Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH)
1. What is Workplace Sexual Harassment?
Workplace Sexual Harassment is behaviour that is :
- UNWELCOME
- SEXUAL in nature
- A SUBJECTIVE experience
IMPACT – not INTENT is what matters
It may occur as misuse of power.
Unwelcome | Welcome |
Feels bad | Feels good |
One sided | Acceptable |
Feels powerless | In-control |
Power based | Equality |
Unwanted | Wanted |
Illegal | Legal |
Causes anger/sadness | Happy |
Causes negative impact | Positive self esteem |
1. What is Workplace Sexual Harassment?
- Any conduct or behaviour is unwelcome if:
- the recipient does not consent to
- considers it as
- Even if the victim does not complain, it doesn’t necessarily imply that the conduct is welcome.
- Obvious and crude comments are usually offensive and unwelcome
2. Examples of Sexual harassment -
Physical Contact & Advances
Demanding or Requesting Sexual Favours
Showing Pornography
Sexually Coloured Remarks
2. Examples of Sexual harassment -
- Staring, obscene gestures, howling, making kissing sounds, smacking lips
- Showing sexually obscene/suggestive signs, objects or pictures
- Indecent comments, dirty jokes, comments on a woman’s dress/bod
- Using authority to request for favours or threats on loss of privileges/loss of job
- Intentional touching, patting, caressing, kissing,
- brushing against another’s body / body parts
- Blocking way, following and cornering
2. Examples of Sexual harassment -
- Referring as honey, sweety , or by any other intimidating words
- Making work discussions sound sexual
- Telling sexual jokes or stories
- Asking about sexual fantasies, spreading lies of sexual nature
- Winking, Touching intentionally
- Physical Assault and / or Rape
3. What is referred as the Workplace?
Any place visited by the employee in the course of employment including transportation is construed as the workplace.
This includes:
- Field work
- Hotel stay during MRM / CBM
- Doctor Clinics / Hospitals
- Stockiest / Distributors
- Head Office
- Training Program Venue
- Virtual official meetings and calls
4. Who are covered under the policy?
- All employees of Integrace
- Temporary workers
- Trainees
- Interns
- Housekeeping Staff
- Security Personnel
- Client representatives
- Vendor representatives
5. Categorization of Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace can be categorized into 2 groups:
5. Categorization of Sexual Harassment
Quid Pro Quo
‘Quid pro quo’ means ‘this for that’, an exchange of one thing for another. Quid pro quo sexual harassment takes place if :
- Sexual favours are asked in exchange for any kind of special treatment on the job.
- An employee threatens anyone if he/she does not consent to such sexual advances or favours.
5. Categorization of Sexual Harassment
Hostile environment sexual harassment occurs when :
- Speech or conduct of a sexual nature takes place & is seen as offensive (affects performance of recipient)
- Intimidating /harassing conduct that is directed at an individual, or a group of individuals
Is this Sexual Harassment or Not?
1
Arvind and Sulabha are part of a team at Integrace. Sulabha reports into Arvind. Arvind constantly tells Sulabha that they should go out somewhere after work hours, perhaps for a late night movie or dinner.
Sulabha is uncomfortable but smiles and says she is busy most often! One day, Arvind tells Sulabha that if she turns down his request again, her ratings will be affected
IS THIS SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR NOT?
1
- Yes
The behaviour was unwelcome for ulabha and was a “Quid Pro Quo” (This for that) behaviour
2
Neha is part of team that reports to Neeraj who is her college Senior. Neha is not so good at work and Neeraj had to make constant follow-up with her in order to deliver the responsibilities of her role.
One day, to meet the deadlines, Neeraj calls Neha every 2 hours and asks for progress on
the reports which she was supposed to deliver by 7 PM. Neha is very upset on receiving multiple calls
IS THIS SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR NOT?
2
- No
The behaviour was within the expectations of the role and is a result of non-compliance with the standards.
The behaviour does not involve any personal or sexual favours or words
3
Reshma just joined as a fresher and is new to the role of FSO. Her colleague was Rashid, who was handling the neighbouring territory as FSO. Reshma was impressed with relationship of Rashid with customers. Rashid was always friendly with her and made her welcome in the team. He also guided her about the various processes.
One day, after a team meeting which got over late, Rashid asked Reshma if they can eat a snack from the nearby stall before they went to their own respective homes. She agreed happily and willingly.
IS THIS SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR NOT?
3
- No
The behaviour was not an “unwelcome” for Recipient – Reshma
The behaviour did not involve any sexual intentions or impact
4
Sunita sent across pictures of some scantily clad women to Rakesh. Rakesh requested Sunita not to send him such obscene pictures in the future as he was not comfortable with the same. But Sunita continued.
IS THIS AN EXAMPLE OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT?
4
- YES
The behaviour was unwelcome for Rakesh and was an example of Hostile Environment for Sexual behaviour
If you are being sexually harassed who should you complain to?
To register a complaint write an email to : Presiding officer
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
The Current Presiding officer is Ms Aditee Ghate
Head of Compliance and Quality
aditee.ghate@integracehealth.com
The complaint will be kept strict confidential
6. Consequences of Sexual Harassment
Once a complaint is received & the investigation has been carried out, validity of the harassment allegations will be determined.
If harassment has occurred, prompt, remedial action will be taken by ICC at Integrace
6. Consequences of Sexual Harassment
Action Against Harassment can Include
- Restoration of lost terms, conditions or benefits of employment to the complainant
- Disciplinary action against Harasser :
➦ Written disciplinary warnings
➦ Demotion
➦ Suspension
➦ Termination
7. What is not Workplace Sexual Harassment?
- Following-up on work absences
- Requiring performance to job
- Reprimands in relation to work/meeting targets or deadlines in a professional way
- Work-related stress g. meeting deadlines or quality standards.
- Touching/brushing against/pushing without a sexual intention
- Constructive feedback about
8. Steps to avoid Sexual Harassment
DO NOT IGNORE IT.
Don’t pretend it didn’t happen. Inform the harasser that the behaviour is unwelcome.
REPORT THE INCIDENT.
Tell the ICC exactly what happened as soon as possible. Write to the presiding officer aditee.ghate@integracehealth.com
All complaints are kept confidential till the investigation is completed
DO NOT ACCEPT THE BEHAVIOUR.
Do not tolerate the harassment even if t seems that others around you are tolerating it.
8. Steps to avoid Sexual Harassment
BE SUPPORTIVE.
If someone wishes to talk to you about their personal experience, listen with empathy and then direct them to ICC.
ANY ASSOCIATE MAY FILE COMPLAINTS.
If you see someone else getting harassed, you may also file a complaint.