TCS harassment case may trigger tighter client, board scrutiny of IT firms

Allegations of harassment at Tata Consultancy Services’ Nashik unit could trigger tighter scrutiny of Indian IT companies by global clients, boards and shareholders, forcing companies to overhaul workplace complaint-handling systems and tighten Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) compliance.

The fallout could give boards greater visibility into harassment cases and lead to stronger oversight at smaller campuses of IT firms, industry experts said.

“This incident is an eye opener and could be a turning point of how the IT industry takes PoSH cases going forward,” said Pareekh Jain, CEO of online information platform EIIRTrend.