POSH Awareness Training_ Steps to Ensure Compliance and Safety

1. The workplace culture of respect, safety, and equality is essential in the present working environment. However, sexual harassment continues to prevail and affects people and organizations alike negatively. To counter this, the Government of India enacted the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. referred to as the POSH Act. The POSH Act provides a framework on how to prevent sexual harassment and confront such incidents at the workplace and, therefore, places a responsibility on employers not to allow such harassment or abuse to employees. Therefore, practical POSH awareness training for implementation is critical to comply with the POSH Act. This training also informs employees of sexual harassment and provides a safer space for understanding the rights and responsibilities of everyone in the workplace. Any organization’s ability to succeed in preventing workplace harassment is entirely based on how much

2. it commits to educative training of employees through POSH awareness training. Table of Contents What is POSH Awareness Training? Why is it Important? Key Elements of an Effective POSH Training Program Mode of POSH Training: Classroom vs. Online Training Contact Us POSH awareness training is critical in creating a respectful, inclusive workplace. What is POSH Awareness Training? POSH awareness training is designed to inform and educate employees about sexual harassment, its implications, and the steps they can take to prevent and address it. The primary goal is to foster a culture of respect and equality by ensuring that all employees understand the legal definition of sexual harassment, their rights as employees, and the steps they must take if they are subjected to or witness any form of harassment. The POSH Act states that all types of organizations, be they small or large, need to train their employees about the rights and liabilities of sexual

3. harassment. This process helps sensitize the working environment and, therefore, enlightens the employees’ minds about unacceptable behavior in the workplace. It further ensures that no employee is ill-equipped to ward off harassment and that any occurrence is reported safely and with confidentiality. Awareness training on POSH empowers the employees at both levels, namely understanding how it is working in the workplace of the respective organization and how they shall be filing their harassment complaints. And it should be an extended, full coverage of the said Act, which, once in six or one year, would suffice. Why is it Important? 1.The most important for compliance with the Laws The most significant reason for having POSH awareness training is the need to comply with the POSH Act. Non-compliance with the law may bring about serious legal consequences for the organization. A first-time offense attracts a fine of up to INR 50,000, and the business license is canceled in case of repeated offenses. This can cause long-term damage. A lack of POSH awareness programs can result in a loss of trust from the employees, increase absenteeism, and even lead to legal battles. Companies must be law-abiding to avoid legal penalties and make the workplace free from sexual harassment and respectful. The requirements of the Act are straightforward: an organization should engage in affirmative action to prevent sexual harassment and educate their

4. employees on how to perform the process. 2.Protection and Empowerment of Employees The POSH Act is aimed at protecting women employees from harassment in the workplace, but its reach extends beyond women alone. Sexual harassment can affect anyone, and training helps create an inclusive culture where all employees know their rights and the procedures for filing complaints. Most workplace employees may not know whether a particular behavior is regarded as sexual harassment. They may remain silent against such behavior because they fear retaliation or public embarrassment. POSH awareness training clarifies all doubts about what behaviors are unacceptable. Moreover, it will ensure that employees are aware of how they can report incidents of harassment and the measures they can take to protect themselves and their colleagues. It enables employees to be aware of their legal rights and mechanisms for reporting harassment, making POSH awareness training a safe space where workers are not fearful of standing up for themselves. 3.Better Workplace Culture and Productivity A harassment-free workplace is a factor in employees’ well-being. When tolerated, harassment can produce a toxic workplace, reducing workers’

5. morale and increasing turnover rates. Employees who don’t feel safe or supported disengage, harming the organization’s productivity. POSH awareness training prevents sexual harassment by raising awareness and educating employees to promote a healthy, inclusive workplace culture. Employees feel respected and protected, and there is a likelihood that they will be engaged, productive, and loyal to the organization. It, in turn, boosts the organization’s overall performance and reduces turnover. 4.Safeguarding the Company’s Reputation In today’s digital age, incidents of harassment spread like wildfire. Social media sites are the most potent medium for spreading news and quickly reaching millions. A single harassment case can cause irreparable damage to an organization’s reputation, which may cause it to lose customers and partners. Regular POSH awareness training proves that the organization is committed to providing a safe and respectful workplace for all its employees. This helps improve employee engagement while maintaining the company’s reputation in the public eye. Organizations implementing POSH training programs can use this as evidence of their efforts to prevent harassment in the event of a claim. It may save the company from significant complications, and financial implications. reputational damage, legal Key Elements of an Effective POSH Training Program The awareness training by POSH will be directed at the organization, and leadership and employees’ needs will vary accordingly. The core concepts to be part of any wholesome POSH training will be given under:

6. 1.Foundation for All Employees As a principle and policy, POSH needs essential awareness of everyone, in rank and sex, in an organization: it shall consider covering key essentials under its program, like, ● What sexual harassment entails: This comprises illustrations of verbal, physical, and visual harassment that workers should be conversant with. ● The rights of the complainant and respondent: Workers ought to understand the rights of complainants and respondents.

7. ● Reporting and complaining: This includes the complaint filing process, with whom to report, and how the organization will process the confidential complaint. The role of the Internal Committee (IC) should be stated to the employees so that they know how the committee handles grievances and the burden of investigating incident harassment. Strategies to be used in averting harassment—The training should emphasize strategies for aversion, including how to stop inappropriate behavior at work. Employees should know whether they can participate in stopping other employees from engaging in harassment. ● Penalties in case of a false complaint retaliation: the personnel must be given the respective penalty for making a fictitious report or retaliating against a respondent who reported acts of sexual harassment. Each worker will be empowered with the relevant capacity to identify, avert, and address sexual harassment at work under the core training. 2.Other training courses specially designed for leaders and supervisors: Managers and supervisors play a significant role in creating a safe work environment. They are often the first to know when harassment occurs, so their training needs to be more intense. POSH training for managers should cover the following:

8. ● How to handle sexual harassment complaints: A manager must learn how to document complaints and what is expected of them in cooperation with the IC during investigations. ● Providing the correct answer to complaints: Management must learn to handle victims of harassment, including how to handle sensitive situations with respect and professionalism. ● Provision of what prevents harassment: These include providing tactics for a respectable and nondiscriminatory workplace, ensuring that employees understand all company policies, and taking appropriate measures before things get out of hand. 3.Training members of the Internal Committee POSH Act requires the organization to have an internal committee (IC) with more than 10 employees to entertain harassment complaints. Thus, the IC functions are essential in investigating these complaints and ensuring that the organization adheres to the law by its actions. For this reason, it is essential to provide members of the IC with comprehensive training as follows: ● Role and Responsibilities of the IC Members: The members should clearly understand their tasks, such as conducting investigations, holding hearings, and maintaining confidentiality.

9. ● The complaint and inquiry process: There should be teaching on handling the complaints, procedures when inquiring about them, and legal requirements accompanying them. ● Distinguishing between sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination: The members of the IC must be able to distinguish between sexual harassment and other kinds of discrimination. ● The legal framework: Understanding the legal aspects of sexual harassment, the timeline for completing investigations, and the report submission process are crucial for IC members. 4.Addressing the Needs of Blue-Collar Workers Most organizations overlook the need to educate the blue-collar worker population about awareness training in POSH. The challenges differ for various employees, such as language and poor technological accessibility. It ensures that POSH training is an integrated process and that all employees learn their rights and duties under the POSH Act. They provide one of the easiest methods: Offering POSH training in a local language and format acceptable for blue-collar work, such as mobile learning or in-person workshops. This method would ensure an understanding of workers’ rights and the path they could take before getting harassed. Uncover details about business growth through POSH Compliance

10. Mode of POSH Training: Classroom vs. Online Training When choosing the mode of delivery for POSH awareness training, the organization must balance the advantages of traditional classroom training against online or eLearning. Each has its advantages, but the choice will depend mainly on the organization’s size, the spread of employees across geographies, and resources. Classroom Training Classroom training is ideal for smaller to middle-sized organizations with a consolidated workforce as it provides face-to-face interactions. Real-time discussion, role-playing, and Q&A sessions are also possible, which increases engagement. The problems may arise in the case of large or distributed teams and are more expensive in terms of time and resources. Online Training Online training is cheaper and more scalable. It can be offered to large or dispersed teams because employees can complete the training at their own pace. E-learning also caters to different learning styles by incorporating multimedia elements such as videos, quizzes, and interactive modules. Online training platforms can track progress and offer certificates, which makes it easier for HR to monitor compliance. Hybrid Approach Many organizations choose a hybrid approach, combining both classroom and online training. It allows for more personalized and interactive learning while ensuring remote employees have access to the necessary resources.

11. Making POSH Training Effective To make the POSH awareness training effective, it should go beyond just filling the legal book. Adequate training should be interesting, relevant, and accessible to all employees. Some tips to ensure POSH training is both meaningful and practical include the following: Using Real-Life Examples: Real-life scenarios and case studies go a long way in bridging the gap between theory and practice. The more workplace-specific situations employees may face, the more familiar they will feel. Case studies on different forms of harassment help employees understand what makes harassment, how it can happen, and the most effective way to deal with it. These examples will also equip employees to see warning signs and know when to act on them. Incorporate Multimedia: Adding videos, animations, and infographics can boost training productivity. Videos can dramatize real-life harassing cases, showing their effect on individuals and organizations. Animations and infographics can break down concepts into easily remembered visuals. Different learning techniques stimulate employees to remember what is critical in this training. Interactive Modules: Such modules provide opportunities for employees to practice what they have learned, thereby increasing employee engagement and enabling them to use what they’ve learned. They include interactive quizzes, role plays, and discussions, encouraging active participation and allowing employees to test their knowledge.

12. Continuing Education: POSH education cannot be a one-time event. To keep the message current and top of mind, periodic refreshers and awareness-building programs must occur in an organization. These help the employees stay updated regarding legal and best practice issues surrounding harassment prevention while fostering a continuing culture of dignity and safety. POSH awareness training is critical in creating a respectful, inclusive workplace. It ensures compliance with the law and protects employees and the organization’s reputation. With regular and comprehensive training, organizations can reduce incidences of sexual harassment, boost engagement within the employee base, and create a positive work culture. By prioritizing POSH awareness, companies demonstrate their commitment to upholding the dignity and rights of every individual in the workplace, thus contributing to a healthier, more productive environment. With over 27 years of experience in staffing and 30 years of expertise in labor law compliance, Prompt Personnel is your trusted partner for delivering high-quality PoSH awareness training. Our training programs aim to ensure organizations fully comply with the PoSH Act and create safe, respectful workplaces. Our training includes real-life scenarios and practical case studies to make it relevant and highly effective for all participants. We provide online PoSH courses and onsite corporate sessions. Our flexible training options are tailored to meet your organization’s needs. Prompt personnel has partnered with leading companies across India, ensuring PoSH compliance in all 28 states and 5 Union Territories. Our courses are informative and engaging, using multimedia, quizzes, and interactive

13. modules to reinforce key concepts and ensure the information is retained. After completion, participants earn a certificate, ensuring a certification to prove and demonstrate their responsibility to maintain harassment – free workplaces. Periodically, we remind them of various workshops and refreshing courses to continuously keep your staff well-informed and empowered; when you want to create and develop a harassing-free workplace at your organization, start by perusing our available PoSH training today. Reach out to us for more information today. FIND THE RIGHT HR PARTNER Take advantage of our HR experts, team of recruiters and labor law consultants to open avenues of growth & success for your organization. We offer Temporary Staffing, Permanent Staffing, Labour Law Compliance Management & Advisory, and many more such services. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, Prompt Personnel has the expertise to help you navigate the complexities of minimum wage compliance in India. We have branches in Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Pune to serve you better. And be sure to connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for up-to-date news and tips and let us know what’s on your mind.