In an evolving and changing corporate culture, it is essential not only to meet the legal obligation of creating a workplace free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination, but also to foster an environment of trust, inclusivity, and productivity. POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) training is an example of an organizational initiative aimed at ensuring employees have the ethical standards of behavior necessary to comply with their policies.
Understanding the significance of POSH training and its impact on corporate culture is a crucial undertaking for employees, HR professionals, and employers. Here is a further exploration of POSH training for employees need to be aware of.
What is POSH training?
POSH training is the formal learning approach to support employees in understanding how to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. It provides employees with the opportunity to gain knowledge, tools, and resources to identify inappropriate behaviors, respond appropriately, and support other employees who are victims of harassment. The objective of such training is a zero tolerance for harassment, and the ability for employees to work in the safest and supportive environment possible.
In many countries, including India, POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) training is a legal requirement, not just a recommendation. The Indian Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 states that any organisation with more than 10 employees must conduct regular POSH training. This training is necessary because it enables employees to understand their rights and duties, and it also allows employers to construct grievance redressal processes that are visible and understandable.
The Importance of POSH Training in Corporate Contexts
Compliance
As discussed above, for large organisations, the primary reason for implementing POSH training is to ensure compliance with legal regulations. That need not only include training but also a range of regulations that depend on the jurisdiction, as well as repercussions involving sanctions and fines, or at the very least a reputational threat that can be damaging to the conduct of business. Compliant businesses, which include ICOs and other ethical companies, typically recognize the seriousness of these imperatives but remain extremely vulnerable without sufficient safeguards in place. Conformity training is specifically provided for recognised derogation or disrepute and utilitarian gain.
Safe Work Environments
Harassment can take on many different forms in work environments, including both verbal and physical abuse. Providing a clear, structured, and consistent approach to POSH in corporate environments offers educational value and a basis for recognizing how different types of potential harassment can lead to workplace incidents, introducing avenues for prevention. Therefore, it should be properly implemented and not exploited to lure employees into workplace disputes. Similarly, healthy work environments are necessary for employee happiness, retention, and productivity.
Promoting Gender Equality
POSH training can help promote gender equality in the workplace. For example, it can educate staff on behaviors and the reinforcement of respect for all individuals, regardless of gender; these initiatives were developed to create an environment that promotes gender equality and inclusion.
Encouraging Employee Voice
POSH training empowers employees to trust their instincts and speak up if they witness or experience harassment. Employees will know the best way to report their experience and will understand their complaint will be taken seriously and addressed appropriately (in a confidential manner).
Establishing Organizational Culture
A basic POSH Policy establishes a culture of respect and trust within an organization. If an employee can feel comfortable (because they know their employer is taking gender harassment issues seriously), there is an increased sense of safety, which in turn makes them feel valued. These positive emotions lead to increased comfort and satisfaction, and often create lifelong loyalty among employees.
What Employees Should Know Regarding POSH Training
1. Knowing What Sexual Harassment Means
Sexual harassment is more than just inappropriate touching or physical advances. Sexual harassment also includes verbal abuse, gestures, and harassment that occurs online. During POSH training, employees will be educated on forms of harassment, which include the following:
Quid Pro Quo Harassment: Where having a job-related benefit (salary, job, promotion, etc.) is tied to sexual favours.
Hostile Work Environment: Harassment that leads to intimidating, offensive, or uncomfortable conditions in the form of unwanted behaviour.
Previously, it was exclusive to the office; however, there is nothing exclusive about social media or online forums. With the increase in remote work and digital communications, it is crucial to recognize how harassment can extend beyond the workplace.
Moreover, employees need to know that the harassment can come from any person in the organization, whether that person is a superior, co-worker, or even a client. Therefore, it is essential for everyone to understand what constitutes inappropriate behaviour and the actions that are considered unacceptable. Knowing these two aspects is important across all channels and forms and from all persons.
2. Reporting and the Internal Committee
One of the significant aspects of POSH training is to ensure that employees are not only familiar with the reporting mechanisms available to them, but also understand the importance of being able to report. Most organizations will have an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), which is responsible for investigating complaints of sexual harassment and ensuring fair and impartial resolution.
POSH training explains to employees the importance of reporting in a timely manner and the details they will need to have when filing a complaint. POSH also explains to employees their rights to confidentiality and protections from retaliation when they report, which alleviates the fear of victimization that employees may feel before reporting harassment.
3. Rights and Responsibilities of Employees
Employees are entitled to a workplace free of harassment or intimidation. POSH training not only informs the employee of their rights, but also lays out their responsibilities in the workplace, like:
Fundamental to all interpersonal relationships is respect for the individual. This means realizing there are personal boundaries and privacy.
An understanding of one’s actions and their impact on people.
Responsibility as a participant in the establishment of a respectful workplace culture.
Bystander intervention is encouraged; employees should recognize when they see inappropriate behavior and intervene, even when they are not directly impacted.
4. Why POSH Certification is Important
POSH certification is the formal validation that an employee or organization has completed the required POSH training. For organizations, receiving POSH certification is a demonstrative commitment to creating a workplace free from harassment. For an employee, receiving certification is a promise to not only prevent harassment but also act as a steward of a safe workplace.
For individuals, receiving certification as a POSH steward is also a worthwhile professional credential, demonstrating that the employee is committed to ethical behavior and workplace safety. This certification ensures compliance with regulatory obligations by the employee and/or organization, fostering a culture of shared accountability and mutual respect.
5. The Responsibilities of Employers in POSH Training
While it is imperative for employees to receive POSH training, it is also essential for employers to ensure the training is effective and results in real, measurable change. Employers can:
Ensure training is completed on a continual basis and covers a broad range of examples.
Clearly establish a zero-tolerance harassment policy and ensure it is applied uniformly throughout the organization.
Ensure there is a clear avenue for nominees to report any complaints of harassment and allow a reasonable amount of time for an organization to conduct a proper investigation.
Encourage employees who express values of respect and trust and attempt to discuss complex and sensitive workplace issues within a non-reprisal environment.
Although it is easy for employers to view POSH training as a bare minimum compliance requirement, it is crucial for creating a workplace built on respect, trust, and worker safety. As employers diversify their workforce, there will be increasing challenges and scrutiny on how companies demonstrate inclusion and a commitment to ethical standards in the workplace. POSH in corporate workplaces has been, and will continue to be, an ongoing real concern.
If companies provide comprehensive POSH training and employees fully understand their rights and responsibilities, a company can start to develop a positive work experience where every employee feels valued and safe.
Now is the time for organizations and employees to take action. Companies should proactively provide complete POSH training, and employees should actively seek to understand and exercise their rights and responsibilities. By embracing POSH training, organizations foster a culture of inclusion and safety, moving beyond mere compliance towards true progress. Let us commit today to make every workplace respectful, ethical, and safe for all.
By providing comprehensive POSH training to employees, employers have given their employees the ability to know, understand, and access their rights and responsibilities regarding when they believe they have experienced and/or been the subject of harassing behaviours in the workplace.
Santosh Kumar is a Professional SEO and Blogger, With the help of this blog he is trying to share top 10 lists, facts, entertainment news from India and all around the world.
