Madras High Court commends T.N. govt for implementing its orders to prevent women harassment at workplaces

The Madras High Court has commended the Tamil Nadu government for having implemented most of a series of directions issued by it since November 21, 2024, for preventing sexual harassment of women at workplaces and discouraging misogynistic attitudes amongst the employees.

Justice R.N. Manjula wrote: “The overall response and interest shown by the State Government in implementing the directions is no doubt commendable.” She also appreciated Additional Advocate General M. Ajmal Khan and other law officers for having shown keen interest on the issue.

After recording the submission of a central government senior panel counsel that the Centre was keenly watching the proactive steps taken by the Tamil Nadu government and that it was equally committed to taking similar actions, the judge said: “Such a commitment is no doubt the need of the hour.”

Listing out the directions that had been complied with by the State government so far, the judge said, the State had formulated a Standard Operating Procedure for effective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 shortly known as POSH Act.

She appreciated the State Commission for Women for having taken pains to prepare a draft which was of great assistance to the government in framing the SOP published through a Government Order issued by the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment department on June 19, 2025.

Justice Manjula also took note of 22,044 Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) having been formed so far in government establishments and 34,907 ICCs in private establishments. Of the total number of 56,951 ICCs, details regarding 41,103 ICCs had already been uploaded on the TN POSH portal in compliance of court orders.

The judge also found that a G.O. had already been issued, instructing all heads of departments to authorise designated officers to inspect workplaces for compliance with the POSH Act and find out whether the ICCs had been properly constituted and whether they were functional.

In compliance with yet another direction, the State government had reported to have included questions on gender sensitisation in the competitive examinations conducted by Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board, Medical Recruitment Board and Teacher Recruitment Board.

The court was further informed that a G.O. had been issued on April 22, 2025, for constituting ‘gender sensitivity audit squads’ to inspect workplaces, assess employee behaviour using customised tools and recommend action if the senstivity was found to be below the required level.