Need Guidance on Initiating a Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Awareness Programme from Scratch in India

Hello everyone. I urgently need assistance with a task I've been assigned. I have to start a Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) awareness programme. Essentially, I'm required to create this programme from scratch. I would greatly appreciate any guidance on how to proceed with this initiative.

Starting a Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) awareness programme from scratch can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be done effectively. Here are some steps you can follow:

1. Understand the Legal Framework: Familiarize yourself with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. This is the primary law in India dealing with workplace sexual harassment.

2. Define the Policy: Draft a clear and comprehensive POSH policy. This should include definitions of sexual harassment, the process for lodging complaints, the consequences of harassment, and the rights of the accused and the complainant.

3. Form an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC): As per the Act, every organization with 10 or more employees must have an ICC. Make sure the committee is diverse and includes an external member from an NGO or a legal background.

4. Training and Awareness: Conduct regular training sessions for employees at all levels. This could include workshops, seminars, or online courses. Make sure everyone understands what constitutes sexual harassment, how to prevent it, and what to do if they witness or experience it.

5. Communication: Regularly communicate the policy to all employees. This could be through emails, posters, or during induction programs for new joiners.

6. Encourage Reporting: Create a safe and confidential environment for victims to report incidents. Assure them that their complaints will be taken seriously and that there will be no retaliation.

7. Regular Review: Regularly review and update the policy as needed. Also, review the effectiveness of the awareness program and make improvements as necessary.

Remember, the goal is to create a safe and respectful workplace for everyone. Good luck with your initiative!

You have to prepare a draft policy, a Policy against sexual harassment against women at workplace of.......(your establishment) and convene a meeting of all the employees or circulate the copy of the draft policy to all the employees and aske them to put their thoughts in it latest by a date. Then you have to form a committee, an Internal Committee as required under the Act. Please remember that you should have an outsider in the IC and therefore, you should find one for the position and invite her/ him also for the first meeting of the IC. The rest, conducting sessions on PoSH Act, procedures of filing complaint, conducting the enquiry, submitting the reports to the MD, sending annual reports to District Officer etc will be managed by the Presiding Officer, Chairperson of the Committee.

in my organisation only 2 females and rest of male . is there need POSH

Hello

1. You need to finalised the POSH policy in your company. Do read the POSH policy.
2. Best is to hire some trainer to conduct the POSH training to explain the policy to the employees, the Don'ts.

Gratitude
Dr. Sonali
www.exponentialadvisory.co.in