Anand Mahindra has ‘zero-tolerance’ for sexual predators at workplace, warns employees against flouting POSH norms

Last year’s #MeToo movement had sent shockwaves through Bollywood. Corporate India, too, felt the aftermath with accusations of sexism, allegations of inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment, and subsequent resignations emerging. India Inc, concerned by such charges, tried to put in place stronger policies against sexual harassment across companies that would curb women from opting out of the workforce.

While some corporations claimed to be free of such cases, Anand Mahindra, on Tuesday, opened up about few 'distressing' new cases that emerged at Mahindra Rise.

In a Twitter post, the Mahindra Group Chairman expressed disappointment at the rising incidents of workplace sexual harassment cases. He mentioned that the company has a zero-tolerance policy against the accused individuals. He also issued a stern warning that such predators have no place to hide either. With this, he confirmed that no case, irrespective of the scale, can be concealed in the group.


"Despite a strong Prevention of Sexual Harassment policy, the fact that we’ve had a few cases recently is distressing. I say clearly that @MahindraRise has zero-tolerance for any form of sexual harassment.If you flout the policy, there’s no place for you here; and no place to hide."



In September last year, Tech Mahindra had sacked its Chief Diversity Officer over allegations of discrimination against a former employee's sexual orientation. Gourav Probir Pramanik, who identified himself as gay, had accused CDO Richa Gautam of harassment and discrimination towards himself and other employees belonging to minority groups. The company launched an investigation with immediate effect and terminated Gautam.

The #MeToo movement in India came to the fore when actress Tanushree Dutta had accused actor Nana Patekar of harassing her on the sets of the film 'Horn Ok Pleasssss' in 2008. In June this year, the Mumbai police gave a clean chit to Patekar as they could not find ample evidence to support Dutta's statements.