India’s top 30 listed companies reported a 6.2% rise in POSH complaints in FY25, marking a shift in workplace culture where employees are increasingly confident in reporting misconduct.
According to data compiled by Complykaro for The Economic Times, the BSE Sensex firms received 958 complaints under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013—commonly known as the POSH Act—up from 902 in FY24.
Experts interpret this rise not as a deterioration in workplace safety, but as a sign of improved awareness, stronger internal complaint mechanisms, and growing employee trust in corporate redressal processes.
Sectoral Trends: Banking and IT Lead in Complaint Volume
Banks and IT companies accounted for the majority of reported cases.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) recorded the highest number of complaints, followed by other tech and financial services firms.
The increase is attributed to higher female workforce participation in these sectors and more robust reporting frameworks.
In previous years, companies like ICICI Bank, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, and HDFC Bank also saw consistent year-on-year increases in POSH complaints, reflecting a broader trend of rising transparency and accountability.
POSH Compliance Measures and Regulatory Oversight Intensify
The Supreme Court’s directive in early 2025 mandating all companies—regardless of size—to register their Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) on the Government of India’s SHe-Box Portal has accelerated POSH compliance.
Labour commissioners across districts have been tasked with conducting surveys to monitor adherence, leading to a surge in compliance activity, especially among MSMEs.
Vishal Kedia, founder of Complykaro, noted that the portal simplifies the complaint process and enhances government oversight.
“We are receiving 7–8 enquiries per day from companies trying to align with POSH norms,” he said.
Pendency of POSH Cases Raises Concerns
While the rise in complaints reflects progress, the pendency rate has also increased. At the end of FY25, 21% of complaints remained unresolved—up from 12% in FY24.
This backlog has raised concerns about the capacity of ICCs and the need for timely, impartial investigations.
In FY24, 88% of complaints were disposed of, but the remaining 12% included spillover cases.
The current pendency rate suggests that while reporting has improved, resolution mechanisms may need strengthening.
Cultural Shift in Corporate India
HR leaders and POSH experts view the trend as a sign of cultural maturity.
Pallavi Pareek, founder of Ungender, emphasized that the increase in complaints reflects employees “finding their voice” after years of silence.
“The rise is not a sign of workplaces becoming unsafe—it’s a sign of workplaces becoming more responsive,” she said.
Companies are now investing in confidential reporting channels, mandatory training, and external audits of their POSH systems.
These efforts are not only about compliance but also about embedding respect and dignity into workplace culture.
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