POSH stands for Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace derived from Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
Today, all workplaces in India are mandated by law to provide a safe and secure working environment free from sexual harassment for all women.
POSH was India’s first piece of legislation that specifically dealt with workplace sexual harassment of women. Now, organisations are responsible for ensuring a safe working environment by preventing, prohibiting and redressing sexual harassment.
India CSR POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Summit & Awards for Inclusive Workplace will be held on 5 June at New Delhi. The purpose of summit is to deliberate on best practices and recognize organisations that have believed and excelled in creating safe workplace and respectful culture. The summit is being organised by India CSR, India’s largest Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (CSR) network.
POSH Laws apply to every employer whether an individual, partnership or a company. Therefore, every organization, be it Public Limited Company, Private Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership, Partnership Firms, Association, Society, Trust, Proprietorship or even an NGO, irrespective of its size and number of the employees, has to comply with the laws enshrined in the Act.
What Amounts to Sexual Harassment?
The definition of sexual harassment in the Act is exhaustive and covers a very wide range. It states that direct or implied sexual conduct, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature, sexually coloured remarks, etc. all tantamount to an offence under this Act.
The law has been framed keeping in mind the psychological impact that these incidences leave on the victim. Human dignity should be preserved at all costs and under all circumstances.
Be Compliant!
A organisation needs to have a Sexual Harassment Policy, should constitute an Internal Complaints Committee and create awareness among employees.
It is mandatory to be compliant and follow all the guidelines, if any case occurs in your company!
Ignorance is a Bliss? Not at All!
If you are unaware of ‘PoSH’ and its implications on your organisation for non-compliance, then beware, you are inviting trouble to your doorstep!
A mammoth problem may hit you like a tsunami and its gigantic waves can destroy the reputation and good will established over the years!
Message Behind PoSH: Get It Right!
It is essential for your company and your employees to know what refers to ‘sexual harassment’, how to prevent it from plaguing the workplace, what prohibitions can work and if, unfortunately, any employee suffers from it, how to seek redressal!
Guarantee Safe Workplace!
Over the years, equal opportunities provided to girls has resulted in them being employed in various sectors in huge numbers. A safe workplace is a right of every worker and any compromises over this can lead to catastrophic consequences.
It is quite infuriating and upsetting to go through data on women harassment at workplace which points out that at least 60% of them go through this horrifying experience!
It is not only an infringement of women’s fundamental rights but also a traumatizing experience that leaves a long-lasting negative impact! More than the physical discomfort, it generates metal agony!
What’s The Best Way to Ensure Safe Workplaces?
The need of the hour is to introduce training sessions and workshops on PoSH to sensitize your employees about this Act in totality.
Expert trainers, who are conversant with the Act, can impart knowledge about each and every aspect of it.
Be Progressive!
Instances of sexual harassment at workplace, somewhere shows a regressive mentality and in this, the real value of education, culture and ethics is washed away!
The workplace should provide a sense of security for all so that employees can contribute full heartedly towards its progress.
Or Pay A Heavy Price!
The ‘#MeToo’ movement that started on the social media, has dented the reputation of many big companies and firms and plummeted the career of many high-flying people.
It was a naming and shaming of people in which the name of companies was also dragged, inciting shame and dishonor!
A hyper sensitive issue such as sexual harassment, needs gentle handling, to address the key issues India CSR POSH Summit & Awards that will give you a holistic view of PoSH- its provisions, penalties, mandate, stakeholder responsibilities and all consequences of non-compliance. The forums is an excellent opportunity that provides assistance in making your company 100% PoSH compliant and train your employees to deal with all the nuances of the Act.
It will work towards raising awareness, educating on long term impact of it, how to avoid it, or if a complaint is generated, ways and means of redressal.
