The Equilibrio Gazette
A brief bulletin for building safe workspaces!
This weekly newsletter is your gateway to staying current on relevant
laws (like POSH, POCSO, Transgender Persons Act, etc.) and the
psychosocial intersections that impact the workplace.
16th August 2024 / Issue No. 43
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars! In this section, we highlight an upcoming event you won't want to miss.
Enhance your knowledge of how
caste and disability intersect with
workplace marginalization in our
Level 2 of DEIB course. This 10-hour
program dives into critical areas,
including deconstructing the
complexities of disability (with a
focus on neurodiversity) and caste,
understanding various forms of
violence, and exploring the laws that
protect these groups. You’ll also
learn strategies to reshape
organizational culture for true
inclusion. Register now to sign up for
this course.
We have our monthly meeting on
23rd August 2024, from 03:00 –
04:00 pm IST for our POSHequili
clients and IC members. Facilitated
by Prerana Saraf and Lakshita Bhati,
the session will focus on the role of
managers in POSH complaints and
inquiries, covering confidentiality,
support, and best practices during
investigations.
In the Spotlight!
Explore ways to build your knowledge and capacity with our team of in-house experts!
The tragic rape and murder of a
female doctor in Kolkata highlights
the urgent need for strict
enforcement of the POSH Act.
Employers must go beyond legal
compliance to create a culture of
respect and zero tolerance for
harassment. This incident calls for
reevaluating safety protocols, regular
training, and proactive measures to
protect employees.
We launched our first-ever DEIB
certification course last week! This
week, we had a very insightful
session with our guest speaker,
Ashish Sawhny. We heard an
account of his lived experience, his
coming out story, and the evolution
of the professional space and media
regarding acceptance. We also
learned about forms of violence
related to gender and sexuality.
Samriti Makkar Midha, Co-founder of
Equilibrio Advisory LLP, recently
conducted an awareness session
with students at a management
school, focusing on the prevention of
sexual harassment in residential
institutions and the applicability of
POSH Law. The session also
oriented the incoming batch on the
redressal mechanisms available to
them.
Stay Current!
~ Spotlighting Landmark Judgments since passing of the Law!
I - LEGAL UPDATES
The Supreme Court is considering
requiring States and UTs to create
online dashboards detailing Internal
Committees (ICs) under the POSH
Act. This follows concerns about ICs
not being properly constituted, with
some led by men against statutory
requirements. The Court aims to
ensure transparency and effective
implementation of the POSH Act.
The Orissa High Court ruled that a
government employee who became
a mother through surrogacy is
entitled to maternity leave. The court
found that the term “maternity”
should include surrogacy, as denying
leave would be discriminatory and
violate constitutional rights. The
ruling ensures equal treatment for all
mothers.
The Calcutta High Court ruled that
both male and female government
employees should be entitled to
childcare leave, emphasizing equal
parental responsibilities. A widower
sought extended leave similar to
female employees, arguing that the
current 30-day leave for men was
insufficient. The Court directed the
government to reconsider and
ensure gender equality in leave
policies.
II - Exploring Intersections
Sexual harassment in the medical
field uniquely affects female doctors,
who face unwelcome advances,
comments, and assault from patients
and supervisors. This harassment
harms their mental health, job
performance, and patient care
quality. Urgent action is needed from
hospital administrations, including
awareness programs, internal
committees, and security measures,
to ensure a safe and respectful
workplace.
Quid pro quo harassment involves a
power imbalance where someone in
authority demands sexual favors in
exchange for professional benefits,
such as promotions or job security.
This form of harassment is
particularly insidious, creating a
hostile work environment and
causing emotional distress for the
targeted individual. Addressing it
requires clear policies and effective
reporting mechanisms.
Engage with us!
Here's your weekly food for thought through a Fun Fact or Quiz.
According to the 2022 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, India
recorded a staggering 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women, averaging 51
cases every hour. This includes various offenses such as sexual assault,
domestic violence, and harassment. Among these, there were 248 cases of
murder with rape and gang rape. Globally, the United Nations reports that
approximately 1 in 3 women have experienced physical or sexual violence in
their lifetime, highlighting that violence against women is a pervasive issue
requiring urgent, worldwide action and support.
Have a burning question about POSH? Maybe Mental Health at Work, Child safety or DEI&B strategies? Drop us an email with your query and we would love to answer it, in all seriousness.
Curious Cat: What is Quiet Quitting?
Answer: Quiet quitting, a trend popular among Gen Z employees, involves
doing only the minimum required tasks and avoiding extra work without formally
resigning. This approach reflects dissatisfaction or burnout and emphasizes a
desire for work-life balance and recognition. It signals the need for
organizations to address underlying issues and support their employees
effectively.
Here’s all the tools you need to build safe and equitable workspaces!
Drop us a Hey, to get started!
