The school held its yearly POSH session that refamiliarises team members on creating a safe
work environment that is inclusive and respectful of all its workers. The training was
conducted by Dr. Nidhi Marwah from POSHCA, an NGO. To allow a full understanding of the
topics discussed, Dr. Nidhi communicated in both English and Hindi for the benefit of the
entire staff including the auxilliary team members.
The talk took the team through a history of the POSH Act and the circumstances that made
its creation necessary. When the legal mechanism for workplace offenses can stretch out to
many years, this legislation allows for efficient resolution in a timely manner for everyone
involved.
Through case studies, roleplays, videos and explanatory slides, Dr. Nidhi emphasised the
need to be mindful of the boundaries implicitly or explicitly so that the workplace is a
welcome setting for all. Taking the session further, she spoke of the updated definition of the
workplace that also includes online meetings and time spent between colleagues outside
office hours away from the physical premises. She then introduced the assembled staff to
the school’s existing Internal Committee (IC) that should be approached in case of any
complaints. She guided the team through the process through which the IC addresses
complaints and how their involvement is not intended to be simply punitive but
preventative.
Finally, Dr. Nidhi fielded questions from curious staff members who sought further
clarification on concerns about how workers in unorganised sectors can be protected by the
law and what responsibilities or limitations an IC must keep in mind. As always, it was a
thoroughly informative session that acted as a refresher for the team in an effort to continue
maintaining a healthy work culture.