Anti-Discrimination & Equal Treatment Policy

Last updated: 27 May 2026  ·  Applicable to all customers, carpenters, and staff

This Policy explains what behaviour we expect, what we prohibit, and what happens when violations occur. It applies to every interaction in the MyCarpenter ecosystem — bookings, on-site visits, WhatsApp messages, calls, ratings, and reviews. Compliance is a condition of using our service.

1. Purpose & Scope

This Policy establishes MyCarpenter's standards for equal treatment and non-discrimination in every interaction that takes place through our Platform. The objective is simple: every person involved with MyCarpenter — whether they are buying a service, delivering one, or supporting either of those activities — must be able to do so without fear of discrimination, harassment, or abuse based on who they are.

This Policy applies to all conduct that occurs:

• On the MyCarpenter website, mobile interface, or any booking channel;
• In WhatsApp, telephone, email, or in-person communication with our team or carpenters;
• At the customer's premises during a service visit;
• In service ratings, written reviews, and feedback submissions;
• In any communication carrying the MyCarpenter brand or relating to a MyCarpenter booking.

2. Legal Basis

This Policy is grounded in and consistent with applicable Indian law, including:

• Articles 14, 15, and 17 of the Constitution of India — guaranteeing equality before the law, prohibiting discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, and abolishing untouchability;
• The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989;
• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act);
• The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016;
• The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019;
• Relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code on insult, intimidation, and abuse.

Where this Policy sets higher standards than the law strictly requires, those higher standards apply within the MyCarpenter ecosystem.

3. Who This Applies To

This Policy is binding on:

• All customers who book a service, hold an AMC subscription, or use our Platform;
• All carpenters onboarded onto MyCarpenter, whether engaged directly or through partner arrangements;
• All MyCarpenter staff — including support, sales, operations, and management personnel;
• Any third-party service provider acting on behalf of MyCarpenter (delivery agents, surveyors, photographers, etc.).

4. Protected Characteristics

No individual involved with MyCarpenter shall be subjected to discrimination, harassment, or differential treatment based on any of the following:

Religion or faith	including Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, Jewish, atheist, agnostic, or any other belief or absence of belief
Caste, sub-caste, or community	including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, and any other community classification
Race, ethnicity, or skin colour	including all racial, ethnic, and skin-tone variations
Regional or national origin	including state of birth, native place, mother-tongue, accent, or migrant status (e.g., North Indian, South Indian, North-Eastern, Bengali, Nepali origin)
Language	spoken or written; including limited proficiency in Kannada, Hindi, English, or any other language
Sex & gender identity	including male, female, transgender, non-binary, and any other gender identity
Sexual orientation	including heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and any other orientation
Age	subject to the minimum-18 eligibility for using the Platform
Disability	physical, sensory, intellectual, or psychosocial — as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
Marital or family status	including single, married, divorced, widowed, partnered, single parent, or pregnant
Health or HIV status	including any medical condition that does not affect the work being performed
Socio-economic background	income, profession of family members, education level, or any other socio-economic indicator

5. Prohibited Conduct

The following conduct is prohibited in any MyCarpenter interaction, regardless of who initiates it:

5.1 Refusal of Service or Engagement

• Refusing to book, accept, complete, or pay for a service based on any Protected Characteristic;
• Requesting that the assigned carpenter be replaced because of their religion, caste, region, language, or any other Protected Characteristic;
• A carpenter declining a booking or leaving a job mid-way because of any Protected Characteristic of the customer.

5.2 Verbal & Written Abuse

• Slurs, insults, mocking, name-calling, or derogatory language referring to any Protected Characteristic;
• Use of caste-based, communal, or regional slurs in any form;
• Sarcastic, demeaning, or hostile remarks about a person's identity, accent, food habits, religious practice, or appearance;
• Written abuse in WhatsApp messages, service ratings, or reviews.

5.3 Differential Treatment

• Requiring carpenters to use separate entrances, utensils, washrooms, or seating areas based on identity (this includes practices historically associated with untouchability);
• Refusing to offer water or basic courtesies to a carpenter that would normally be extended;
• Demanding identification or background details beyond what MyCarpenter has already verified, with the implication of a discriminatory motive;
• Asking intrusive questions about religion, caste, family background, or origin that have no bearing on the service.

5.4 Physical Threat or Harm

• Any physical contact, intimidation, threat of harm, or unwanted touching;
• Brandishing weapons, raising hand, or making gestures of physical threat;
• Confining, restraining, or detaining any person against their will.

6. Sexual Harassment & Personal Safety

In line with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and applying similar standards to people of all genders, the following are strictly prohibited:

• Unwelcome physical contact, advances, or sexual touching;
• Requests for sexual favours, whether expressed or implied;
• Sexually coloured remarks, jokes, or innuendo;
• Displaying or sharing sexual or pornographic content;
• Stalking, following, or making any contact outside the booking context;
• Any conduct of a sexual nature that is unwanted or creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive environment.

7. Reasonable Preferences vs Discrimination

Some preferences are legitimate; others are discriminatory. The distinction is important.

Acceptable Preference	Discriminatory Request (Not Acceptable)
"I am a woman alone at home and would prefer a female-presenting carpenter, or please call ahead to confirm." (Reasonable safety-based request; we will try to accommodate subject to availability.)	"Don't send a Muslim/Bengali/non-Kannada-speaking carpenter." (Identity-based exclusion; this Policy prohibits it.)
"I would prefer a carpenter who can converse in Hindi/Kannada/English so we can communicate clearly about complex work." (Reasonable language-based preference for service quality.)	"I won't have a [regional/caste/religious slur] in my house." (Discrimination based on origin/identity, regardless of the language used.)
"Please send a carpenter experienced in heavy door installation specifically." (Skill-based preference.)	"Send your most senior / older carpenter, not a young one." (Age-based discrimination unless tied to specific verified skill.)
"My family member uses a wheelchair, please ensure the carpenter is comfortable working around it." (Disability-related accommodation request.)	"My family member has [a condition] and I don't want the carpenter to be aware." (Discrimination by concealment is not permitted; we expect mutual respect.)

MyCarpenter retains the right to decline any request we determine to be discriminatory, even if framed as a "preference." We will explain our reasoning courteously.

8. Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodation

In line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, MyCarpenter is committed to making our service accessible:

• Booking accessibility: Customers with disabilities may book via WhatsApp voice notes, video calls, or with assistance from a family member. We do not require any particular booking method.
• Communication accommodation: We can arrange phone or WhatsApp communication via a family member or caregiver where helpful, with the customer's consent.
• On-site accommodation: Our carpenters will adapt their approach to respect mobility, sensory, or cognitive accommodations the customer requests.
• For carpenters with disabilities: Carpenters with any disability are equally welcome on our platform, with reasonable accommodations made for tool handling, communication, or transport.

To request a specific accommodation, please mention it at the time of booking or WhatsApp us before the visit. We will confirm what can be arranged.

9. Customer Obligations

As a customer, you agree to:

• Accept the carpenter assigned by MyCarpenter, regardless of their religion, caste, region, language, gender, or any other Protected Characteristic;
• Treat the carpenter with the same courtesy and respect you would expect for yourself;
• Offer reasonable on-site comfort (access to drinking water, washroom if needed, a chair for breaks during long jobs);
• Refrain from intrusive personal questions about religion, caste, family origin, or financial circumstances;
• Raise any genuine quality or conduct concern through the proper channel (Section 12), not through public abuse, threats, or retaliatory low ratings;
• Honour our written-approval requirement for any change of scope, and not pressure the carpenter to do unbilled work or "compensate" by extending labour unfairly.

10. Carpenter Obligations

As a carpenter on the MyCarpenter platform, you agree to:

• Accept assigned bookings regardless of the customer's religion, caste, region, gender, family composition, or any other Protected Characteristic;
• Conduct yourself professionally — in uniform, with ID card, respectful language, and timely arrival;
• Address customers respectfully (e.g., as "Sir", "Madam", or by name where invited), regardless of their age, gender, or circumstances;
• Maintain confidentiality about anything observed inside the customer's home — family circumstances, possessions, conversations — and never share this with third parties or on social media;
• Refuse politely and report immediately any request that asks you to engage in discrimination toward a colleague, supplier, or third party;
• Walk away and report immediately if the customer engages in any behaviour from Section 5 or 6. Leaving in such circumstances will never count against your service record.

11. MyCarpenter's Commitments

As the operator of the platform, we commit to:

• Equal carpenter onboarding: We do not screen carpenter applications based on religion, caste, region, or any other Protected Characteristic. Skills, verification, and conduct are the only relevant criteria.
• Equal customer service: We do not price differently, prioritise differently, or limit service based on the customer's name, area, religion, or background. Our Rate Card is the same for everyone in our Service Area.
• Algorithmic neutrality: Our assignment logic does not match carpenters to customers based on identity factors; assignment is based on availability, distance, and skill match alone.
• Honest investigation: Every reported complaint is investigated fairly, regardless of which party reported it, and consequences apply equally to customers, carpenters, and staff.
• Carpenter dignity: We will publicly defend our carpenters against discriminatory treatment, including by terminating service to repeat offenders, and we will not pressure carpenters to accept abuse "for the sake of the business."
• Customer dignity: Customers reporting carpenter misconduct will be heard without dismissal or retaliation, and a different carpenter will be assigned for any subsequent booking.

12. Reporting a Concern

If you experience or witness conduct that violates this Policy — whether as a customer, carpenter, staff member, or observer — please report it through any of the following channels:

Please include, where possible: the date and time of the incident, the names or Booking ID involved, a description of what was said or done, and the names of any witnesses or photo/screenshot evidence. We understand that not all of this may be available — share what you can.

Anonymous reports are accepted but they limit our ability to investigate. Where you provide your identity, your name will be kept confidential to the extent possible (see Section 14).

13. Investigation & Consequences

13.1 Investigation Process

1. Acknowledgement: We confirm receipt within 48 hours.
2. Initial assessment: A designated officer reviews the report and may request clarifying details.
3. Statements: Statements are gathered from all parties involved (complainant, accused, witnesses). Each party gets a fair opportunity to respond.
4. Findings: A written summary of findings is prepared, indicating whether the Policy was violated, and to what degree.
5. Decision & communication: Both parties are informed of the outcome and any consequences imposed.
6. Appeal: Either party may appeal in writing within 7 days of the decision, after which a final review will be conducted.

13.2 Consequences for Customers

Depending on the severity of the violation:

• Minor first-time incident: Written warning and a request to apologise to the affected party;
• Serious or repeated incident: Suspension of the customer account, cancellation of any active AMC (with no refund where misconduct is proven), and permanent ban from the Platform;
• Severe incident (e.g., physical assault, sexual harassment, caste atrocity): Immediate permanent ban and reporting to police authorities under applicable law. We will fully cooperate with any criminal investigation.

13.3 Consequences for Carpenters

• Minor first-time incident: Written warning, mandatory re-training, and supervised return to service;
• Serious or repeated incident: Suspension pending investigation, followed by removal from the platform for confirmed violations;
• Severe incident: Immediate removal and reporting to police authorities under applicable law.

13.4 Consequences for Staff

MyCarpenter staff who violate this Policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, in accordance with employment law and our internal HR policies.

14. Anti-Retaliation & Confidentiality

14.1 No Retaliation

No person who reports a concern in good faith under this Policy — whether or not the report is ultimately substantiated — shall face retaliation. Retaliation includes but is not limited to:

• Cancellation of an existing AMC or booking for the reporting customer;
• Removal from the platform or reduced assignments for a reporting carpenter;
• Negative ratings or hostile reviews directed at the reporting party in connection with the report;
• Threats, intimidation, or any form of pressure intended to discourage reporting or to withdraw an existing report.

Retaliation is itself a violation of this Policy and is subject to the consequences in Section 13.

14.2 Confidentiality

All complaints, investigation files, and outcomes are handled confidentially. Information is shared only with those who need to know in order to investigate or implement consequences — typically the designated officer, senior management, and where required, law enforcement. We do not publish the names of parties involved in any complaint.

Where a public statement is necessary (e.g., to reassure carpenters after a serious incident), individuals will be referred to only in anonymised form.

15. Policy Review & Training

Annual review: This Policy is reviewed at least once a year by senior management, and may be updated to reflect changes in law, emerging issues, or feedback received through the reporting mechanism.

Carpenter onboarding: Every new carpenter is briefed on this Policy at the time of onboarding, in the language they are most comfortable with. A signed acknowledgement is filed.

Customer notice: A summary of this Policy is shared with all new AMC subscribers and is permanently available on this page.

Staff training: MyCarpenter staff handling complaints receive periodic training on neutral investigation, confidentiality, and applicable Indian law.

16. Contact Us

For questions about this Policy, to report a concern, or to seek clarification on any aspect of equal treatment at MyCarpenter:

By using mycarpenter.online, booking any Service, or onboarding as a MyCarpenter carpenter, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted this Anti-Discrimination & Equal Treatment Policy.
© MyCarpenter 2026 — Operated by Designs Palette Development Solutions LLP, Bengaluru.