How Can We Promote Respect and Support for Women in Our Workplace Culture?

Hi all,

Hope all of you are doing well!

Kindly help me draft an email or suggest criteria as at my workplace, one of the employees made inappropriate comments to a female colleague about her appearance. As a result, the director has asked me to draft an email promoting respect for women in the organization. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have to create a work culture that is particularly supportive of women.

Thanks.

Hello Palasi Chandel,

You may have sessions, seminars, or presentations on Sexual Harassment at the Workplace to spread awareness of the issues and impacts associated with this Act. You may even revise the Sexual Harassment policy for all employees by sending a common communication (mailer) with case studies or a PowerPoint presentation.

Hope this helps!

Regards,
Asna Siddiqui

Apart from what Asna Siddiqui said, you can bring to the notice of every employee through your mail about the Prevention and Prohibition of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013 (known as the POSH Act), which prohibits any act, message, gestures, lewd comments, or any remarks, verbal or written or electronically transmitted, or any unwelcome advances or whistling that offends a woman's dignity, comfort, safety, and security at the workplace, warranting both disciplinary action and criminal action against the delinquent employee.

Hope you have implemented the said Act by constituting an ICC. You need to give wide publicity about the act through workshops and seminars in your organization.

B. Saikumar
HR & Labour Relations Advisor
Navi Mumbai

Dear Palasi, you may use the following draft:

Date: -


As all of you are aware, the administration of ____________ (name of your company) places heavy emphasis on social conduct and deportment in the workplace. Merely possessing job-related knowledge or skills is not sufficient; observing workplace etiquette is also important.

Instances have come to notice wherein a few staff members have made unsavory remarks against their female colleagues. The administration of ____________ (name of your company) hardly expected that such incidents could happen in our company. While making remarks against a colleague, the individual may not have realized that such behavior is unlawful and could attract severe penalties under the provisions of the law on sexual harassment at work.

The female staff member has shown graciousness and ignored the distasteful remarks. However, the administration of ______ (name of the company) cannot rely on women's graciousness forever. Unsavory remarks against women poison the culture of the company. Every woman working in this company has the inherent right to perform her duties without compromising her dignity. All staff members are hereby warned to be mindful of their conduct. The staff members of our company are mature enough to understand how to avoid unpleasant situations at work. Let us strive to fulfill the vision and mission of our company. To do this, it is important to stay focused and avoid distractions of any kind.

Authorised Signatory

Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar

Incident of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace

The incident that you have shared is a case of sexual harassment. The Law on Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace (POSH Law) covers these incidents. Every organization having 10 or more employees has to comply with the law.

In addition to the email that your Director wants to be sent, it is recommended that you ensure compliance with the POSH law and conduct awareness/sensitization sessions for your employees so that they know that such behavior is unacceptable and can land them in trouble as it is an offense.

If you wish to seek professional help in the implementation of the POSH Law at your company, we will be glad to help. Please feel free to connect with us anytime.

Thanks & Regards,
Avika

I agree with Senior friend Mr. Dinesh to circulate the matter mentioning the repercussions of teasing or commenting on a woman. If not a circular, a notice can be placed or an email sent to all employees with the content to make them aware that the company shall not tolerate such untoward or derogatory remarks about female employees.

POSH Awareness

As suggested by senior friends, you can also make a slide on POSH (prevention of sexual harassment) and make them aware of the employer's liability and seriousness in the matter. Women harassment, either at the workplace or in a public place, is not to be allowed, and unless you deal with it strongly, women in the company feel insecure.