Workplace harassment: Confusion mounts as all kinds of cases get filed under PoSH
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (PoSH) Act, said top law firms advising corporates on such cases and committee members.
This is also contributing to a higher number of cases being lodged with internal committees of companies that are not prima facie cases of sexual harassment, the experts said.
A lack of awareness on redressal mechanisms for general grievances in some companies, and a feeling among many employees that since PoSH is a women-centric and robust workplace law their cases will find a fair hearing and redressal if filed under it, is leading to internal committees and lawyers grappling with what falls under sexual harassment.
This year, law firm Khaitan & Co saw a significant increase in the internal committees of several companies seeking legal advice for sexual harassment complaints. About 40-50% of these complaints may not come under the purview of sexual harassment in the absence of prima facie case of sexual harassment being made out, said Anshul Prakash, partner, employment labour and benefits at Khaitan & Co.
«There is still confusion among some people — employees and internal committee members — about what comes under PoSH.
