What Is It and Who Can Use It?
Workplace sexual harassment can be difficult to report, particularly when a woman is unsure where to approach or how to initiate the complaint process.
To make reporting more accessible, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, launched the revamped SHe-Box portal.
What Is SHe-Box?
SHe-Box stands for Sexual Harassment electronic Box. It is a centralised online platform that enables women to register workplace sexual harassment complaints and track their progress.
The portal also serves as a central repository of information about Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees (LCs) across government and private workplaces.
Who Can Use SHe-Box?
The portal is intended for women reporting sexual harassment at the workplace, irrespective of whether they work in the public or private sector or in organised or unorganised settings.
The POSH Act, 2013, is not limited to permanent employees. Depending on the circumstances, its protection may extend to women working as employees, trainees, apprentices, contractual workers and others co
vered by the Act.
Is SHe-Box the Same as an Internal Committee?
No.
SHe-Box is a digital reporting platform. The IC or LC is the statutory mechanism responsible for dealing with complaints under the POSH framework, as applicable.
The portal facilitates access to the complaint mechanism; it does not replace the statutory inquiry process or the responsibilities of the relevant authorities.
Why Is SHe-Box Important?
The portal can help by providing:
- Online access to register workplace sexual harassment complaints.
- Routing of complaints to the relevant IC or LC.
- Facilities to track complaint status.
- Centralised information about statutory committees.
What Should Organisations Remember?
SHe-Box does not replace an employer’s obligations under the POSH Act.
Organisations must continue to fulfil their applicable statutory duties, including constituting the required IC, conducting awareness programmes, displaying relevant information, maintaining confidentiality and ensuring that complaints are dealt with through the prescribed process.
The Key Takeaway
SHe-Box makes reporting more accessible, but it does not replace the POSH process.
A safe workplace requires more than a complaint mechanism. It requires awareness, accessibility, confidentiality and effective implementation of the law.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general awareness and should not be treated as legal advice.