Swasti Yoga Center – Grievance Redressal Policy

Swasti Yoga Center is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, respect, and professionalism in all aspects of our operations—both online and offline. This Grievance Redressal Policy ensures that concerns or complaints from students, staff, visitors, and stakeholders are resolved promptly, fairly, and in accordance with our internal Code of Conduct, India’s DPDPA (2023), Information Technology Act (2000), and other relevant international frameworks (e.g. GDPR, UK DPA, etc.).

1. Scope and Application

This policy applies to:

All individuals engaging with Swasti Yoga Center (students, clients, faculty, staff, online users, vendors).
Online and offline operations globally.
Grievances regarding data privacy, discrimination, misconduct, harassment, teaching quality, service delivery, billing disputes, or any violation of internal policies or legal rights.

Note: Anonymous complaints will not be investigated due to fairness and due process constraints.

2. Definitions

Term	Description
Grievance	A formal complaint regarding misconduct, policy violations, service issues, or rights infringements.
Complainant	The individual raising the grievance.
Respondent	The person or entity against whom the complaint is raised.
Investigation	The process undertaken to gather facts and evaluate the grievance.
Decision	The resolution issued based on the findings of the investigation.
Appeal	A formal request to reassess a Decision on valid grounds.
Member	Any faculty, teacher, trainer, or staff affiliated with Swasti Yoga Center.
GRO	Grievance Redressal Officer responsible for overseeing grievance management.

3. Reporting a Grievance

A grievance must be submitted within one year of the incident, unless an extension is warranted.

Submit via:

Email: contact.swastiyoga@gmail.com
Mail or In Person:
Grievance Redressal Officer
Swasti Yoga Center
Empire Estate, M2, 001, Near Jai Hind Collections, Chinchwad, Pune – 411019

Mandatory Details to Include:

Your full name, contact details
Name(s) of Respondent(s)
Description of incident (dates, locations, nature of grievance)
Names and contacts of witnesses (if any)
Relevant documents or evidence
Reason for delayed reporting, if applicable

4. Preliminary Review

All grievances undergo a Preliminary Review by the Human Resources Department or GRO to determine:

Validity of subject matter and jurisdiction
Timeliness and completeness
Whether an investigation is warranted

If inadequate information is provided, the grievance may not proceed.

5. Investigation Process

Investigations will:

Involve interviews with Complainant, Respondent, and Witnesses
Maintain fairness, confidentiality, and neutrality
Require written responses or interviews within 21 days of notification
Gather and assess evidence based on preponderance of evidence (i.e., more likely than not)

Swasti Yoga Center reserves the right to initiate an investigation even if no grievance is filed formally.

6. Confidentiality

Swasti Yoga Center values privacy and strives to:

Keep personal information and case details confidential
Disclose information only when necessary for due process
Avoid retaliation or victimization of any party involved

7. Interim Measures

Swasti Yoga Center may suspend employment, class participation, or access to services during:

Ongoing investigations
Legal proceedings
Risk assessments involving safety or legal exposure

8. Decision and Notification

A Notice of Decision is issued to the Respondent (and Complainant when appropriate).
Decisions may include disciplinary action, training mandates, termination, or no action if unsubstantiated.
In cases of sexual misconduct, both parties are informed of the outcome.

9. Disciplinary Actions

Depending on severity and context, actions may include:

Warning or written reprimand
Training or counseling
Temporary suspension
Dismissal or termination of employment/membership
Legal reporting (if required)

10. Appeal Process

Both parties may request an Appeal of the Decision within 21 days of receipt.

Valid grounds for appeal:

Significant procedural errors
Substantive new evidence unavailable during the original investigation

Appeals must be submitted in writing to:
📧 contact.swastiyoga@gmail.com or in person to Swasti Yoga Center HR.

The Appeal will be reviewed by the Founder, Dr. Vikas Chothe, or his designated representative. The decision will be communicated within 21 days and will be final.

11. Oversight and Review

All grievances are reviewed for alignment with Swasti Yoga Center’s Code of Conduct, Anti-Harassment, and Privacy/Data Protection policies.
Data collected during investigations will be retained securely for a minimum of 3 years, unless longer retention is legally required.

12. Compliance with Laws

This policy is designed to comply with:

India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA, 2023)
Information Technology Act (2000)
Ministry of AYUSH norms
Global privacy and consumer protection laws, including GDPR, UK DPA, and California CCPA as applicable to international users

13. Contact Information

Grievance Redressal Officer (GRO)
Deepali Shintre
📍 Swasti Yoga Center, Chinchwad, Pune – 411019
📧 Email: contact.swastiyogacenter@gmail.com