PoSH

Verbal harassment under PoSH includes sexual remarks, jokes, propositions, threats & sexist slurs that create hostile or intimidating environments.

Like Roman foundations, effective training requires layered, regular reinforcement: policy review, scenario drills & leadership modelling – not one-off lectures.

PoSH covers digital harassment: inappropriate messages/calls, cyberstalking, non-consensual image sharing & gendered abuse via work platforms.

Sweetie/”beta” etc. become harassment when unwelcome, infantilising or undermining professionalism. Context & recipient reaction define appropriateness.

Colleagues should offer support without prying, respect confidentiality, and share factual testimony if they witnessed events. They must never victim-blame.

The IC Presiding Officer must actively steer inquiries, ensure procedural fairness, manage dynamics & uphold PoSH’s spirit – not merely rubber-stamp decisions.