How to conduct effective PoSH training of the employees?

PoSH training is meant to make employees aware of their rights. To act upon their rights, one must be aware of them. Training helps them understand what can be various kinds of sexual harassment in the workplace. It empowers them first with knowledge and then with ways to seek redressal. It also helps them sensitize towards this issue and help others when in need. 

PoSH training is a preventive measure given under the PoSH Act. It aims at preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. This preventative measure is a legal mandate and attracts heavy penalties if not followed. However, mere compliance with the PoSH Act is not enough for an organization rather effective PoSH compliance is necessary. 

This blog is for HR leaders and people success leaders, who ensure the implementation of PoSH policy in the workplace. To understand and overcome workplace sexual harassment complaints regularly and effective training sessions are very important. 

Get in touch with us for your PoSH Compliance

Why is PoSH training important?

PoSH training is a vital tool in creating a workplace that is safe, respectful, and legally compliant. One of the primary reasons for implementing PoSH training is to create awareness about what constitutes sexual harassment. Many employees may not fully understand the various forms of harassment, such as verbal, physical, or visual. PoSH training educates employees about these behaviors, making it easier for them to recognize and report any incidents. 

Training helps foster a safe and inclusive work environment where employees feel comfortable and respected. This empowers individuals to report incidents, ensuring that issues are addressed promptly. In India, it is mandatory for employers to organize PoSH training and awareness sessions. It helps employers meet these legal requirements and mitigate legal risks.

Moreover, by actively addressing sexual harassment through training and preventive measures, employers can protect their brand and demonstrate their commitment to ethical business practices.

Audiences and mediums of PoSH training

An organization must conduct PoSH training for all its employees- managers, members of the board, Internal Committee (IC) members, the HR team, and employees, keeping in mind their roles in the organization. While conducting training for all employees is important, it is also necessary to understand that there are various modes for conducting training sessions. Using the same tools for all groups will render the PoSH training ineffective. 

PoSH training for managers, leaders, and HR professionals

This section of team members is specifically meant to lead teams. They are also obligated to provide a safe and secure workplace environment so that their teams are able to perform well and feel a sense of safety. As they are often the first responders to such complaints, their training must enable them to effectively handle and manage such instances.

PoSH training for different roles and functions

Certainly, it is crucial to tailor training sessions according to the specific roles and responsibilities within the teams. For instance, internal roles such as administrative and operational positions primarily involve interactions within the organization. On the other hand, employees in customer and client-facing roles engage with diverse individuals in various locations, extending beyond their immediate colleagues.

Given these distinct contexts, it becomes imperative to customize training programs according to the varied roles and functions within the team. This customization ensures that the training is not only relevant but also effective, addressing the unique challenges and scenarios faced by different team members.

Also read: The Six Elements Of Effective PoSH Training

PoSH training through different mediums

Sidra Javed, Head of Growth & Content, Ungender, says: 

“What leaders need to realize is there are multiple options available for them to conduct training sessions on PoSH. It doesn’t always have to be an offline session for the content to be effective. I have spoken to more than 300 organizations at Ungender in the past year. So many leaders who I speak with talk about the challenges they face in organizing refresher sessions in person. That is why they mostly stick to annual sessions. It’s important for leaders and employers to understand that virtual sessions and e-learning modules are equally effective. What’s more, is that they’re cost and time-effective both. Mixing up different methods of sessions will also bring a breath of fresh air to employees who attend the same sessions over and over again. Leaders can also gather feedback from the employees to understand what does and doesn’t work and tailor their approach accordingly.”

There are a few modes for conducting PoSH training for your employees. Organizations must contemplate the mode of training best suited to their team’s needs. Training can be conducted in person, virtually, or through e-learning modules. 

In-person training: In-person PoSH training sessions provide a personal touch, encouraging engagement and facilitating immediate interaction with facilitators. This method allows for hands-on activities, role plays, and real-time discussions, fostering active learning. Participants benefit from direct clarification of doubts, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the training.

Virtual training: Virtual PoSH training, conducted online, offers flexibility in the modern work landscape. Participants can join from anywhere, making it accessible for remote or hybrid work setups. Interactive elements such as polls, quizzes, and videos enhance engagement. Employees can learn at their own pace, accommodating diverse schedules and ensuring a comprehensive understanding of PoSH guidelines. 

E-learning modules: E-learning modules offer a flexible and self-paced approach to PoSH training. Ungender’s e-learning modules are accessible 24/7, allowing employees to learn at their convenience. The modular format breaks down complex topics into digestible segments, promoting better understanding. Participants can progress at their own speed, ensuring thorough comprehension of PoSH guidelines. This mode accommodates busy schedules, empowering employees to integrate training seamlessly into their routine.

Induce these methods for making your training effective

Invest in an effective and efficient PoSH training program for your organization. Engaging in micro-learning sessions, and interactive and engaging content is key to making your training sessions successful. Let’s dive into them in a little more detail: 

Engage in bite-size learning: In long training sessions, it is difficult to keep the team engaged and interested throughout the training program. Long sessions also lead to poor retention. Engaging in smaller sessions that are bite-sized will help the team focus better, retain more, and learn something. 

Interactive and engaging content: To engage employees, training should be interactive and dynamic. Incorporate a variety of teaching methods such as case studies, quizzes, and Q&A games. Engaging content like animated videos helps employees better understand the complexities of sexual harassment issues.

Follow-up and accountability: Effective PoSH training goes beyond the initial sessions. Organizations should establish mechanisms for ongoing accountability. This may include regular assessments of the training’s impact, surveys to gather employee feedback, and monitoring the organization’s response to harassment reports.

Regularly updating the content: PoSH law is a dynamic legislation and it has updates regularly. It is very important to design the training material keeping in mind the legal updates. To make it relevant according to the present scenarios. This will help ensure that your training is effective and in line with the current legal requirements.

Also read: Are Your POSH Training and Awareness Activities Truly Effective?

Conclusion

PoSH training brings awareness among the employees of their legal rights. The first step towards fighting this social menace is awareness and knowledge, but this is just the first step and not the only step. Organizations must understand that it is their responsibility to provide a safe and secure workplace to their employees which provides them with the opportunity to thrive, shine and celebrate themselves. 

How can Ungender help you? 

At Ungender, our team of experts will help you create a safe workplace by developing employee-centric PoSH training. Moreover, our PoSH compliance SaaS platform, Conduct, works as your perfect guide to creating a safe workplace for your employees. On Conduct, your employees can learn uninterrupted through our interactive e-learning modules. 

Are you contemplating and exploring PoSH training for your employees at the workplace? Then get in touch with our team or connect with us at contact@ungender.in.

Author: Aarshi Katiyar is a member of the content and communication team at Ungender. Her work is driven by her understanding of the PoSH law, her writing, and her conversations with the experts in the field of PoSH and DEI.