Invoking POSH

No, I am not talking about being posh and elegant. I am talking about Prevention of Sexual Harassment in the workplace. As a long time member of the ICC …..no it’s not International Cricket Council…. It’s Internal Complaint Committee ( a quasi judicial committee formed in workplaces in India),  I have been privy to many cases. There are men also in this committee but is headed by a senior lady employee.

I would like to address the men first, as this THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL) ACT, 2013 takes very strong cognizance of sexual harassment at the workplace. It includes harassment faced by any woman …..  permanent or temporary or intern or outsourced,  irrespective of designation.  Workplace is not only the office space, it will include company transportation, residential space provided by the employer and many more. It is not confined to office hours only. I am an academician and let me share what is workplace in my context. It is the physical infrastructure of my institution, classrooms, labs, the playgrounds, the gym, the auditorium, the transport service, dwelling place…. Any discomfort (in terms of sexual harassment) created for the women during or after office hours will come under this act. If a male supervisor / boss / teacher seeks company of female student / colleague and this act is not being welcomed by the female it may lead to a complaint under this act. As defined by the act  “sexual harassment” includes any one or more of the following unwelcome acts or behaviour (whether directly or by implication) namely:— (i) physical contact and advances; or (ii) a demand or request for sexual favours; or (iii) making sexually coloured remarks; or (iv) showing pornography; or (v) any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.

Now for the women…. Clearly set your boundaries and be explicit of what you do not like. If the person concerned is one who is more powerful than you in the hierarchy, ask for help.  Talk to women who can mentor you on such issues. The ICC is a very strong committee (exceptions are there when the woman heading the committee is a pawn of the management). If you feel the ICC cannot help, register a FIR in the police station. The police immediately takes the perpetrator into custody (men please be aware of this).

Ladies….do work on your body language. It can act as a deterrent to any male who may have such ideas. Your confidence will be reflected in your body language when you experiment doing things beyond your comfort zone. Develop your physical stamina and strength, develop your knowledge base and work on looking unflinchingly at people straight in the eye. Eyes are very powerful. Share such misbehaviour of male friend/colleagues/boss with your girl friends. Most of the time, we worry about what other people will think of us and so we keep quiet and thus giving more leeway to the perpetrator.

For those young couples who think they are good friends and are comfortable with public display of affection, keep in mind that the day the girl is offended, she can place a complaint in the ICC.

Let me end with a note of caution for the women. Although ICC works on resolving your issues, it being a quasi judicial body ensures due justice for both genders. ICC is wise enough to recognise malicious complaints.