According to a provision inthe Code on Wages,those convicted in sexual harassment of any form could run the risk of losing out on bonus dues from their employers.
The new Code is expected to become operational once the government notifies the rules.
The new code includes ‘conviction for sexual harassment’ as a ground for denying bonus payouts to employees.
As per the extant law, bonus dues are barred only in case of employees dismissed for fraud, violent conduct and theft or sabotage.
The prospect of losing one’s benefits may make employees more careful of their conduct, and they should be made aware of this provision.
This serves as an additional deterrentapart from the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) law of 2013.
The Law requires firms to form an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)to inquire into complaints.
The Committee is required to make recommendations to employers on the action required pursuant to its inquiry in such complaints.
If the ICC upholds a complaint, it could be construed as a conviction. ICC has the powers to decide if someone is guilty and report it further to the police, though not all sexual harassment cases translate into a police case.
