A persistent point of concern for leadership teams and IC members alike is the potential misuse of the POSH framework. Section 14 of the POSH Act addresses this by detailing provisions for false or malicious complaints, as well as forged evidence. However, applying Section 14 requires a sharp, uncompromising distinction between a malicious complaint and an unsubstantiated complaint. An unsubstantiated complaint occurs when the IC completes its inquiry and concludes that the evidence provided does not cross the threshold of probability required to prove the allegation. Inability to prove a claim does not automatically mean the claim was false. Memory gaps, lack of third-party corroboration, or evidentiary ambiguities often result in an unsubstantiated finding without any dishonest intent by the complainant. A malicious complaint , on the other hand, requires affirmative proof of bad faith and conscious deception. To recommend action under Section 14, the IC must establish ...
Constitution of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the POSH Act: Roles, Structure, and Responsibilities
The Prevention of Sexual Harassment ( POSH ) Act, 2013, was enacted to address workplace sexual harassment in India and mandates every organization to establish an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). The ICC plays a pivotal role in ensuring a safe and harassment-free work environment. Its primary responsibility is to investigate complaints of sexual harassment, ensure a fair inquiry, and recommend appropriate action. In this article, we will explore the structure, composition, and responsibilities of the ICC, along with the legal requirements governing its formation and operation. 1. Legal Mandate for the ICC under the POSH Act Under the POSH Act, every employer is legally required to establish an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in the workplace to handle complaints of sexual harassment. This obligation applies to any organization with 10 or more employees. The ICC must be constituted at every branch or office location where the employee headcount meets this threshold. Failure to ...