Do you wish to create a safe workplace environment where employees are not afraid to speak up in case of any sexual harassment or discrimination? What is your current definition of workplace and does your existing workplace policies address sexual harassment? These are some questions that all organisations need to ask themselves when considering workplace security.

Build safe working culture with Grant Thornton Bharat

We strongly believe that creating a safe and secure work culture that is free from discrimination and harassment and provides equal opportunity for all its employees, is the best way to attract, retain and develop global talent and ensure strong business performance.

Grant Thornton Bharat LLP’s (POSH) compliance advisory services can help you create a safe and secure work culture.

Have you heard of harassment going digital?

With Covid-19 and the advent of working from home, sexual harassment has not ended, instead it has gone virtual. With boundaries of ‘workplace’ blurring and organisations engaging with larger number of contract workers, there is a need for organisations to reassess the POSH policy to ensure it effectively covers all workplace settings, who all fall under the policy’s purview and simultaneously have robust processes to prevent and address any unfortunate event.

Organisations need to look at creating awareness among employees regarding POSH policies in a hybrid workplace and constantly check on unconscious biases. The system built should allow regular check on teams and advocate a zero-tolerance policy. Our services can enable processes that focus on gender sensitivity and healthier workforce inclusion. This will also ensure equal opportunity for all employees and retain the good talent within the company.
Dinesh Anand National Managing Partner, Risk, Private Equity, POSH and ESG, Grant Thornton Bharat

Going beyond the law

Notably, the Indian laws- the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) and the Indian Penal Code, 1860, (IPC) have stated provisions for the prevention of sexual harassment. These laws criminalise offences such as sexual harassment, stalking and voyeurism and provide legislative help to women.

Although the POSH Act in India is applicable to women, there are increasing instances of men and LGBTQ being sexually harassed, as well. With workplace diversity and inclusivity gaining importance, companies can relook at the policy to include all genders and effectively provide a safe and secure workplace to all its employees.

To build safe working culture, Grant Thornton Bharat’s services focus on all compliance related to prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace including filing and sexual harassment training for Internal Committee and employees as well as policy creation/updation to make it relevant to the new normal as well as address diversity and inclusivity by making the policy gender neutral.

Prevention of Sexual Harassment in the modern working world

Prevention of Sexual Harassment in the modern working world

With strong capabilities and deep knowledge about POSH, we offer a diverse set of services across the globe.

    What we can do for you

    If you are an organisation that believes in creating a workplace of the future, going beyond the requirements of the law and creating a healthy workplace culture, Grant Thornton Bharat can help you achieve the same. Here’s how we can help you:

    • Curate specific workshops, sessions and employee assessment programmes to ensure in-depth understanding of POSH and appropriate workplace conduct
    • Skill building workshops for ICC members: Focus on in-depth training on nuances of the POSH Act, training in empathetic investigation techniques and sensitisation through bias addressal.
    • Customised programmes/workshops for employees: Conduct micro-learning sessions, refresher trainings and interactive classroom sessions for senior management. We will also provide interactive modules that help employees understand workplace conduct better.

    • Evaluate the effectiveness of the POSH policy, Internal Committee Constitution, response to statutory notices, annual report submissions and awareness programmes.
    • Conduct preliminary audits: Online assessment through a set of questions that will be shared with organisation for identifying the effectiveness of the framework and highlight any gaps, if any.
    • Conduct detailed audits: With the help of focus group discussions and review of policies and procedures, we will provide a scorecard highlighting areas of improvement, risks and effectiveness of the existing framework.

    • Assist in investigation support, including forensic imaging and review of electronic data submitted by the complainant and/or respondent
    • Support with documentation, maintaining records and drafting enquires/final reports for each ICC investigation
    • Provide dedicated POSH compliance advisory expert assistance for a fixed period of time/ on secondment basis.
    • Help in conducting investigative interviews with complainant/respondent.

    • Help create policy that addresses requirements as per the POSH Act 2013
    • Ensure revision in POSH policy framework by creating/updating oganisation policy relevant with the new working space (remote/virtual)
    • Assist in creation of policies inclusive of men, women and LGBTQ to address harassment
    • Introduce Code of Conduct guidelines for sensitisation of behaviour duing virtual call/connects

    Prevention of sexual harassment in the modern working world
    POSH

    Prevention of sexual harassment in the modern working world

    Grant Thornton Bharat offers comprehensive support in POSH compliance advisory, including investigations and training, to help you establish a workplace that is safe and secure.

    Prevention of Sexual Harassment: Re-designing your policy for the new normal
    Webinar

    Prevention of Sexual Harassment: Re-designing your policy for the new normal

    Watch the webinar to understand how organisations can develop inclusive POSH processes and policies for a hybrid working space.

    Watch now