Under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, every employer with 10 or more employees must constitute an Internal Committee (IC) with an external member, adopt a POSH policy, conduct awareness programmes, inquire into complaints within prescribed timelines, and file an annual report. Non-compliance attracts penalties up to Rs 50,000.
Internal Committee
- Presiding officer: senior woman employee
- At least two employee members
- One external member from an NGO or expert
- At least half women members
Employer duties
- Adopt and display policy.
- Train employees and IC members.
- Provide safe workplace.
- Act on IC recommendations.
- File annual report.
Complaint process
Complaint within three months of incident, conciliation if requested, inquiry within 90 days, and report within 10 days of completion.
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Get expert help →Smaller employers
Complaints from workplaces with fewer than 10 employees go to the Local Committee.
Frequently asked questions
Does POSH apply to startups?
Yes, once they have 10 or more employees, including interns and contractors in many interpretations.
Is the Act gender-neutral?
The Act protects women; many companies adopt gender-neutral policies voluntarily.
Is remote work covered?
The workplace definition is broad and can include places visited during employment and virtual settings.
What is in the annual report?
Number of complaints received, disposed, pending, and awareness activities.
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