The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 continues alongside the Codes.
- Internal Committee (s. 4): required at every office or branch with 10 or more employees. Its members are:
- a senior woman employee as the Presiding Officer;
- at least two employees committed to the cause of women;
- one external member from an NGO or a person familiar with the issues. At least half the members are women, and they serve for up to three years.
- Complaint: within three months of the incident, extendable by three months. The inquiry is completed within 90 days. The report is given within 10 days of completion. The employer acts on it within 60 days.
- Employer's duties (s. 19):
- a safe working environment;
- display the penal consequences and the order constituting the Committee;
- hold workshops and awareness programmes;
- help the complainant if she wants to file a police complaint.
- Annual report (s. 21 and Rule 14): the Committee prepares a report each calendar year and gives it to the employer and the District Officer. It states:
- the number of complaints received;
- the number disposed of;
- cases pending for more than 90 days;
- workshops and awareness programmes held;
- the nature of action taken.
- Company Board's report: a company states the complaints received, disposed of and pending under the POSH Act.
- Penalty: up to ₹50,000. It is doubled for a repeat offence, with possible cancellation of licence.
The HR desk keeps the committee, prints the order and notice, and prepares the annual report.
Last reviewed 17-10-2026. General information, not legal advice for a specific case. Check the latest Act, Rules and notifications of the appropriate government before acting.