed below shall have the following meaning:-
3.1.1. AW- Aggrieved Women: Refers to any woman “employee" who has lodged compliant of sexual
harassment at workplace and need not be an employee ofABCL.
3.1.2. RP- Respondent Person: Refers to any ‘employee' (as defined in clause 3.1.4) against whom
the complaint has been lodged by AW.
3.1.3. Workplace- includes all offices and branches in India. Italso includes any place visited or arising
out of or during the course ofemployment/work including transportation provided by ABCL for
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Gujarat.
84], Senapati Bapat Marg, Elphinstone Road, Mumbai AUG [ll 3 +91 28762 45711
+91 22 4356 7000 I (F) >9l 22 4356 7i ll CIN, L67lZDGJZUU7PLC058890
ahcsecretarmltsuadilyabirldcapiirllcom l www.adityablrlacapitalcom
ADlTVA BIRLA CAPITAL LIMITED
POLIEV FUR PREVENTION AND REDRESSAL 0F SEXUAL HARASSMENT
[POSH]
3.1.4. Employee- The word ”employee" used herein is to be strictly interpreted in terms of and
provisions of the POSH Act. Thus for the purpose of this policy. “Employee" means a person on
the rolls of ABCL which also include
any person who are temporary or part time or honorary
employees, by whatever name called and would include persons engaged on a casual basis or for
project based assignments and / or persons who are engaged through any third»party service
providers. This broad definition of"Employee" used for the purpose ofthis policy cannot be used
to claim rights of an employee conferred
by any other law ofthe land.
3.2. Sexual Harassment- The definition of sexual harassment will be defined in section 2
as
(n) of POSH
Act as represented below
3.2.1.5. Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature
3.2.2. The following circumstances, along with other circumstances, if it occurs, or is present, in
relation to connected with any act or behavior of sexual harassment
or
(as defined and
enumerated in clause 3.2.1) will also amount to sexual harassment:
3.2.2.2. Implied or
explicit threat of detrimental treatment in her employment;
3.2.2.3. Implied or explicit threat about her present or future employment status;
or a consultant or
any other person that the employee is interacting with for work purposes. in
this case the employer and the person in
charge will take all steps necessary and reasonabie to
assist the affected person in terms of support and
preventive action.
3.3, Appropriate Authority: This would mean the following committees being constituted under
-
this
policy, who will work independently on all complaints referred under this policy.
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ADITYA BIRLA CAPITAL LIMITED
POLICV FUR PREVENTION AND REDRESSAL 0F SEXUAL HARASSMENT [PUSH]
(hereinafter referred to as
"ABC internal Committee "(ABC IC). The ABC [C is forum constituted
a
by the Chief Executive of
ABCL. The ABC [C would he headed by a Senior Women
Employee who is on the rolls of any of
the business units ofABC or its subsidiaries and would be
designated as the "Presiding Officer"
of the ABC lC. Besides the above, an external nominee, referred to as External Committee
Member [hereinafter referred ECM ) would be appointed as a member ofthe ABC IC, who
to as -
committees using the ABC [C guidelines would be constituted at the Business Unit (hereinafter
referred as “BU") level by the CEOs ofthe individual BU. The BU [C would be headed
by a senior
women employee who is on the rolls of the said BU and who would be
designated as the
"Presiding Officer" ofthe BU 1C.
3.3.4. The criteria for selection ofthe Presiding Officer ofABC [C or the BU [C will be as follows:-
3.3.4.1. The Presiding officer should be at-least at [B 5/6 or above. The members in BU [C can
be from ]B 8 and above The Presiding officer should be a female.
3.3.4.3. She should display high levels of engagement and organizational awareness.
3.3.4.5. She should be able to put forth her point ofview without getting intimidated.
3.3.5.2. The NGO / external body should have a high level ofcredibility and not to be one which
is funded by ABG/ ABC to avoid conflict ofinterest.
3.3.5.3. There should be no conflict ofinterest, whatsoever. with the selected ECM.
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ADITVA BIRLA CAPITAL LIMITED
PULICV FUR PREVENTION AND REURESSAL DF SEXUAL HARASSMENT [PUSH]
3.3.6.1. Every member of the ABC [C or the BU IC shall hold office for period not
a
exceeding
three years, from the date of their nomination.
33.62. After 3 years of functioning, 1/3rd 0f the members of the Committee will retire each
year to help maintain continuity and bring fresh and unbiased perspectives.
3.3.6.3. This is however not applicable to CHRO. Business Unit HR Head who are a part of the
Committee. The retirement rule also does not apply to the Officer (senior
Presiding
women
employee) ofABC lC or BU [C in case there is no successor.
3.3.7. The names of the ABC IC members will be circulated by the CHRO ABCL to all the employees
—
4.1. ABC [C will conduct an inquiry on any sexual harassment complaint raised by any AW of ABCL. If the
complaint is against an IC member, then the concerned IC member will not be part of the committee
conducting the inquiry.
5.2. The AW can also lodge a complaint to the Appropriate Authority in with all
writing supporting
documents ifany. The details of the address where the complaint can be send mail
through postal are
5.3. The complaint should be made by AW within a period of three months from the date ofoccurrence of
the incident and in case ofa series of incidents, within a period of three months from the date of the
last incident.
5.3.1. The ABC [C may, for the reasons to be recorded in writing. extend the time limit for
making a
complaint by three months, if they are satisfied that the circumstances were such which
prevented the AW from filing a complaint within the said period. The decision ofthe ABC IC will
be final and binding in such cases.
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ADITYA BIRLA CAPITAL LIMITED
POLICY FOR PREVENTION AND REDRESSAL 0F SEXUAL HARASSMENT [PUSH]
6,3. Under no circumstances, the committee would reveal / disclose the identity of the "AW" and "RP" to
anyone else (including the immediate manager) -
6.4. Post establishing a priina facie case, the ABC IC will seek explanation in writing from RP after
providing him the copy 0fthe complaint.
6.5. Suitable action could also be recommended against employees who abetted the misconduct
knowingly. Suitable action would be initiated against employees who were "in the know", but did not
highlight the same.
6.6. Post receipt of the reply from RP, the ABC IC may, before
initiating an inquiry and at the request of
the AW take steps to settle matter between the AW and the RP, through conciliation [done
internally
between the AW and RP), provided that no monetary settlement shall be made as a basis of
conciliation. Should the conciliation as step is notagreed by the AW, then the ABC lC will initiate the
inquiry proceedings.
6.7. If the conciliation fails, or if AW or RP insist for inquiry, then the ABC lC will initiate the inquiry
proceedings.
6.8. On the conclusion ofthe inquiry if the RP is found the ABC [C will recommend the quantum
guilty,
ofpunishnient to be given
6.8.1. The quantum of punishment as the case maybe can be either a warning, written apology,
reprimand or withholding of promotion, withholding of pay rise or increments,
censure,
termination or undergoing a counselling session or carrying out
community service, which will
get decided by the ABC lC basis the following:-
6.9, The ABC lC will submit its report and recommendations post
completion ofthe inquiry to the CHRO
/ Unit HR-Head as the case may be. The decision of ABC lC along with observations /
recommendations will be final and binding. The CHRO/ Unit HR~Head will need to implement the
recommendations within 60 days of receiving the report from the ABC lC. While implementing the
order, the management will ensure that the name ofthe AW, RP and any other employee/s are kept
confidential at all times. Suitable action to be recommended ABC IC for any violation of
by
confidentiality as mentioned above.
6.10. The CHRO/ Unit HR-Head will send a closure report to the ABC [C after the recommendations have
been implemented, Format for the same is as per Annexure 4.
6.11. The ABC Presiding officer with the help ofABC Talent Head will send a quarterly update, comprising
the status of the complaints received to the OE team at the group level. The template for the
quarterly updates is given in Annexure 3. The names of the AW or RP has to be kept confidential at
all times.
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ADITYA BlRLA CAPITAL LIMITED
POLICY FOR PREVENTION AND REDRESSAL 0F SEXUAL HARASSMENT [PUSH]
Appeal
7.1. in the event that AW / RP is aggrieved with the recommendations made by the ABC IC, the AW/ RP
may appeal, as specified in the Rule 11 ofthe POSH Rules.
8.3. However, if the terms arrived during conciliation has not been with the RP, the ABC lC
complied by
shall proceed to make an inquiry into the complaint.
8.4. The copies of the settlement recorded during conciliation shall be to both the
as
provided parties.
Miscellaneous Guidelines
9.1. In case of a situation, where the AW is reporting to the RP then, till the final decision is taken, the
ABC IC will direct the Unit HR Head to ensure that the RP has no say in the performance
appraisal
rating of the AW.
9.1.1. The rating in such a case shall be done by the 2nd level supervisor ofthe RP in consultation with
the concerned Unit HR Head.
9.2. Where the AW is unable to make a complaint on account of her death or otherwise, her legal heir may
make a complaint to ABC lC.
9.3. The ABC lC shall have the right to terminate the inquiry proceedings or to give an ex-parte decision
on the
complaint, if the AW or RP fails (as the case may be) to be present for three [3) consecutive
hearings without giving a sufficient cause.
9.3.1. The ABC [C before passing such decision has to notice in of fifteen
a
give a
writing (15) days in
advance to the concerned parties (RP or AW).
9.4.3. Grant any other relief to AW, which the ABC [C may feel
necessary.
9.6. Merely an
inability on part of the AW to substantiate a complaint or provide adequate proof need not
attract action against the AW.
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ADITYA BIRLA CAPITAL LIMITED
POLICY FOR PREVENTION AND REDRESSAL 0F SEXUAL HARASSMENT [PUSH]
9.7. No party shall be allowed to bring in any legal practioner to represent them in their case at any stage of
theproceedings before the ABC lC.
9.8. If the ABC IC arrives at the conclusion that during the inquiry, any witness/es has given false evidence
or produced anyforged or misleading documents, it may recommend to the CH RO/ Unit HR Head to take
suitable action against the witness/es.
9.9. AW or RP or the ABC IC is not allowed to disclose any information relating to conciliation and
inquiry
proceedings, recommendations of the ABC IC and/ or the action taken by the employer shall not be
published or communicated or made known to the public. press and media in any manner. Suitable
action will be initiated against AW or RP should there be such a Violation.
9.10. Records and documean on proceedings of ABC [C will be stored for a minimum of five years from the
date of commencement of the complaint, irrespective of the fact, whether the AW/Rl’ are in the job or
have moved on from the organization.
10. Process and Guidelines for Cases where the RP is not on rolls ofABCL.
101. With regard to disciplinary actions against an RP who is not on rolls ofABCL but is on the rolls ofa
business partner or a client or a vendor or a consultant and has been accused by AW and
subsequently found guilty, the ABC lC would direct the CHRO / Unit Head HR to officially instruct
the concerned business partner or client or vendor or the consultant or the organization /
institution to which RP belongs [as the case maybe) to implement the recommendations ofABC IC.
In case ofnon-implementation of recommendations ofABC [C as mentioned above, then ABC [C will
direct the CHRO / Unit Head HR to initiate action against the RP under the Indian Penal Code or any
other law at the time being in force.
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ADITVA BIRLA CAPITAL LIMITED
PDLICV FUR PREVENTION AND REDRESSAL 0F SEXUAL HARASSMENT [PUSH]
Annexure -
l
Mailing Address:
Aditya Birla Capital Limited, One Indiabulls Centre, Tower 1, 18‘“ Floor, Jupiter —
Mill Compound,
Senapati Bapat Marg, Elphinstone Road, Mumbai 400 013 -
The Presiding Officer ofABC lC will also have oversight of the BU lC's for
an
efficacy and training purposes.
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ADITYA BIRLA CAPITAL LIMITED
POLICY FOR PREVENTION AND REDRESSAL 0F SEXUAL HARASSMENT [PUSH]
Annexure —
2
Procedure to be followed post filing of complaint with timelines
Timelines
90
complete inquiry in
the Aw
either of the cases:-
4
(i) Should the conciliation as step is not
(b)
agreed by the AW.
[ii] lfthe conciliation fails, or ifAW or RP
insist for inquiry.
lC to submit
inquiry report with findings Within 10 days of Day 100
and recommendations to the completion of inquiry
management for implementation
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ADITVA BIRLA CAPITAL LIMITED
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Case No
Name ofthe AW
Business
Unit
Name of RP
[Please state the name of the employee,
designation, name of unit / business and email
id]
Date of receiving the complaint
Signature ofCHRO
Values/Code of
Sexual
Instances Conduct Total
Hm assment
.
Violation
No. of the cases received in the
1
Quarter (Jan—Mar 2019)
No. Of cases carried forward
2 from the Quarter [Oct‘ Dec,
2018) which were not closed
Total No. OfOpen Cases for the
3
quarter (Oct- Dec. 2018)
No. ofcases for the quarter (Ian
4 -
March, 2019)
No. Of cases carried forward
5 from the Quarter (Oct Dec —
March 2019)
Totalcases not closed at the
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