The Internal Committee (IC) serves as an organizationÔÇÖs institutional adjudicator for handling complaints of sexual harassment. The integrity, competence, and fairness of the IC determine whether employees trust the grievance mechanism.
Key Mandates of an Internal Committee
- Receiving & Assessing Complaints: Ensuring complaints are registered with absolute confidentiality and processed within statutory timelines.
- Facilitating Conciliation: Where requested by the aggrieved individual (strictly non-monetary), facilitating formal settlement discussions.
- Conducting Objective Inquiries: Gathering statements, examining documentary and digital evidence, and upholding principles of Natural Justice.
- Submitting Reasoned Reports: Drafting comprehensive inquiry reports with specific recommendations for management action.
The Need for Specialized Training
IC members are rarely legal experts by background; they are HR leaders, department heads, and employee representatives. Regular orientation ensures they understand questioning techniques, trauma sensitivity, and balanced evidence evaluation.
