13 hrs ago
Delhi High Court Bars Maternity-Based Demotion at Work
Rakhi Bisht worked as an accounting manager at HashiCorp.
She took maternity leave and returned to work in July 2024.
When she came back, the company gave her duties usually handled by a much more junior employee.
Bisht said this role did not match her experience or qualifications.
She resigned and asked the Delhi High Court for help.
The court said having a baby or taking maternity leave cannot be used to lower someone’s position at work.
It said employees should normally return to their old jobs or receive an equivalent role.
HashiCorp was ordered to pay Bisht compensation and legal costs.
The company was also told to create rules protecting employees during pregnancy and after maternity leave.
The Delhi High Court awarded Rakhi Bisht Rs 10 lakh after she returned from maternity leave to a substantially lower-level role at HashiCorp.
Bisht had worked as an accounting manager before being reassigned to clerical treasury duties following her return in July 2024.
Justice Sachin Datta said pregnancy and maternity cannot justify demotion, loss of status, professional disadvantage or blocked career progression.
The court said returning employees should generally regain their previous post or receive an equivalent role in pay, grade, status and advancement prospects.
HashiCorp was ordered to pay Rs 1.5 lakh in legal costs and create rules covering workplace accommodation, reintegration, lactation support, crèches and grievance handling.
- Who
- Rakhi Bisht, HashiCorp and the Delhi High Court, with Justice Sachin Datta issuing the order.
- What
- The court awarded Bisht Rs 10 lakh, ordered Rs 1.5 lakh in costs, and set standards for protecting employees returning from maternity leave.
- Where
- The case was decided by the Delhi High Court; the disputed reassignment occurred at HashiCorp.
- When
- Bisht joined HashiCorp in June 2022, took maternity leave in December 2023, returned in July 2024, resigned in October 2024, and received the court order on August 31.
- Why
- The court said maternity-based professional disadvantage violates statutory protections and constitutional commitments to equality, dignity, social justice and humane working conditions.
Key facts
- Employee
- Rakhi Bisht, a chartered accountant
- Employer
- HashiCorp, a private software company
- Previous role
- Accounting manager
- Monthly salary
- Rs 2.6 lakh
- Compensation ordered
- Rs 10 lakh
- Legal costs
- Rs 1.5 lakh
- Policy deadline
- HashiCorp must complete the required rules or schemes within six months
Quotes
Justice Sachin Datta
Delhi High Court judge who issued the order
“pregnancy and maternity cannot be treated as grounds for professional disadvantage, demotion, loss of status, or denial of career progression. Such actions undermine not only the statutory protections available to women employees but also the constitutional commitment to equality, dignity, social justice, and humane conditions of work”
indianexpress.com
“Under no circumstance, can maternity be allowed to become a source of ignominy at the work place.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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