Yes, it’s crucial to have legal requirements, employee well-being, and the company’s growth in one place for creating a safe and respectful environment. POSH certificate for organizations. The Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act, 2013, asks the company to have policies and procedures in one place to prevent sexual harassment. It also ensures that the working environment is safe for everyone. In this blog, we’ll provide a comprehensive POSH compliance checklist for employers.
Key POSH Compliance Checklist
Companies are required to follow specific guidelines to build a safe and inclusive workplace. They also need to comply with the POSH Act 2013. Here, we have a comprehensive POSH compliance checklist:
POSH Policy
A credible POSH policy is the foundation of compliance as per the POSH Act 2013. This policy must describe sexual harassment and disciplinary measures that should be followed for violations clearly. It must explain the mechanism that should be used to report it. Employees must be able to access the policy easily, either digitally through email or on their desks. Policies must be periodically checked and updated to fulfill evolving workplace demands and legal precedents. Moreover, you’re shocked to know that more than 23% of companies are not POSH compliant. It affects their credibility and brand.
Formation of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) / Internal Committee (IC)
Section 4 of the POSH Act requires every company with a workforce of 10 or more to have an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) or an Internal Committee (IC). The IC has a senior female candidate as the presiding officer, one external expert with expertise in managing company sexual harassment cases, and two internal members. Whenever an IC member receives any sexual harassment complaint, they inquire into and resolve it. For companies, it’s crucial to balance their committee in terms of gender and seniority. It helps bring trust and impartiality to the company. Businesses can conduct a POSH awareness course for every team member to make them understand everything.
Employee Awareness and Training Programs
Education and awareness among the workforce regarding a respectful culture in the company are indispensable. Such a company calls for the requirement for sensitization regarding sexual harassment and rights under the POSH Act for the workforce. The POSH online course for employees of the company should be undertaken regularly to sensitize the workforce under Section 19 © of the act. This must be regarding sexual harassment, desired behavior, and rights at the company. POSH certificates for organizations can be obtained through interactive learning solutions. Businesses must train their IC members through online courses to manage complaints sensitively and within the required time frame. Training must be conducted with proper documentation, including completion certificates, attendance records, or MIS reports that represent compliance during audits.
Compliance Management Process
Organizations must ensure they have time-bound, well-defined, compliant redressal processes. IC members must manage as per the steps mentioned in the POSH Act and also the POSH certificate for managers, so that every complaint is resolved judiciously. Businesses must add a comprehensive process for complaining, inquiring, and resolving complaints. They also need to keep all their stakeholders updated with proper follow-ups.
Record-Keeping and Documentation
Recording every point is a crucial part of POSH compliance. Companies must document all POSH-related activities, including IC member nominations and their acceptance letters, policy updates, compliant resolutions, contact details of the IC members, and details of POSH training online for the workforce and ICC members. It also consists of medium training using e-learning or instructor-led training sessions, and more.
Internal Audits and Reviews
Companies must implement regular internal audits to assess their compliance with the POSH compliance online checklist. These reviews help find gaps within your firm and ensure that effective actions are taken. With regular audits, companies can show their commitment to a safe and inclusive workplace.
Conclusion
To create a respectful, safe, and inclusive company for everyone, it’s crucial to make your firm compliant with the POSH certification course. Your company must meet the needed legal obligations and have a positive work environment by implementing a comprehensive POSH compliance process. Adhering to these requirements without the right expertise can be complicated, and that is where LiveSkills comes in. This e-skilling platform helps you empower your workforce and ensure compliance. You can take an online certification easily by visiting, enrolling in a course, completing modules, and more. Contact us to know more!
