It’s that time of the year again when organizations start gearing up towards completion of their POSH compliances. While most are seriously interested, companies like ours also receive some bizarre calls and requests. Here’s one.
Anecdote 1
Caller: Someone told me that I have to conduct a POSH awareness program for my employees. Do I have to?
Me: Before I answer that, how many employees does your Organization have?
Caller: 500 or so.
Me: When did you do the last such program?
Caller: Not done any so far.
Me: Well, then you must. Your employees should be aware of the law, your policy, their rights and duties etc.
Caller: Ok. What is the quickest way?
Me: Any format or mode you use will take about 30 mins at least. A good healthy session will take around 1 – 1.5 hours.
Caller: No, I don’t want to tell them too much. Don’t want to give them ‘ideas’. They will know too much and keep filing false complaints. Just for compliance, can you give us a certificate saying session was done?
Me (perplexed): Without an actual session?
Caller: Yes.
Me (still confused): I am not sure if I can do that. That won’t be ethical right?
Caller: Does anyone check? Can’t you manage?
Me: I don’t think I can. But just out of curiosity, what is the fee you are willing to pay for this kind of a certificate?
Caller (Surprised): You’ll charge for it? I thought this will be free.
Me: No sir.
Caller: Do you know anyone who can give it for free?
Me: No sir.
Caller: Ok.
Hung up!
Yes, while non-compliance can lead to legal, financial, and reputational consequences for an organization, conducting these programs are not merely about compliance. They make a real difference if done diligently, timely and with the right set of tools.
So leaving aside obvious points like there may be legal liability and penalties and reputational damage etc., it may be beneficial to also look at some other aspects:
- Employees, partners, and customers want to know who they are working with – what is their mindset and what they feel about workplace culture.
- A culture where sexual harassment is tolerated, or complaints are not taken seriously, can lead to an actual toxic work environment
- Talented employees may leave. Some partners and customers may too.
Figures are missing but all this is also a cost. Employee awareness programs don’t lead people to complaint. They don’t give them ‘ideas’. They lead them to build and maintain positive, productive, and respectful workplaces. In case of concerns, they lead them to read policies and take informed decisions.