POSH FAQ
What is POSH?
POSH stands for Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the workplace.
The POSH Act, 2013 was introduced by the Government of India to ensure that every woman can work in an environment free from sexual harassment.
At Happify, we extend the spirit of this law to everyone — helping organizations foster safe, gender-neutral, and respectful spaces for all employees.
Who is protected under the POSH Act in India?
The POSH Act primarily protects women employees, whether they are full-time, part-time, interns, or consultants.
At Happify, we believe that respect and dignity at work are universal rights — so our POSH training and policies are gender-neutral, ensuring safety and inclusion for everyone in the workplace.
What types of sexual harassment are recognized under POSH?
The POSH Act covers a wide range of behaviors that can make someone feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or disrespected at work. Common types include:
Physical Harassment: Unwelcome touching, patting, or physical contact.
Verbal Harassment: Sexually suggestive jokes, comments, or remarks.
Non-Verbal Harassment: Inappropriate gestures, messages, or sharing explicit visuals.
Quid Pro Quo Harassment: Promising benefits or threatening harm in exchange for sexual favors.
Hostile Work Environment: Repeated actions that make the workplace intimidating or offensive.
Happify’s awareness programs and training modules help employees recognize, prevent, and report these behaviors with confidence and sensitivity.
What are the key objectives of the POSH Act?
Beyond addressing complaints, the POSH Act is built around four core pillars:
Prevention: Building awareness and promoting a culture of respect and inclusion.
Prohibition: Clearly outlining what constitutes sexual harassment at work.
Redressal: Ensuring a fair, confidential, and supportive process for complaint resolution.
Empowerment: Encouraging all employees, especially women, to work with confidence and dignity.
At Happify, we make these objectives come alive through training, guidance, and actionable policies that empower workplaces to thrive safely.
Who is responsible for preparing the POSH Annual Report?
The Internal Committee (IC) — also known as the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) — is responsible for compiling and submitting the POSH Annual Report each year.
It includes details of complaints received, resolved, pending, and awareness programs conducted.
Happify supports your IC with ready-to-use templates, compliance checklists, and expert guidance — making reporting simple and stress-free.
What is the format of the POSH Annual Report?
The report format depends on the State Authority’s notification. Each state may issue its own guidelines.
However, every report must:
Be submitted with a cover letter on company letterhead.
Be signed by the Presiding Officer of the Internal Committee.
Include the company seal for authenticity.
Happify ensures your report meets the right format, follows the latest rules, and gets filed on time.
What is the deadline to file the POSH Annual Report?
The deadline may vary by state, but organizations are encouraged to file the report by January 31st each year to stay compliant.
Happify helps you track deadlines, prepare documents, and file proactively — so you never miss a compliance date.
What happens if the POSH Annual Report is not submitted on time?
Not filing the report can lead to non-compliance, resulting in penalties up to ₹50,000. Repeated delays may invite stricter action, including suspension of the business license.
Happify ensures this never happens — we help you stay ahead, compliant, and confident year after year.
What kind of support is available to employees who file a POSH complaint?
Employees are protected and supported throughout the process. Key safeguards include:
Confidentiality: The complaint and identities remain private.
Protection Against Retaliation: No negative action can be taken against the complainant.
Emotional Support: Access to counselling or guidance when needed.
Interim Relief: Measures like reassignment, leave, or schedule changes may be offered.
Happify ensures every complaint is handled with empathy, fairness, and care.
What is an Internal Committee (IC)?
An Internal Committee is a legally mandated body that every organization with 10 or more employees must establish to handle sexual harassment complaints.
It includes:
A Presiding Officer (Chairperson)
Two employee members with social or legal awareness
One External Member from an NGO or legal background
Happify provides training and certification programs for IC members to help them handle cases fairly and confidently.
What is the role of the External Member in the IC?
The External Member ensures that every complaint is handled fairly and without internal bias.
They:
Guide the IC in policy creation, training, and inquiries
Ensure natural justice and gender sensitivity
Help maintain documentation and compliance
Advise on POSH best practices
At Happify, we work closely with experienced external members to ensure every IC functions with integrity and professionalism.
What is Happify’s POSH e-Learning Module?
Our POSH e-Learning program makes awareness engaging, interactive, and practical.
It includes two self-paced modules:
Employee Module:
Builds awareness about POSH laws, respectful behavior, and reporting mechanisms through real-world examples, visuals, and interactive content.
Manager Module:
Focuses on handling complaints fairly, being non-judgmental, and creating an inclusive culture. It includes realistic scenarios and role-based learning.
How long are the e-Learning modules?
Employee Module: ~60 minutes
Manager Module: ~45 minutes
Each session is self-paced, so learners can complete it comfortably at their convenience.
What makes Happify’s POSH e-Learning unique?
Our modules are:
Self-paced and interactive
Gender-neutral and inclusive
Packed with real-life examples and activities
Designed to ensure complete learner engagement Scalable with dashboards, analytics, and reporting tools
Accessible 24/7 across devices
Learning compliance has never been this simple — or this engaging!
Who can benefit from Happify’s POSH e-Learning?
Anyone — from startups to large enterprises, government departments to educational institutions — can benefit.
Our modules suit every industry, including IT, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, and education.
Is the training available in regional languages?
Currently, our modules are in English, but regional language versions are in development to make learning more accessible across India.
Will learners receive a certificate and handout?
Absolutely!
Every learner receives a Course Completion Certificate and a downloadable handout summarizing key concepts for future reference.
What if I face technical issues during training?
No worries! You can reach our support team anytime at help@happify.com — we’re here to help you complete your learning journey smoothly.
What are the advantages of Happify’s POSH e-Learning?
Mobile-friendly and accessible anytime
Interactive and visually engaging
Improves retention and awareness
Cost-effective and scalable
Supports consistent company-wide learning
How can I track employee progress or completion?
With Happify’s HR Dashboard, admins can:
View real-time reports
Track completion by department or role
Download analytics in Excel or PDF
Send reminders and monitor progress
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