Anti- Discriminatory Policy

A detailed overview of the policies that define and protect your experience with us

This Anti-Discrimination Policy ("Policy") outlines our commitment to preventing discrimination and safeguarding the rights of our employees, customers, and stakeholders from harmful or offensive conduct. In accordance with applicable anti-discrimination laws and regulations, this Policy aims to prevent and address discriminatory practices within the workplace, specifically those based on protected characteristics, including but not limited to race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or any other legally protected status.

This Policy is intended to uphold and reinforce our ongoing commitment to creating a workplace that is free from discrimination, harassment, and other harmful behaviors, thereby fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all individuals involved with our organization.

In support of this commitment, we will implement measures to actively monitor, prevent, and address any discriminatory conduct that may occur, ensuring compliance with all relevant labor laws and regulations. Our goal is to maintain an environment that promotes equality, dignity, and respect for all.

Policy Brief and Purpose

Our Company is fully committed to complying with all applicable anti-discrimination laws and regulations, including but not limited to the following:

  • The Constitution of India
  • The Bharatiya Nyaya Sahita of 2023
  • The Minimum Wages Act, 1948
  • The Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
  • The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019
  • Maternity Benefit Act, 1961  
  • The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and other relevant legal frameworks.

This Policy aims to ensure that the Company adheres to the legal standards set forth by these laws, thereby creating an environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and any form of injustice. By implementing this Policy, the Company reaffirms its dedication to protecting the rights of all employees, customers, and stakeholders, fostering a workplace that upholds equality, dignity, and respect for every individual.

Scope

This Policy applies to all individuals associated with the Company, including but not limited to employees, contractors, visitors, clients, and stakeholders. It encompasses all activities, interactions, and relationships within the workplace, as well as any work-related events or functions where individuals representing the Company are present. The Company is committed to ensuring that this Policy is upheld by all parties involved, creating an environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and any other form of harmful behavior.

Policy elements

Definition of Discrimination

Discrimination refers to any negative action, behavior, or attitude directed towards an individual based on their protected characteristics. These characteristics include, but are not limited to:

  • Age
  • Religion
  • Ethnicity/Nationality
  • Disability/Medical History
  • Marriage/Civil Partnership
  • Pregnancy/Maternity/Paternity
  • Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation

Any form of discrimination based on these or any other protected characteristics is strictly prohibited under this Policy, and the Company is committed to addressing and preventing such conduct in the workplace.

Discrimination and Harassment

Our anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies are closely aligned. The Company maintains a strict zero-tolerance approach towards any form of discrimination or harassment that creates a hostile, intimidating, or unpleasant environment for employees, interns, or volunteers.

While the following list is not exhaustive, the Company considers the following instances as discriminatory:

  • Hiring managers intentionally disqualifying male or female candidates without valid, documented reasons.
  • Managers bypassing employees with specific protected characteristics (e.g., race) for promotions, without providing formal proof or documentation of why other employees were selected instead.
  • Employees making sexist, racially offensive, or otherwise discriminatory comments.
  • Employees sending emails or making statements that disparage someone's ethnic origin.

Employees found to be engaging in discriminatory or harassing behavior will be subject to the Company’s disciplinary process. Consequences may include reprimand, demotion, or termination, depending on the severity of the offense.

We acknowledge that some forms of discrimination may be unintentional, often stemming from unconscious biases that are difficult to identify and overcome. In such cases, where we determine that an employee's discriminatory behavior was unintentional, the Company will offer support through training and counseling, and implement processes aimed at mitigating biases, as outlined in the next section. However, if the employee demonstrates a continued unwillingness to change their behavior, we reserve the right to demote or terminate their employment.

In cases of sexual harassment or workplace violence—whether physical or psychological—the Company will take immediate and firm action, including termination of employment for any employee engaging in such conduct. There will be no leniency in addressing these serious offenses.

Actions to Prevent Discrimination

To ensure that our conduct and processes remain fair, lawful, and aligned with our anti-discrimination principles, the Company implements the following actions:

  • We use inclusive language in job advertisements and include Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statements.
  • We establish formal, job-related criteria for hiring, promoting, and rewarding team members, ensuring these decisions are based solely on qualifications and performance.
  • Compensation and benefits are provided based on position, seniority, qualifications, and performance, not on any protected characteristic.
  • We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities to ensure equal opportunities in the workplace.
  • We require managers to maintain detailed records of their decisions related to the hiring, promotion, and evaluation of team members and job candidates.

Additionally, we will consider further measures to actively reduce discrimination, including but not limited to:

  • Implementing hiring processes that minimize bias, such as structured interviews and blind hiring programs.
  • Organizing training sessions focused on diversity, communication, and conflict management to enhance collaboration and understanding among employees from different backgrounds.

These actions are designed to ensure a fair, inclusive, and respectful environment for all individuals within the Company.

What to Do in Case of Discrimination

If you experience discriminatory behavior, or if you suspect that others are being discriminated against, it is important to take immediate action. Please report the incident to Human Resources (HR) or your manager as soon as possible. HR is responsible for receiving your complaint, conducting a thorough investigation, and determining appropriate disciplinary actions.

Punishment for Discriminatory Behavior

The consequences for discriminatory behavior depend on the severity of the offense. For example:

  • Inadvertently offending someone due to unconscious bias may result in a reprimand or training.
  • Willfully bypassing employees for promotion or other opportunities based on a protected characteristic (e.g., race, gender) will result in termination.

If you choose to file a complaint with an external regulatory body, please be assured that the Company is legally bound not to retaliate against you for doing so.

How We Address Discrimination Complaints

HR takes a proactive and thorough approach to addressing and investigating claims of discrimination. Specifically, HR:

  • Investigates similar claims involving the same individual or process to determine if discrimination is part of a broader, systemic issue.
  • Analyzes metrics and data that provide insights into potentially discriminatory behavior (e.g., the percentage of job candidates from a specific demographic that are disqualified by a hiring manager).
  • Reviews publicly available testimonies, including social media posts made by visitors, job candidates, or former employees, for any indications of discriminatory behavior.
  • Conducts discreet interviews with relevant parties to gather additional information and ensure a thorough investigation.

We are committed to conducting all investigations discreetly. The identity of individuals who make complaints will be kept confidential, and no information that could identify the complainant (e.g., department, role, or any other personal detail) will be disclosed to anyone.

Commitment to Prevention and Fairness

We all share the responsibility to prevent and address discrimination in the workplace. Be mindful of your implicit biases and speak up whenever you or your colleagues are subjected to discriminatory behavior. We encourage all employees to share ideas and suggestions on how we can ensure fairness and equality in our workplace. Your feedback is important to us and will be considered as we continuously strive to improve our environment.