POSH Awareness: Women Safety & Workplace Boundaries
Learn about the POSH Act 2013, sexual harassment prevention, the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), and how to report misconduct using the SHe-BOX portal.
Understanding Boundaries at Work
Women Safety & POSH Awareness Session
February, 2026
Srutisma Hazarika | External Member - Internal Committee | Legal Professional & POSH Trainer
What is POSH?
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
Enacted in 2013
Applies to all workplaces
Defines what sexual harassment is
Provides a proper system to report and address it
Ensures that every woman can work safely and respectfully
Why This Law Exists
Prevention
Protection
Redressal
Equal Opportunities
Safe & Dignified Workplace
Who is Covered?
Covered Women
Permanent employees
Contractual employees
Daily wage workers
Trainees / Probationers
Consultants
Women visiting the workplace in relation to work
Covered Workplaces
Office premises
Work-related travel
Offsite meetings and events
Employer-provided transport
Digital / virtual workplace
Extended areas of workplace
Who Can Harass?
Harassment can come from anyone in the workplace ecosystem.
Colleagues
Seniors
Subordinates
Vendors / Consultants
Third Parties
Guests / Clients
What is Sexual Harassment?
The keyword is 'Unwelcome' — Pattern and intent matter
Physical
Verbal
Non-Verbal
What is NOT Sexual Harassment?
Important distinctions for a fair and balanced workplace.
Professional criticism
Performance feedback
Consensual relationships
One accidental touch
Workplace disagreements
General workplace conflicts
Non-sexual workplace misconduct
Hospitality Environment
Higher Interaction, Higher Responsibility
Professional service does not mean tolerating misconduct.
Special Considerations:
Guest Interaction
Vendor Interaction
Late Shifts
Public Environment
Recognising Discomfort & Escalation
Signs of Micro-Discomfort
Uneasiness
"Something feels off"
Confusion
"Am I overreacting?"
Avoidance
"Steering clear of someone"
Pressure to Respond
"Feeling forced to engage"
Escalation Patterns
Friendly comment
Personal remark
Repeated messaging
Emotional pressure
Threat or manipulation
Gaslighting:
When someone makes you question your own experience.
What to Do?
You are not alone. You will be heard and protected.
Stay Calm
Prioritise your safety first
Speak Up
Express discomfort if it is safe to do so
Contact IC / HR
Reach out to an IC member or HR
Maintain Confidentiality
Do not discuss widely
Know Your Protection
You are protected under POSH
Act Early
Do not wait for something serious to happen
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
Structure
Mandatory for every organisation with 10+ employees
Neutral and Independent
Receives Written Complaints
Process
Conducts Fair Inquiry
Quasi-Judicial Body
Takes Action Once Proved
How to File a Complaint
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
SHe-BOX Portal
Local Committee / Police
Written complaint within 3 months
Reach out to IC member or HR
Strict confidentiality maintained
Online complaint system
Visit: shebox.wcd.gov.in
Complaint forwarded to authority
Official tracking number generated
For unorganised sector
Local committee handles
Police complaint as an option
Filing on SHe-BOX: Step by Step
shebox.wcd.gov.in — Ministry of Women & Child Development
Visit SHe-BOX
Visit shebox.wcd.gov.in
Register
Click 'Register Your Complaint'
Category
Choose Government or Private Employee
Details
Fill required details & submit
Confirm
Confirm via email link
Track Status
Track your complaint status
Complaint Number is generated — keep it safe.
Boundaries Are Not Rude.
They Are Respectful.
A Safe Workplace Is Everyone's Responsibility.
Thank You
Srutisma Hazarika
External Member — Internal Committee
Legal Professional & POSH Trainer
- posh-awareness
- women-safety
- workplace-ethics
- legal-compliance
- icc-committee
- she-box
- hr-training