The POSH Act, 2013 applies to all organisations — including NGOs, trusts, cooperative societies, and social welfare organisations. The Act does not exempt non-profits, charities, or mission-driven organisations. Any organisation with 10 or more employees — including volunteers who receive regular payment or stipends, in some circumstances — must comply.
FIO Foundation understands the NGO ecosystem deeply. Our own work is rooted in social impact. We provide POSH training and compliance services for NGOs at fair, accessible pricing — without compromising on legal rigour.
Why POSH Compliance Matters Especially for NGOs
NGOs often work in areas that make workplace safety even more important — gender rights, child protection, community development, mental health. An NGO that does not have a functioning IC, or where sexual harassment allegations are suppressed because of mission pressure, faces unique harms:
- Loss of trust from funders, especially international donors who now require POSH compliance in grant conditions
- Reputational damage that undermines the organisation's work in the community
- Legal exposure for the Founder/Executive Director as the "employer" under the Act
- Staff retention loss — safe workplaces attract and keep committed people
The External Member Opportunity for NGOs
NGOs are also eligible to provide external IC members to other organisations under Section 4(2)(c) of the POSH Act. An NGO committed to the cause of women can serve as the external member for a company's IC — which is exactly what FIO Foundation does. If your NGO has trained staff with POSH expertise, this can also become a revenue stream.
Services for NGOs
- POSH Employee Awareness Training (affordable NGO pricing)
- IC Formation and Training for NGO staff
- External Member services — FIO Foundation serving as your IC external member
- POSH Policy drafting and review
- Helpline access and Annual Report support
- Donor-compliance documentation guidance
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
Our NGO has only 8 employees — do we still need an IC?+
Below 10 employees you fall under the Local Committee's jurisdiction rather than needing your own IC. You still have employer-side duties (policy, awareness, complaint forwarding). We can guide you on what applies.
Are donors really asking for POSH compliance?+
Yes — increasingly. International donors and several major Indian funders now require POSH compliance documentation as part of grant conditions and due diligence.
Is the Founder/Executive Director personally liable?+
The Act treats the "employer" as responsible for compliance. In an NGO, this typically means the Founder, Executive Director or governing body. Non-compliance creates personal exposure for that role.
Do you offer NGO-friendly pricing?+
Yes. We have tailored packages for NGOs that respect mission budgets while still delivering legally rigorous training and documentation.
Can our NGO become an external IC member for companies?+
Yes — if your NGO is committed to the cause of women and has staff with POSH expertise. FIO Foundation does exactly this. We can also guide other NGOs through how to offer this service.
Book POSH Compliance for Your NGO
Kerala's POSH Act specialists. Call us, WhatsApp us, or write to us.