Dear Sakshi,
The Act on Prevention of sexual harassment of women at workplace was passed in December 2013 and is applicable to all establishments, factories where women are working. It provides for redressal of sexual harassment in the company by formation of Internal complaints committee and a procedure for filing and dealing with complaints of this nature. It has given outline of what comprises "sexual harassment". It was passed further to replace the Vishakha guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court of India to guarantee a work environment to women which is free from sexual harassment and create a hostile free work atmosphere for women in accordance with fundamental right to carry on any business trade or profession.
According to the Act, it is mandatory for all organisations to have an Internal Complaints committee comprising of half women headed by a Woman and it can include a lawyer conversant with labour laws as its external member. The orientation programme on the Awareness training of the Act as also workshops have to be conducted in an ongoing manner to sensitise all the employees on the provisions of the Act.
The penal provisions of the Act are stringent. Annual report is required to be sent to the Authority. Quarterly meetings of the ICC are to be organised.