June 21, 2019: A training on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, was held today at the WCS-India office premises in Bengaluru. Addressing the staff, Mr Praneet Goteti, the CDO and HR head, WCS-India, touched upon the organisation’s policy for prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment at the work place.
He began by noting what constitutes sexual harassment and how to raise a complaint on experiencing the same. Throwing insight into the process, Mr Goteti informed the staff that the Internal Complaints Committee in place, which has the powers of a civil court, would take up the issue in total confidence and conclude investigations within 90 days. There will either be a conciliation between the two parties or in case of prima facie evidence, the ICC can forward the case to police within seven days, and it would be taken ahead further to the court.
The dos and don’ts around what constitutes sexual harassment were discussed as also some tips for good behaviour, in consonance with the core values of WCS-India that focusses on respect, integrity, etc.
The participating staff threw up some queries on the nature of those covered by the act, the constitution of the ICC, etc which were addressed by the CDO.
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (referred to as the POSH Act) was enacted as a comprehensive legislation to provide a safe, secure and enabling environment, free from sexual harassment to every woman. The Act codified the seminal guidelines issued by the Supreme Court following the Vishaka case in 1997.
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