Synopsis
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has ordered an investigation into serious allegations of sexual harassment, coercion, and religious conversion pressure at a TCS Nashik office. Eight employees filed police complaints, leading to seven arrests, including the HR manager. TCS has suspended the employees under investigation and is cooperating with authorities."The complaints and allegations emerging from the Nashik branch of Tata Consultancy Services have been gravely concerning and anguishing," Chandrasekaran said in a statement.
He also announced that a thorough investigation is underway under TCS' chief operating officer Arathi Subramanian to establish the facts and identify individuals responsible for the situation.
"This incident is being treated with utmost seriousness. Action has already been initiated against the accused employees, and the company is extending its full cooperation to the ongoing investigations," Chandrasekaran, who was leading TCS as its chief executive and managing director before his appointment as the group chairman, said.
Allegations came to light at a TCS office in Nashik involving sexual harassment, coercion, and alleged religious conversion pressure.
Eight employees filed police complaints last week claiming that senior colleagues mentally and sexually harassed them, and the human resources department turned a deaf ear to their complaints. The police have since arrested seven people, including the company's female HR manager.
The employees being investigated have been suspended pending enquiry, the company's spokesperson said, adding that the firm is cooperating with local law enforcement authorities and any further action will be based on the conclusion of this investigation.
IT sector employees' body NITES on Monday approached the Ministry of Labour and Employment seeking a detailed audit of POSH compliance in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and batted for a wider state-level audit across tech and ITES companies, especially large multinational organisations in Maharashtra.
(With inputs from PTI)
