A POSH compliance audit is not about finding fault — it is about knowing exactly where your organisation stands before a complaint, an inspection, or a regulatory notice arrives. Following the Supreme Court's direction in Aureliano Fernandes v. State of Goa (2023, with follow-up in 2025), District Officers across India are increasingly conducting surveys and verifying POSH compliance actively, not just waiting for Annual Reports. In Kerala, enforcement scrutiny is growing across the film industry, healthcare, IT, and education sectors.
FIO Foundation's POSH Compliance Audit gives your organisation a clear, written assessment of where you comply, where you don't, and exactly what to fix.
What the Audit Covers
1. IC Constitution Review
- Is the IC constituted by a written order?
- Does the composition meet Section 4(2) requirements — senior woman as Presiding Officer, minimum two employee members, one eligible external member?
- Are at least 50% of members women?
- Are all members within their 3-year term?
- Is the IC constitution displayed at the workplace?
2. POSH Policy Review
- Does a written POSH policy exist?
- Is it legally compliant and updated?
- Is it accessible to all employees (displayed, shared, available in the chosen working language)?
- Does it correctly describe the complaint mechanism and IC contact details?
3. Training Records Review
- Has annual employee awareness training been conducted?
- Has the IC received structured training?
- Are attendance records and certificates maintained?
- Is training documented for inclusion in the Annual Report?
4. Annual Report Compliance
- Has the IC Annual Report been filed with the District Officer every year?
- Does the report include all five mandatory items under Rule 14?
- Has the employer made the required POSH disclosure in the Board's Report (for registered companies)?
5. Complaint Records Review
- Are complaint records maintained confidentially?
- If any complaints were received, were they processed within the 90-day inquiry timeline?
- Were inquiry reports shared with all parties within 10 days of completion?
- Were employer recommendations implemented within 60 days?
6. Display and Notice Requirements
- Is the IC constitution order displayed at a visible location?
- Is information about what constitutes sexual harassment and its consequences displayed at the workplace?
What You Receive
- A written Gap Analysis Report covering all six audit areas
- A clear compliance status for each item: Compliant / Partially Compliant / Non-Compliant
- A prioritised Remediation Roadmap: what to fix first, what is low-risk, what is critical
- An estimated risk assessment: what penalties or legal exposure your current gaps create
- A follow-up call with FIO Foundation to discuss the findings
Free Compliance Check vs Full Audit
- Free Compliance Check: 30-minute conversation; basic IC questions; yes/no policy check; training records not reviewed; Annual Reports not reviewed; verbal guidance — best for first-time check.
- Full Compliance Audit: 2–4 hours document review; formal review of IC constitution order; full policy document review; training records reviewed with documentation check; all Annual Report years reviewed; written Gap Report — best for pre-inspection readiness and legal due diligence.
Related POSH Services in Kerala
POSH Employee Awareness Training
Activity-based sessions for all employees in Malayalam or English. Half-day or full-day. Certificate of Participation issued.
Learn more →IC Formation & Training
Legally compliant IC setup under Section 4 of the POSH Act — appointment order, member selection, full training for Presiding Officer and members.
Learn more →External Member Services
FIO Foundation can serve as your IC's external member with year-round helpline access and inquiry support.
Learn more →POSH Compliance Audit
A thorough review of IC constitution, POSH policy, training records and Annual Report history — with a written gap report and remediation roadmap.
Learn more →POSH Policy Review & Drafting
We review or redraft your POSH policy to meet current legal requirements — English, Malayalam or bilingual.
Learn more →POSH Helpline & Case Advisory
Kerala's dedicated POSH helpline for IC members, HR teams and employers — process guidance whenever you need it.
Learn more →Frequently Asked Questions
My company has never filed an Annual Report. Is that a problem?+
Yes, this is a material compliance failure. Section 26 of the POSH Act prescribes a fine of up to ₹50,000 for a first offence, with repeat violations potentially leading to doubled penalties or cancellation of business licence. The audit will assess the exposure and recommend a remediation path.
We have an IC but have never trained the members. Are we compliant?+
Having an IC on paper but with untrained members is a significant risk. Courts have treated untrained ICs as effectively non-functional when their proceedings are challenged. The audit will flag this and recommend an immediate training plan.
How long does the audit take?+
Typically 2–4 hours, depending on how complete your existing documentation is. We review documents in advance and conduct a structured interview with your HR lead or IC Presiding Officer.
Is the free compliance check really free?+
Yes. The 30-minute compliance check is a no-cost conversation — we give you a verbal read on where you stand and the key gaps. If you want a written gap report, that is the Full Compliance Audit.
Can you audit a multi-location organisation?+
Yes. We assess each location's IC and policy compliance separately and combine findings into a single roadmap.
Request a Compliance Audit
Kerala's POSH Act specialists. Call us, WhatsApp us, or write to us.