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.
6th December 2024 | Issue No. 59
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars! In this section, we highlight an upcoming event you won't want to miss.
As we observe the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, we renew our pledge to build safer and inclusive workspaces. Therefore, we have brought back our offering of the DEIB Foundational Workshop. If you’re a beginner in the DEIB space, our workshop is the right next step in your journey to build safe and accessible workspaces. Register now!
Equip your organization for a safer workplace with our SCORM-compliant POSH e-learning modules, tailored for employees, HR professionals, managers, and IC members. Covering key topics under POSH law, our modules are customizable to your needs. Schedule a demo today!
With the year winding down and compliance requirements ahead, we’ve scheduled a specialized MOP session on December 20th for Internal Committee (IC) members. This session will cover key areas such as the roles and responsibilities of the IC, guidelines for handling complaints, conducting inquiries, and the importance of confidentiality. We will also explore the legal framework, including the powers of the IC, and best practices for conciliation and inquiry. Join us to deepen your understanding and ensure an effective, compliant IC process.
As the year ends and compliance requirements approach, we’ve organized a tailored MOP session on December 20th, specifically for employees. The session will focus on crucial topics such as understanding sexual harassment, its forms and types, and the distinction between workplace and sexual harassment. Additionally, we will cover the procedure for filing complaints, maintaining confidentiality, and fostering a healthy work environment. Join us to enhance your awareness and contribute to a safer, compliant workplace.
In the Spotlight!
Explore ways to build your knowledge and capacity with our team of in-house experts!
This World AIDS Day we brought you a nuanced understanding of the groups vulnerable to HIV / AIDS. We explored risk factors, and systemic gaps in accessing care. Of course, we brought you a primer in how to foster allyship towards persons with HIV / AIDS, especially from the workplace context. Read more here.
On 3rd December, as we celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we trained the spotlight on disabled women. We examined the cracks that make disabled women vulnerable to violence, and looked at the different ways in which it can manifest. Additionally, we looked at what can support look like for disabled women.
Inclusion at Work explored why airports can be inaccessible spaces for disabled flyers. We looked at the possible systemic gaps that translate into lack of facilities for disabled flyers. We tried to reenvision how we can shift the culture to make airports and air travel more accessible for disabled passengers. To know more, read here.
We are thrilled to share the valuable feedback from our POSH Train the Trainer Certification Workshop held on November 29-30. Participant insights drive us to continuously refine and adapt our workshops, ensuring they remain impactful and evolve with changing needs.
Stay Current!
~ Spotlighting Landmark Judgments since passing of the Law!
I - LEGAL UPDATES
The Supreme Court, citing serious deficiencies in private sector compliance with the POSH Act, issued comprehensive guidelines on December 3, 2024, to ensure effective implementation. Key directives include appointing district and nodal officers, creating Local Committees, updating SHeBox portals, ensuring IC formation, and providing legal aid for aggrieved women.
The Madras High Court upheld the conviction of a man for sexually abusing his stepdaughter, urging strict laws and severe punishments for such crimes by family or close friends. It emphasized awareness programs, protection homes, and proactive Child Welfare Committee actions to address and prevent such heinous offenses against children.
II - Exploring Intersections
The Supreme Court criticized the lack of gender sensitivity in judicial administration after two female judges were terminated for poor performance, despite one facing personal crises like a miscarriage and unresolved complaints. Justice Nagarathna remarked, “I wish men have menstruation. Then they will know what it is,” emphasizing fairness and gender sensitivity in evaluations.
Gender-based violence isn’t always obvious or easy to detect. Hidden forms of abuse can be just as damaging as overt physical or verbal attacks, often eroding the victim’s confidence, causing self-doubt, or instilling fear and helplessness. Women and girls, due to ingrained societal power dynamics and gender expectations, are particularly vulnerable to both visible and subtle types of harm. This includes manipulative tactics like gaslighting, which make them question their perception of reality. Click on the link to read more.
At Inclusion at Work, broke down the layers of Natal Family Violence that many in the LGBTQIA+ community face. We looked at the roots of the issue, its manifestations and impact. We also laid down some guidelines as to what can allies and organizations do to help in the context of natal family violence. To know more, read here.
Engage with us!
Here's your weekly food for thought through a Fun Fact or Quiz.
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.
Here’s all the tools you need to build safe and equitable workspaces!
Drop us a Hey, to get started!
