POSH Internal Committee (IC) Training in Kerala

What Is the Internal Committee?

The Internal Committee (IC) is the designated body under the POSH Act responsible for receiving and resolving complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace. The IC functions as a quasi-judicial authority with powers similar to a civil court for the limited purpose of inquiry — including summoning witnesses and requiring production of documents (Section 11(3), POSH Act, 2013).

The IC is not an HR helpdesk. It is a legal body. Every decision it makes — from acknowledging a complaint to drafting the inquiry report — must follow the principles of natural justice and the specific procedures laid down in the POSH Act and Rules.

Who Must Be on the IC?

As per Section 4(2) of the POSH Act, the IC must have the following members, nominated in writing by the employer:

• Presiding Officer: A woman employed at a senior level at the workplace
• At least two Employee Members: Preferably committed to the cause of women or with experience in social work or legal knowledge
• One External Member: From an NGO or association committed to women's rights, or a person with legal knowledge or experience in dealing with sexual harassment cases

Important: At least one-half of all IC members must be women.

Each member serves for a term of up to three years (Section 4(3)). After three years, new appointment orders must be issued — even if the same members are continuing. Failure to reconstitute attracts the risk of proceedings being challenged.

Why IC Training Is Non-Negotiable

Untrained IC members are one of the most common reasons POSH inquiries are challenged in court. Courts have set aside entire proceedings because of procedural errors — wrong composition, biased conduct, failure to share inquiry reports, or breach of confidentiality.

IC training ensures your committee:

• Understands the full complaint-to-closure process
• Follows principles of natural justice in every inquiry
• Completes inquiries within the 90-day statutory timeline (Section 11(4))
• Submits inquiry reports to all parties within 10 days of completion (Section 13(1))
• Maintains complete confidentiality under Section 16
• Prepares and submits the Annual Report under Section 21

What FIO Foundation's IC Training Covers

Module 1 — The Law and Your Mandate

POSH Act provisions, IC constitution requirements, member roles, term limits, and the external member's distinct role.

Module 2 — What Counts as Sexual Harassment

Types of sexual harassment under the Act — physical, verbal, visual, written, and digital. Understanding quid pro quo and hostile environment harassment. Real-case illustrations.

Module 3 — Receiving and Processing a Complaint

How to receive a written complaint. The 3-month limitation period for filing (Section 9). Circumstances for extending limitation. Conciliation as an option before inquiry (Section 10 — with the critical note that no monetary settlement can be the basis of conciliation).

Module 4 — Conducting a Legally Sound Inquiry

Principles of natural justice — the right to be heard (Audi Alteram Partem) and the rule against bias (Nemo Judex in Causa Sua). Interviewing complainant, respondent, and witnesses. Documenting proceedings. Managing confidentiality.

Module 5 — Interim Relief

The IC's power to recommend interim measures: transferring the complainant or respondent to another workplace, granting leave of up to three months (in addition to regular entitlement), or restraining the respondent from reporting on the complainant's performance.

Module 6 — Inquiry Report and Recommendations

Drafting the inquiry report. Submitting findings to the employer within 10 days of inquiry completion (Section 13(1)). Recommendations for disciplinary action or compensation. The employer's obligation to act within 60 days.

Module 7 — Annual Reporting

Preparing the IC Annual Report under Section 21. What it must contain (per Rule 14): complaints received, disposed of, pending over 90 days, workshops conducted, nature of action taken. Submission to employer and District Officer — typically by 31 January each year.

Module 8 — Practical Exercises

Complaint-handling simulations, inquiry role-plays, documentation practice, and a mock Annual Report exercise.

What IC Members Walk Away With

• Full clarity on their legal role and personal obligations
• A step-by-step complaint-handling process map
• Documentation templates: acknowledgement letter, interim relief order, inquiry notice, inquiry report format
• Certificate of Participation (which can be filed with the Annual Report as evidence of training)
• Access to FIO Foundation's post-training WhatsApp helpline

Training Formats

• In-Person: Half-day (4 hours) or full-day (6–8 hours) sessions at your location across all 14 Kerala districts
• Online: Live sessions via Zoom or Google Meet — fully interactive, not pre-recorded
• Language: Malayalam or English medium
• Group size: 4 to 30 participants

Related POSH Services in Kerala

Frequently Asked Questions