J&K is witnessing alarming rise in workplace harassment against women employees in J&K Bank by branch heads and manager scale -II , creating a hostile environment in the banks located in Jammu. Since the workplace harassment in J&K banks against females employees is legally prohibited in India under the POSH Act 2013, but top management of J&K banks hardly bother on the complaints received from different quarters after 2019 when state is down degraded and divided into two union territories by Centre govt. As per rule J&K banks is also mandated to have Internal Committees (ICs) for redressal this issues, though issues like unfair targeting by branch heads and scale – II mangers and systemic misconduct still persist in J&K Bank. As per Reserve Bank of India and govt policy J&K bank must have policies and committees (ICs/RICs) with external members to ensure safe workplaces, but awareness and strict action remain non serious in the bank. According to POSH Act, 2013, it is obligatory for the top brass of J&K Bank to protect women’s fundamental rights, equality and dignity at work, making harassment a punishable offense. This is observed that the management of J&K Bank is not inform all employees about POSH policies and reporting mechanisms. Bank has not formed the Internal Committees (ICs) at head/zonal levels, led by women, with external members to handle complaints impartially. The bank has failed to inform its employer, tell the harasser their behaviour is unwelcome (if safe), or approach the bank’s IC/Complaints Committee. Clause 2.1 of Act casts a responsibility on J&K Bank to create an environment which is free from sexual harassment. Workplace harassment against female employees is legally prohibited in India under the POSH Act 2013, with banks mandated to have Internal Committees (ICs) for redressal, though issues like unfair targeting by Branch heads or manager- II and systemic misconduct persist, impacting mental health and dignity. Banks must have policies and committees (ICs/RICs) with external members to ensure safe workplaces, but awareness and strict action remain crucial. No branch head or Scale II manager of any Bank can not force female employees to work after the working hours, if so he/she is doing this with out approval of top management , he /she is doing this illegally and inviting punishment for them under POSH Act. However, as journalist , I find it very disheartening and disturbing why a leading bank in the Jammu and Kashmir is not showing any sympathy or kindness at all to a workplace harassment victim. If any female employee file complaint , she is threatened by top management to terminate her service. What is further distressing is that despite the charges against him/her, the officer concerned is believed to be still gainfully employed at the bank. A study rated workplace harassment as the biggest workplace threat for 35% of female employees in the J&K banks more than the 29% for working women. Harassment of women at workplace is an affront to their fundamental right to equality and a life with dignity, the Supreme Court has also held in a judgment. Harassment at the workplace is an affront to the fundamental rights of a woman to equality under Articles 14 and 15 and her right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution as well as her right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business. The verdict, authored by top court based on a complaint made by a senior officer of the Punjab and Sind Bank that she was transferred out as she had complained about workplace harassment in bank by to management. Both the Reserve Bank of India and Union Finance ministry have directed the banks to ensure effective implementation of the law to prevent harassment at workplace. RBI asked the banks to organise workshops and awareness programmes on the law in every zone. So, the relevant JK bank authorities and those in power must step forward and create healthy environment in the J&K bank branches.
