Why Most PoSH Training Doesn't Work — And What Does

Most PoSH training in Indian organisations fails to change behaviour because it is designed to satisfy a compliance requirement rather than to develop genuine awareness.

Quick answer

Most PoSH training fails because it is designed to satisfy compliance checkboxes — slide decks and sign-off sheets — rather than build genuine awareness of ambiguous behaviours, manager responses, and Internal Committee capability.

Rupert Picardo · PoSH & Compliance · March 2026

The typical delivery — a 90-minute PowerPoint session, a sign-off sheet, an annual repetition — meets the legal threshold of the PoSH Act 2013 but produces no lasting change in how employees or managers understand or respond to sexual harassment in the workplace. Effective PoSH training recognises ambiguous behaviours, trains witnesses and managers on specific responses, and builds ICC capability beyond constitution on paper.

The compliance checkbox problem

Legal compliance and behavioural change are different standards. Organisations optimising only for the former get exactly what they optimise for — documentation without transformation.

What effective programmes do

They create recognition of genuinely ambiguous situations, develop responses for bystanders and managers, and equip Internal Committees to run investigations competently — not just constitutionally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does most PoSH training fail to change behaviour?

Most programmes optimise for compliance documentation — a slide session and sign-off sheet — rather than recognition of ambiguous situations, witness responses, and manager accountability.

What is the difference between PoSH compliance and PoSH awareness?

Compliance produces completion records auditors accept. Awareness produces employees and managers who recognise harassment, respond appropriately, and support the Internal Committee process.

What does effective PoSH training include?

Scenario-led modules on ambiguous behaviours, bystander and manager response training, and ICC capability beyond paper constitution — with completion certificates and exportable audit evidence.

Can PoSH training be delivered online?

Yes. Animated, self-paced online PoSH programmes are legally valid when they cover mandatory Act content and document completion. Tryitowl offers hosted and SCORM formats.

WhatsApp