Towards Equal
Workplaces
The Vishaka Guidelines,
1997 and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,
Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 both place responsibility
for the safety of women in the workplace in the hands of
their employers. Both the Guidelines and the current law
require companies to have a clear policy, to communicate
the policy and to create an environment of awareness around
workplace sexual harassment. Over time, Prajnya has become
a part of this journey towards equal and inclusive workplaces
through our intervention at several points.
1. Workplace Sexual
Harassment Policy Reviews: We read existing policy
documents and offer feedback on the extent to which they
comply with Indian laws.
2. Drafting of
Workplace Sexual Harassment Policy: We prepare draft
policies.
3. Constitution
of the Internal Complaints Committee: The law requires
that every company put together an Internal Complaints Committee
which must have one outside member who is either a lawyer,
a social worker or from an NGO. We maintain a roster through
which we help companies identify suitable members to meet
this requirement.
4. Training programmes:
We have offered three kinds of workplace sexual harassment-related
training.
a. An introductory
module that focuses on what constitutes workplace sexual
harassment and organization and individual responses to
it.
b. Customised sessions
on interpersonal skills and building confidence.
c. Training sessions designed to help HR managers and others
in the organization build on our work through follow-up
programmes.
We do charge a fee
for most of these services. If
you would like to discuss this further with us, please email
us at [email protected].