Amid reports of sexual harassment complaints in the workplace filed by several women, a new rule has granted a special paid leave up to a period of 90 days for the female central government employees who have filed complaints of sexual harassment.
It was only recently that the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) passed an amendment in this respect. “Special leave up to a period of 90 days may be granted to an aggrieved woman government servant during the pendency of inquiry under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013,” the new rules stated adding that the leave that has been granted to complainant will not be deducted from her salary.
The paid leave will be applicable till the inquiry is completed and it can be availed only up to 90 days, Additionally, these leaves will be apart from the holidays that have been given by the central government.
However, the leave will be given only after the recommendation of the internal committee or the local committee, responsible for probing such allegations.
The DoPT has issued Central Civil Services (Leave) Amendment Rules, 2017 to allow this new rule.
The development comes against the backdrop of sexual harassment allegations against Arunabh Kumar, the founder of The Viral Fever. Several women and have come forward to claim that Kumar had made sexual advances towards them on many occasions. However, Kumar and tVF have denied allegations while terming them “fictitious”. Following which, TVF invited criticism from several quarters including the members of the film fraternity.
