Simple steps to create awareness on PoSH Act, 2013
-
Create an Anti-harassment policy (aligning with the service rules)
-
Clearly define the protocol responding to sexual harassment
-
Train your employees to prevent and report sexual harassment complaints.
Step No 1: Create an Anti-harassment policy (aligning with the service rules)
What is Anti - harassment Policy?
An harassment policy aims to address and prevent the situations that violate dignity of a woman pertaining to single or repeated incidents of intimidation, humiliation, degradation, bullying, or other undesirable verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct toward one person or a group of people.
Step No 2: Clearly define the protocol responding to sexual harassment
-
Explain the prohibited conduct thoroughly.
-
Take online/offline complaints into consideration.
-
Investigate and document all the evidences.
-
Ensure confidentiality.
-
Be consistent in propagating the Anti-harassment Policy.
-
Confirm the Policy is circulated and understood by the employees.
-
Ensure the workplace culture and acceptance.
Step No 3: Train your employees to prevent and report sexual harassment complaints:
-
Gender sensitization Training workshops to understand and promote equality at workplace.
-
The PoSH Act Prescribes to conduct periodical Training programs/Workshops to the workforce to create awareness.
-
Capacity and Skill building workshop to the Internal Committee members to conduct the investigation without bias.
-
Annual Training workshops to the work force helps the organization create a conducive work environment which reflects the credibility of the Organization.
Encouraging the workforce to have discussion on Sexual Harassment, organizing a theater workshops will enhance the awareness on Sexual Harassment behavior and the importance of equality in the workplace.
Aboout the Author
Ms.RamaHaran, is a Certified PoSH Trainer & Consultant, and she is also an external Member of Anna Univeristy, Madras School of Economics, Chennai and CLRI-Central Leather Research Institute.