In today’s dynamic and openly inclusive work landscape, an organisation’s commitment to a safe and respectful environment is more crucial than ever. And stating that doesn’t make it someone else’s responsibility… It makes it the responsibility of you, your team, your colleagues, your company, your visitors—in fact, everyone who touches your working world.
And when you get it right… there’s a lot of upside to enjoy!
So, what are we talking about here? When you prioritise a safe and respectful environment, you not only boost employee morale but also improve productivity and your business reputation. Creating a safe and inclusive environment isn’t just about having a policy—it’s a strategic move that fosters a positive organisational culture and ensures the well-being of every team member, which in turn boosts business success.
What’s this got to do with POSH – Prevention of Sexual Harassment?
Ensuring compliance with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act is a critical step towards achieving a safe and respectful environment. The POSH Act is designed to provide a secure workplace for everyone, but primarily women. It’s designed to generate awareness of POSH law and act as a warning to organizations who do not comply that they risk severe penalties.
As an Act, it mandates organizations to implement measures to prevent sexual harassment and establish effective redressal mechanisms. Understanding and adhering to this act is vital for fostering a workplace where everyone feels protected and respected.
So, with that said, let’s explore how embracing POSH compliance can lead to a healthier work culture and better business outcomes for you.
What is the POSH Act?
The Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, aims to create a safe and secure work environment for all employees, especially women, and to prevent and address sexual harassment. This law mandates all organisations, public or private, with ten or more employees, regardless of their size, to implement measures to prevent sexual harassment and provide a redressal mechanism for complaints.
Why is POSH compliance important for your organisation?
POSH compliance is critical to organizations for many reasons, and it benefits both your employees and your organisation at the same time.
Here are some key reasons why adhering to POSH compliance and maintaining a zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment is essential…
You Have a Legal Obligation: Non-compliance with the POSH Act can result in substantial legal penalties, including fines up to INR 50,000 for a first-time offence and the potential loss of your business licence for repeat violations. Courts may also impose significant compensation payments for failing to adhere to POSH requirements.
A Safe Work Environment Is Good: The Act aims to create a safe and secure workplace for all employees, particularly women. By enforcing the POSH Act, your organization can demonstrate its commitment to protecting employees from harassment and foster a more inclusive and respectful work culture too. And don’t forget, ensuring that all your employees feel safe, respected, and valued is crucial for boosting morale and enhancing productivity.
It Boosts Employee Morale and Trust: When employees know that their company takes sexual harassment seriously and has clear policies and procedures in place, it builds trust. Employees are more likely to feel valued, secure, and motivated, leading to higher morale and productivity.
Your Company Reputation Matters: Demonstrating your commitment to POSH compliance strengthens your company’s reputation among employees, clients, stakeholders, and within the industry. A positive image in this regard can attract top talent and build stronger business relationships. It also helps in addressing issues internally before they escalate.
Aligned Corporate Social Responsibility: The POSH Act aligns with broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals, ensuring that your organisation not only focuses on profit but also on ethical practices and the well-being of your employees.
Promotes Gender Equality: By addressing and preventing sexual harassment, the POSH Act helps you promote gender equality in your workplace, ensuring that all employees have equal opportunities to succeed without fear of discrimination or harassment.
Measures you must take to stay POSH compliant
To effectively ensure compliance with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act and create a safe, respectful workplace, you need to implement specific measures.
Here’s how you can stay POSH compliant…
Draft a Comprehensive POSH Policy: Develop and implement a clear policy on the prevention of sexual harassment. This policy should outline what constitutes sexual harassment, employee rights, and the procedures for filing and addressing complaints.
Constitute an Internal Committee (IC): Form an Internal Committee to handle sexual harassment complaints. Ensure the committee includes diverse members and complies with legal requirements, such as having at least half its members be women.
Provide Required Training: Conduct training sessions for both employees and IC members. This training should cover the POSH Act, your company’s policy, and effective methods for preventing and addressing harassment. Plus, your IC training must train committee members to do non-biased investigation.
Report Complaints Annually: Submit an annual report detailing the number of sexual harassment complaints received and their resolution status. Basically, it provides information on the steps that you have taken to comply with the provisions of the POSH Act. This report must be submitted to the district officer responsible for your district.
What happens if you don’t file an annual POSH report?
Failing to file an annual POSH report can lead to significant consequences. The District Officer may issue a notice demanding the report or impose a penalty of up to INR 50,000, depending on the specifics of the case.
Additionally, non-compliance can harm your organisation’s reputation and negatively impact employee morale and trust. Timely filing of the POSH annual report is crucial for preventing and addressing sexual harassment.
The benefits of POSH training
POSH training provides numerous benefits for organisations, including…
Enhanced Awareness: Employees become more aware of what constitutes inappropriate behaviour and their rights under the law.
Improved Reporting Mechanisms: A clear understanding of the complaint mechanism encourages victims to come forward.
Fostering a Respectful Culture: Regular training fosters a culture of respect, making the workplace safer for everyone.
Legal Protection: Proper training and compliance help protect your organisation from legal repercussions.
Why Choose SkillUp for effective POSH training?
SkillUp understands that ensuring POSH compliance can seem daunting. Many people are concerned about the time and effort it will require.
However, with the importance that SkillUp places itself on a healthy work environment, the business understands the challenges and is here to make the process as smooth and effective as possible for other organisations.
SkillUp’s tailored POSH training solutions are designed to be both engaging and informative, helping your employees understand the importance of a safe workplace and their role in upholding it. With their support, you can navigate POSH compliance confidently and create a more respectful and secure environment for everyone in your organisation.
SkillUp POSH Training…
Is Expert-Led: The courses are expert-led to ensure your team is well-informed and equipped to maintain a respectful and inclusive workplace.
Goes Beyond Compliance: The training aligns with the latest legal guidelines and industry best practices, helping you not just meet compliance standards but exceed them. Industry leaders like Microsoft have partnered with SkillUp to elevate their compliance to exemplary levels.
Provides Tailored Solutions: SkillUp offers POSH training solutions in multiple regional languages, making compliance accessible across your diverse workforce. Whether you are a multinational corporation or a growing business, the platform adapts to your unique needs and scales effortlessly.
Is Online, Interactive and Practical: Enables your employees to engage with relatable examples and practical situations. The training modules are designed to meet your compliance needs without straining your budget. And because it can be online, you don’t have to worry about staff taking time to travel and incurring additional costs.
Enables User-Friendly Management: Enables you to administer and oversee your training programs with ease, making the process smooth for everyone involved. The detailed course material helps you track progress and ensures thorough understanding and completion.
Invest in your people, invest in your success
By prioritising employee well-being and fostering a safe work environment, you are investing in the future of your organisation.
When you partner with SkillUp, you are taking a critical step toward elevating your workplace culture and safeguarding your organisation’s future. The tailored POSH training solutions empower your team, mitigate risks, and align with industry best practices.
Mamta Sahai
Subject Matter Expert & Coach
Mamta Sahai is an experienced social worker, trainer, thought leader, and influencer in India’s POSH space.
For 20 years she has championed issues related to women and children and is a current member of several organizational ICC Committees in both the private and public sectors.
In 2000, she founded her own NGO, Savera Social Welfare Society, which actively works for the empowerment of women and children.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mamta-sahai-84207831/
