A showroom may not look like a corporate office, but it is still a workplace under the POSH Act, 2013. From furniture and automobile showrooms to jewellery and electronics stores, sales staff, cashiers and support workers can face harassment from colleagues, supervisors or even customers. Learn when your showroom needs an Internal Committee and how Nawal Foundation helps retail businesses stay POSH compliant.
Does Your Showroom Need an Internal Committee Under the POSH Act?
A large showroom may not look like a corporate office, but it is still a workplace governed by the POSH Act, 2013.
Nowadays, showrooms are no more ordinary. Today, we witness huge showrooms which are multi storied. Even the basic stores are so more simple. Furniture showrooms, automobile showrooms, electronics stores, home furnishing outlets, jewelry showrooms and large retail establishments employ sales executives, receptionists, cashiers, managers, housekeeping workers and support staff.
Employees may face inappropriate comments, unwanted advances or harassment from colleagues, supervisors or customers. Harassment may be of different form as described in the act and yet it often goes unnoticed in these places. Moreover, majority of the people think that the said act is only for corporate giants and not for their showrooms. One needs to keep the basic concept in mind that any organization with more than 10 employees false under the jurisdiction of this act. If the showroom has different outlets, then the total number of employees will be seen as a cumulative number of employees, together of all the employees. Hence, there is no manner in which a showroom or a retail outlet can evade its liability under the act.
- If your showroom has 10 or more employees, have you constituted an Internal Committee?
- Are your sales staff aware of the POSH Act?
- Are your policies displayed clearly? Are your staff members aware of this act?
Providing a safe working environment is a legal responsibility, not merely an HR formality. Just as you run your outlet or showroom on certain policies and compliance, POSH too, is one such legal compliance to ensure a safe workplace.
Nawal Foundation helps showroom owners and management teams understand their POSH obligations through practical training, staff awareness workshops and compliance support.
A successful showroom values not only its customers but also the dignity of its employees.
Contact Nawal Foundation to make your showroom POSH compliant.
