Silver Oak Health will provide a qualified External Committee Member for your company’s POSH Internal Committee.
Under the POSH Act it is mandatory to have an External Committee Member empanelled in the Internal Committee that does not belong to the organization. The purpose of including a non-employee in the Committee is that such an outsider will act as a neutral, impartial and expert member of the ICC and to rule out any bias or prejudice against any party.
What are the qualifications of an External Member?
Should have knowledge and experience in POSH Compliance
Someone who has experience in dealing with sexual harassment issues
Should understand the process and procedures to be followed during the course of inquiry
Should be someone who understands the evolution and evaluation of evidence and witnesses
Someone who knows what kind of documents are to be procured for conducting investigation
Someone who understands the work culture of the organization
Someone who has gender neutral mindset and making sure that the EM does not have any gender bias
Someone who can advise the IC about the POSH Act, civil laws, criminal laws, employment laws and labour laws, and services rules
Someone who is current with judicial decisions and notifications, has knowledge of amendments, its applications and implications
What services should one expect from EM?
EM should facilitate the organization in constituting the IC and ensure that all the documentation are properly maintained
EM should be able to review the POSH policy of the organization and provide appropriate guidance and if required formulate new POSH Policy
Organize and conduct employee awareness sessions, HR Manager trainings, Leadership team awareness and training sessions and Internal Committee capacity building training and workshops
Hold IC meetings periodically
On receipt of any complaints, guide and facilitate the IC to follow through the proper redressal process that are transparent, objective oriented and facilitate bias free inquiry
Assist the IC in preparing and submitting the inquiry report and making appropriate recommendations
Follow the timelines strictly during inquiry
EM should make sure that the IC submits timely annual compliance reports to the appropriate authorities.