Redressal of Sexual Harassment in PoSH Act 2013- The Act defines sexual harassment as unwelcome acts or behavior (whether directly or by implication) namely, physical contact and advances, a demand or request for sexual favors, making sexually colored remarks, showing pornography, any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.
The Act lays down certain duties of the employer and District Officer under Section 19 and 20 respectively such as creating awareness on sexual harassment at workplace, sensitize the employees, assist the complaints committee in conducting the inquiry, act upon recommendations of the committee, monitor timely submissions of reports of the committee, etc.
Redressal of Sexual Harassment in PoSH Act 2013
Employers need to set up a redress mechanism or complaints committees as per Vishaka guidelines. First Contact Persons from within the Committee or otherwise should be appointed who could try to resolve the complaint informally first before the complaint goes to the formal channels of the complaints committee. The organization needs to put down clearly, certain non-negotiables for the complaints committees for effective resolution of complaints.
The module Redressal of Sexual Harassment in PoSH Act 2013 includes: