A Ready Reckoner - Your Guide to a
Safe and Respectful Workplace
PREVENTION OF SEXUAL
HARASSMENT ACT (POSH) of 2013
Safety and respect at the workplace
• We spend a big part of our lives—80,000 to 90,000
hours—at work.
• Understanding consent and respecting boundaries
keeps the workplace safe for you and everyone else.
• The POSH Act (2013) and Indian Penal Code (IPC)
offers protection against sexual harassment at work.
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual Harassment is any unwelcome behaviour that
makes one feel uncomfortable. Sexual harassment is:
Unreciprocated Offensive
Humiliating Intimidating
Sexual
At Quess, even Male employees can complain if they feel sexually harassed.
DID YOU KNOW?
Even if there was an attempt to touch it is still
punishable!
Complaint Box
[email protected]
What is not sexual harassment
These are punishable offences too.
Write to
[email protected] if you are facing any
other form of harassment.
Where can
harassment
happen?
Online Platforms
Facebook/
WhatsApp/
Official Instagram/
Events videos or photos
During a trip or Verbal
even while Over phone
travelling to calls or during
work face-to-face
meetings
Client / Colleague or a
vendor Managers
locations house
Office /
Physical work
environment
Red flags at
work
Asking for sexual
favours
Leaning close to or
touching without
permission Whistling, ogling,
Making inappropriate making kissing sound,
sexual comments/ winking, leering, etc
asking personal
questions
Forcing a
colleague to go
Sending dirty or sexual on a date
photos/messages over
SMS, WhatsApp or
email/social media
Spreading
rumours
DID YOU KNOW?
False complaints are punishable!
Who can file a complaint
Any aggreived person who has been sexually harassed can complain.
Where can I file a sexual harassment complaint?
Write a letter/ email to or approach a
IC member.
When can I make a complaint?
You can file a complaint immediately after the incident or a
maximum of 3 months from the incident
Who takes care of the complaints
The Internal committee or IC takes care of all sexual harassment
complaints. The IC has the power of a civil court to conduct inquiry
and punish offenders.
What powers does IC have?
• IC can ensure confidentiality and offer protection from
retaliation
• Fair and transparent inquiry process
• Punishment according to the service rules
Punishment for the
offender can be :
Oral Written Suspension Change of
warning warning from work location /
office
Demotion/
Change of with Imprisonment/
Termination
job role` holding Fine
promotion
§ INTENT does not matter. IMPACT does!
§ Noone can get away saying, "I did not mean it"!
Recognising & preventing sexual harassment
§ Do not feel guilty, it is NOT your fault
IF YOU ARE A § If in doubt, talk to someone you trust
VICTIM § If you want to complaint, mail to
[email protected] § Offer your support
IF YOU ARE A § Encourage victim to complain
WITNESS § You can also send
a mail to
[email protected] to complain
§ If you have shown unwelcome behavior/harassed
IF YOU ARE A anyone knowingly or knowingly, STOP immediately
§ Apologise sincerely
HARASSER
§ If the victim still complains, respect her decision and
cooperate to conduct the inquiry
Some important questions
§ What if your manager is harassing you or you do not want to approach your
manager or what if the customer is harassing you?
o Mail to
[email protected].
§ How do you make a complaint?
o Send a complaint directly to
[email protected] always. If you
know the client’s IC / ethics committee, mark a copy to them.
§ What do I do if there is an EMERGENCY?
o If it is an EMERGENCY then press the button in the Hamara
HR app
§ Can I report on behalf of a colleague / friend?
o Yes, you can. It is important to support each other.
§ Can I send an anonymous complaint?
o No, reach out to whistle-blower ID if you do not want to disclose your
identity.
REMEMBER! Always prioritize your
safety.
Speak up if something feels wrong.
