Labour & Service

🛡️Tamil Nadu Issues SOP for Implementation of PoSH Act

June 24, 2025

G.O. No. 64 (18th June 2025)

The Government of Tamil Nadu has taken a significant step forward in ensuring women’s safety at workplaces by releasing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 — commonly known as the PoSH Act. This initiative, outlined in G.O. (Ms.) No. 64, dated 18.06.2025, aims to streamline prevention and redressal mechanisms across all establishments in the state.

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📘 Background

The PoSH Act, 2013 was enacted to protect women from sexual harassment at their workplaces. However, more than a decade since its introduction, many employers and institutions still lack clarity on its practical implementation. This SOP addresses such challenges by providing a comprehensive framework for the effective enforcement of the Act in Tamil Nadu.

🎯 Objectives of the SOP

To eliminate confusion about responsibilities under the PoSH Act.
To standardize procedures for grievance redressal and workplace safety.
To ensure that all departments and establishments effectively prevent and address incidents of sexual harassment.

🏢 Who Must Comply?

The SOP applies to:

All government departments and local authorities
Private companies and NGOs
Educational institutions, hospitals, entertainment units
Unorganised sectors like domestic workers and agricultural labor
Online workplaces and remote employees

👥 Key Stakeholders

The SOP identifies a wide range of responsible authorities:

Employers and HR Heads
District Collectors (District Officers under the Act)
Social Welfare Department
Labour Department
NGOs
Block Development Officers, Revenue Officials, Local Committees

🔐 Prevention Measures Required from Employers

According to Section 19 of the PoSH Act, employers must:

Create a gender-sensitive workplace with no hostile environment.
Frame a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment.
Provide regular awareness and induction training.
Establish clearly defined, transparent internal complaint mechanisms.
Form an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in every office location with 50% women representation.

🧾 Filing a Complaint

Who Can File?

The aggrieved woman.
Authorized third parties (e.g. friend, co-worker, NGO) with written consent.
Legal heirs, in case of the woman’s demise.

Timeline:

Complaint must be filed within 3 months (extendable to 6 months in certain cases).

🧑‍⚖️ Inquiry Procedure

Conciliation (Optional) – Only if requested by the aggrieved woman.
Formal Inquiry – Must be concluded within 90 days.
Interim Measures – Transfer, leave, or protection from retaliation can be recommended.
Final Report – ICC/LC will submit findings with recommended actions or penalties.

⚖️ Penalties & Legal Action

For Employers:

₹50,000 for:

Not forming ICC
Not filing annual report
Ignoring ICC recommendations

For repeat violations:

Up to ₹1 lakh + license cancellation

For False Complaints:

Only after proven malicious intent and with reasoned findings.

📅 Mandatory Annual Reporting

Every employer must file an Annual Report to the District Officer by 31st January of each year, covering:

Number of complaints received and resolved
Cases pending over 90 days
Awareness programs conducted
Action taken by the management

🌐 Significance

With the issuance of this SOP, Tamil Nadu becomes one of the few states in India to institutionalize the implementation of the PoSH Act through an official government order. This proactive approach:

Boosts compliance among employers
Encourages women to report grievances
Promotes safe and inclusive workspaces

📌 Final Thoughts

This SOP is not just a compliance checklist — it’s a moral and social commitment towards protecting women in the workplace. Every employer in Tamil Nadu, irrespective of size or sector, is now expected to be well-versed with this SOP and act in full alignment with the PoSH Act, 2013.

🔎 Keywords:

PoSH Act Tamil Nadu, G.O. No. 64 2025, PoSH SOP Tamil Nadu, ICC Formation Guidelines, Sexual Harassment Workplace India, PoSH Annual Report Format, Employer duties under PoSH, PoSH Tamil Nadu PDF, Workplace harassment complaint procedure