1. Legal Requirement

Under Section 19(c) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), every employer is legally mandated to organize workshops and awareness programmes at regular intervals for employees and to sensitize members of the Internal Committee (IC) on the provisions of the Act.

This is not a mere formality — it is a statutory duty to ensure prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace.

 2. Objective of Training and Sensitisation

The primary aim of POSH training and awareness is prevention through education. It helps in:

• Creating a respectful and safe work culture.
• Ensuring that employees understand what constitutes sexual harassment.
• Educating employees on how to report incidents safely and confidentially.
• Equipping IC members to handle complaints professionally and fairly.
• Demonstrating the organization’s commitment to gender equality and compliance.

3. Types of Training and Sensitisation

Training under POSH can be broadly divided into two categories:

(A) Employee Awareness and Sensitisation Sessions

Conducted for all employees, irrespective of gender or designation.

Focus on:

• Definition and examples of sexual harassment (as per Section 2(n) of the Act).
• Rights and responsibilities of employees.
• Complaint mechanism and IC’s role.
• Respectful workplace conduct and bystander intervention.

Format:

• Orientation during onboarding.
• Quarterly or bi-annual refresher sessions.
• Posters, newsletters, and e-learning modules.

(B) Training for Internal Committee (IC) Members

• Specialized sessions for IC members to enhance their legal and procedural understanding.
• Should include:
• Legal framework of the POSH Act and Rules.
• Steps of inquiry, report writing, and evidence evaluation.
• Principles of natural justice.
• Confidentiality and record-keeping norms.
• Handling sensitive cases and avoiding bias.

Format:

• Annual or half-yearly workshops.
• Case-study based sessions led by external experts or legal professionals.

4. Frequency and Mode

• Frequency: At least once or twice a year for employees and annually for IC members.
• Mode: Online (webinars, e-modules) or Offline (in-person workshops).
• Documentation: Maintain attendance records, feedback forms, training content, and trainer details as evidence of compliance.

5. Benefits of Regular POSH Training

• Legal Compliance: Ensures the organization meets its statutory duties under Section 19(c).
• Employee Awareness: Helps employees recognize and report inappropriate conduct.
• Reduction in Incidents: Creates deterrence through awareness and peer accountability.
• Improved Work Culture: Fosters inclusivity, mutual respect, and safety.
• Reputation Management: Reinforces the company’s commitment to ethics and gender equality.

6. Best Practices for Effective POSH Training

• Engage qualified external trainers (lawyers or certified POSH consultants).
• Use real-life case studies and interactive discussions instead of lectures.
• Include anonymous Q&A sessions to encourage open dialogue.
• Ensure leadership participation to set the tone from the top.
• Review and update training content annually based on latest judgments or amendments.

7. Documentation for Compliance

• For every training session, maintain the following records:
• Date and duration of session
• List of participants (with signatures or digital confirmations)
• Name and credentials of trainer(s)
• Summary of content/topics covered
• Feedback or assessment results
• These documents may be required during audits or while filing the Annual Report under Section 21 of the Act.

Summary

Particular	Details
Legal Provision	Section 19(c), POSH Act, 2013
Objective	To educate employees and equip IC members for effective redressal
Types	Employee Awareness Sessions & IC Member Training
Frequency	Once or twice a year (employees); annually (IC members)
Mode	Online or Offline (interactive workshops preferred)
Benefits	Compliance, prevention, safe workplace, enhanced reputation
Evidence of Compliance	Attendance, materials, trainer details, feedback reports