POSH Annual Return Filing in Jharkhand: Ensure a Safe Workplace

Updated on October 14, 2025 05:27:40 PM

In Jharkhand, like in every other state of India, the POSH Act requires all organizations employing 10 or more employees to ensure that the workplaces they operate are free from any form of harassment. An important component of POSH compliance is the annual filing of the POSH return, a document presented to the District Officer by 31st January every year. In this document, an organization is supposed to report workplace harassment complaints received during the year, those resolved, ones pending, and training or awareness building conducted for employees.

The annual POSH return filing is not only a statutory requirement but also a proactive measure that strengthens an organization's commitment towards the welfare of its employees, safety in the workplace, and respect towards the rights of individuals. Hence, timely filing of this report would avoid some legal consequences from the organizations, promote a dignity and inclusion culture, and strengthen the trust among the employees. The guide deals with the basic steps required to file a POSH return in Jharkhand, enabling organizations to understand better the process and its significance.

The annual POSH return can be tricky for someone new to such a return. For one end, one can pursue an easy way to understand it in a few simplified steps:

  Collect the Required Information   Compile the Report   Review and Ensure Accuracy   Track Status

The procedure for filing the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) annual return is fraught with problems an organization needs to overcome to achieve compliance smoothly.

• Lack of Awareness and Training: Many organizations are unaware of specific requirements for POSH annual returns, and members of their Internal Committees are often not trained in compliance processes.
• Inadequate Documentation: There is a need for inclusive documentation while submitting the annual return under the act. It must have a list of complaints received, actions taken, and training conducted throughout the year.
• Confidentiality and Sensitivity: To comply while maintaining confidentiality is a difficult balance because the POSH Act demands the privacy of the complainants and the respondents.
• Resource and Time Constraints: Many Internal Committees are constituted with limited resources and time due to the fact that POSH activities form an additional responsibility on top of the regular roles.
• Tracking Training and Awareness Initiatives: Reporting on training and awareness initiatives is another challenge that organizations face regularly as many of them do not have a centralized synergy to assist in tracking those activities.