Updated on January 11, 2025 11:03:40 AM
The Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013, is a scheme that aims to create a morally sound workplace by combating sexual harassment in organizations all over India. The POSH Act is a law with mandatory compliance that requires organizations to submit an annual return to the District Officer. The return is a comprehensive report which contains the details including the number of sexual harassment complaints received, the actions that were taken to deal with these complaints, the preventive measures that were put in place as well as the whole picture of the workplace safety initiatives.
This guide conducts a comprehensive examination of the process of filing the annual POSH return in Uttar Pradesh, including the filing requirements, the necessary steps, the deadlines, the difficulties that may arise, and the recommendations.
In short, one of the annual POSH Returns filing in Uttar Pradesh is a mandatory exercise that proves the workplace is safe and is taking steps to prevent sexual harassment. Through the compliance of these rules, the organizations are enabling the development of a respectful as well as a safe workspace for their employees.
Legal Mandate to Submit POSH Annual Return Regarding Section 21 of the POSH Act, 2013: Under this section, every employer who has 10 or more employees in such establishment is mandated to submit an annual report with information on complaints filed and received and disposed of during the calendar year. Essentially, the steps taken regarding sexual harassment in the workplace, awareness-measuring programs conducted, and other initiatives undertaken within the organization at all workplaces to prevent sexual harassment.
The return must contain a summary of complaints, resolutions, and actions taken by the Internal Committee for the year, with regard to training sessions conducted to sensitize employees, the return must be furnished to the designated District Officer of the jurisdiction in which the organization is operating.
The key components of POSH Annual Return Filing encompass the following:
The annual POSH return can be tricky for someone new to such a return. For one end, one can pursue an easy way to understand it in a few simplified steps:
All data related to complaints should be collected, such as dates, responses, resolutions, and pending cases. Report the training, awareness programs, or any other activities related to POSH conducted throughout the year.
Represent everything in a simple structured report that provides details regarding each resolved or pending complaint. Make sure sensitive information, such as the complainant or respondent's identities, is protected and anonymized while complying with guidelines.
Double-check facts for accuracy and completeness before submission. Coherently report all actions taken by the IC regarding complaints, and specify all pending matters.
The report will be submitted to the concerned District Officer of the state/the government (most likely, appointed by the state). Since submission deadlines vary, organizations should clarify such aspects with their local District Officer.
It is the filing of the POSH Annual Return that matters most, as there are several key reasons for its significance of which are beyond compliance. Here is why it is vital:
The procedure for filing the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) annual return is fraught with problems an organization needs to overcome to achieve compliance smoothly.
The submission of the POSH Annual Return is a compliance obligation for all organizations in Uttar Pradesh, which have 10 or more employees. Through this comprehensive and fact-checked return, the organization would prove willingness to provide a harassment-free workplace and protect their rights as employees. Documentation and confidentiality issues do sometimes crop up along with issues of awareness, but best practices such as digital tools, regular training, and detailed record-keeping can overcome all these issues.
At Professional Utilities, we leverage our industry knowledge and expertise to help businesses navigate complex regulations, minimize risks, and optimize operations for maximum efficiency and profitability.
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POSH annual return filing is the mandatory procedure under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013. Every organization having 10 or more employees has to file an annual report containing complaints of sexual harassment, actions taken, and preventive measures adopted during the year.
All organizations in Uttar Pradesh with ten or more employees, whether private, public, or not-for-profit organizations, are subject to the POSH Act to prepare and furnish the annual return under POSH.
The annual return must also contain total complaints, actions taken, complaints resolved, training and awareness programs conducted, and status regarding compliance with the POSH Act.
Generally, the filing deadline for the POSH annual return is usually by 31st March every year as it follows the calendar year. However, refer to the District Officer for determining any variation in the local areas.
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