What Non-Compliance means for a Company

Earlier, acts of sexual harassment at the workplace were often made invisible or labelled as void and nullified, ingrained within workplace conventions. These instances typically involved a female executive being bothered by a male executive (often the boss), who would pass lewd comments or create uncomfortable situations in the office. Compare this with today, where things have changed for the better with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (commonly known as the PoSH Act), which seeks to create a safe and secure work environment.

Consequences of Workplace Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment at the workplace can take many forms, such as indecent jokes, innuendos, ogling, inappropriate remarks, offensive pictures, text messages, etc. The challenge is that some organisations still dismiss this behaviour as harmless, while others fail to distinguish between a compliment and sexual harassment. These incidents generally lead to a cycle of suppression for women; they risk losing their jobs and reputations if they speak up or face repeated sexual harassment if they remain silent. The result is low morale, lack of motivation, underperformance, and absenteeism, which further contribute to a hostile work environment.

Why Compliance with the PoSH Act is Essential

Thanks to the new law, organisations can no longer ignore workplace sexual harassment. It is their responsibility to ensure the safety of all women, whether employed in their premises or coming in contact with other people within their premises. The Act mandates strict adherence to policies, along with educating employees about the nature of such sexual harassment through PoSH compliance training. It also requires the establishment of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC/IC) and ensures that employees are aware of the complaint procedure. Failure of organisations to comply can lead to serious consequences of non-compliance, such as monetary penalties, imprisonment, or even closure of the business.

Beyond legal action, non-compliance can also damage an organisation’s reputation. When women employees feel unsafe, they may choose to resign, leading to the loss of skilled employees and higher costs for hiring and training new staff. Such compliance violations harm both workplace culture and business growth. While laws act as external enforcers, real change must come from within. Sensitisation helps foster that change in mindset. Sexual harassment can occur in any organisation, but women today have the law to support and safeguard their interests.

Familiarity with tools like the SHe-Box Portal further empowers female employees to take action and ensures transparency in the complaint process.

Conclusion

With Complykaro as your partner for PoSH training and compliance, ICC/IC training, instructor-led PoSH sessions, and end-to-end compliance support, your organisation can go beyond legal obligations to foster a truly safe and respectful workplace. Non-compliance in business can damage reputation, employee retention, and overall performance, whereas legal compliance for organisations builds trust and stability. Contact us today to make your workplace safe and PoSH compliant.