Policy

The Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) gives equal employment opportunity regardless of gender and is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of discrimination and conduct that can be considered harassing, coercive, including sexual harassment. TIES believes that all employees have the right to be treated with dignity. Any actions, words, jokes, or comments based on a person's sex, race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic will not be tolerated. Employees who engage in such conduct will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Scope

This policy applies to every employee across the organization, including regular, temporary, daily wage workers, contractors, volunteers, co-workers, probationers, trainees, apprentices, or anyone otherwise employed. Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to:

• Unwelcome sexual advances
• Requests for sexual favors
• Granting or denying job benefits based on receptivity to sexual advances
• Other verbal or physical conduct of a sexually harassing nature creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment

Complaint Redressal Committee

A dedicated committee has been constituted by the Board of Directors to consider and address complaints of sexual harassment. Members of the committee are:

• Dr. Sheela Kurian (Senior Consultant Physician, Mar Sleeva Medicity, Pala)
• Dr. A.P. Thomas (Director, ACESSD, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam)
• Dr. Bindhu B K (Retd. HoD, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Pampady)

Redressal Process

• Complaints can be reported to the Director or Secretary of TIES.
• An administrative investigation will be conducted with interviews of all relevant parties.
• If unresolved, the Complaint Committee will undertake a formal enquiry within 5–7 days of receiving the complaint.
• The accused will be given an opportunity to respond, and the committee will conduct an enquiry.
• The committee’s findings and recommendations will be shared with concerned parties within 10 days of completion.
• Corrective actions may include formal apology, counselling, warning, change of work assignment, suspension, or termination of the perpetrator’s employment if found guilty.
• False complaints may result in disciplinary action against the complainant.

Confidentiality

All inquiries, complaints, and investigations are treated confidentially and shared only on a need-to-know basis. The identity of the complainant may be revealed to the accused and witnesses during the investigation process, and all parties are expected to maintain confidentiality.