Overview

Ensuring compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) is not just a legal obligation. it is a strategic imperative for all organizations aiming to foster safe, inclusive, and productive workplaces. A POSH Audit and Risk Assessment is a comprehensive, proactive review of your organization's internal policies, mechanisms, culture, and compliance status under the POSH Act.

Our POSH audit services help organizations identify compliance gaps, assess cultural risks, and strengthen preventive frameworks, enabling not only legal protection but also trust and transparency across the workplace.

Legal Pre-requisites Under the POSH Act

Every organization (private, public, NGO, educational institution, etc.) with 10 or more employees must:

  • Constitute an Internal Committee (IC) as per Section 4 of the Act.
  • Display POSH policy and rights of women at prominent places in the office.
  • Conduct regular employee awareness and training sessions.
  • Submit an annual report on the number of cases received/disposed to the District Officer.
  • Ensure timely inquiry and resolution of complaints filed under the Act.
  • Maintain confidentiality and protect against retaliation during and after inquiry proceedings.

Note: Failure to comply with these requirements may lead to penalties, license cancellation, reputational damage, or worse, a hostile workplace culture.

Scope of the POSH Audit

Our POSH Audit includes a 360-degree assessment across the following areas:

Policy and Documentation Review

  • Review of POSH policy, employee handbooks, employment contracts, and SOPs
  • Assessment of clarity, accessibility, and legal sufficiency

Internal Committee (IC) Functionality Review

  • Compliance with IC constitution requirements
  • Examination of past inquiry procedures, timelines, and confidentiality safeguards
  • Training, independence, and gender representation of IC members

Complaint Handling and Redressal

  • Analysis of complaint registration mechanisms
  • Timeliness and fairness in grievance redressal
  • Maintenance of records and inquiry reports

Workplace Risk Assessment

  • Identification of high-risk areas (e.g., night shifts, field roles, isolated workspaces)
  • Analysis of employee feedback on workplace safety and inclusiveness
  • Gaps in preventive infrastructure and reporting culture

Awareness and Training Evaluation

  • Employee participation and frequency of training sessions
  • Sensitization efforts and communication strategy
  • POSH posters, reporting channels, e-learning modules (if any)

Annual Reporting & Compliance Check

  • Filing of annual report under Section 21
  • Communication with District Officer/Local Committee
  • Timely maintenance of audit logs and summary documents

Methodology

Our audit process is tailored and non-disruptive, ensuring cooperation without interfering in daily operations.

  1. Initial Consultation & Intake Meeting
    Understanding the organization's structure, size, nature of work, and past POSH implementation efforts.
  2. Document Collection & Review
    Reviewing policies, IC records, inquiry reports, employee communications, etc.
  3. Interviews and Surveys
    Confidential interactions with key stakeholders: HR, IC members, employees, and leadership.
  4. Risk Assessment & Gap Analysis
    Identifying vulnerable departments, cultural gaps, and non-compliance areas.
  5. Final Report & Recommendations
    Delivering a detailed, confidential report with observations, compliance score, and actionable recommendations.

Why POSH Audit Matters?

Avoid Legal Penalties & Litigation

Ensure proactive defence in case of complaints or regulatory inquiries.

Boost Employee Trust & Retention

A safe workplace improves morale, productivity, and loyalty.

Strengthen Employer Branding

Demonstrates commitment to ethics, equality, and workplace wellness.

Enhance Governance & ESG Ratings

Important for public companies, investors, and global clients.

Cost Overview

Pricing depends on organizational size, number of offices, and depth of audit required:

  • Small Organizations (10–50 employees): ₹15,000–₹25,000
  • Medium Organizations (51–200 employees): ₹30,000–₹50,000
  • Large Corporates or Multi-Location Entities: Custom quotes based on scope

Frequently Asked Questions

While not explicitly mandated, audits help ensure compliance and reduce the risk of penalties or litigation for non-compliance.

Yes, but external audits offer objectivity, legal insights, and credibility—especially during regulatory inquiries or court cases.

Annually or biennially is advisable. Audits are also recommended after organizational restructuring, expansion, or POSH complaints.

This is a common non-compliance issue. We help you reconstitute your IC and get it trained immediately.

Yes. For hybrid or remote workplaces, we offer fully digital POSH audit options with virtual interviews and digital documentation.