Here are ready-to-use POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) training examples and scenarios commonly used in corporate, law firm, court, hospital, and academic settings in India. These are non-explicit, discussion-oriented, and suitable for IC, employees, interns, and juniors.

1️⃣ What Counts as Sexual Harassment – Simple Examples

Example 1: Verbal Conduct

A senior tells a junior colleague:

“You’ll go far here if you dress more attractively.”

➡️ POSH Issue: Sexually coloured remark + power imbalance

Example 2: Non-Verbal Conduct

A colleague repeatedly:

  • Stares at someone’s body
  • Winks or makes kissing gestures during meetings

➡️ POSH Issue: Non-verbal harassment

Example 3: Digital Harassment

  • Sending late-night WhatsApp messages unrelated to work
  • Sharing memes with sexual undertones in office groups

➡️ POSH Issue: Online harassment = workplace harassment

2️⃣ Grey Area / Discussion Scenarios (Very Important for Training)

Scenario 1: “It Was Just a Compliment”

A male colleague says:

“You look very hot in this dress today.”

He claims it was a compliment.

Training Discussion Points

  • Is intent relevant? ❌
  • Is impact relevant? ✅
  • Was it welcome? ❓

➡️ Likely POSH Violation

Scenario 2: Friendly Touch

A senior casually puts a hand on a junior’s shoulder during conversations.

Key Question:

  • Was it unwelcome or repeated?

➡️ Context + consent matters.

Scenario 3: Consensual Relationship at Workplace

Two colleagues are in a relationship.

Later, one party alleges harassment after a breakup.

➡️ POSH Principle:

  • Prior consent ≠ perpetual consent
  • Each incident must be examined independently

3️⃣ Power & Authority Based Scenarios (Very Common)

Scenario 4: Quid Pro Quo

A reporting manager says:

“I can help with your appraisal—let’s have dinner alone.”

➡️ Clear POSH Violation

  • Abuse of authority
  • Implied benefit for personal favour

Scenario 5: Internship / Chamber Scenario (Law Firms)

A senior advocate sends personal messages to an intern late at night and asks to meet alone outside office hours.

➡️ Still POSH even if:

  • Internship is unpaid
  • Person is not on payroll

4️⃣ Hostile Work Environment Examples

Scenario 6: Office Culture

  • Sexual jokes during lunch
  • Rating colleagues’ looks
  • Posters/screensavers with sexual content

➡️ Even without targeting one person, this creates a hostile environment

5️⃣ Retaliation Scenarios (Often Missed)

Scenario 7: After Complaint

After a POSH complaint:

  • Complainant is excluded from meetings
  • Work is taken away
  • Negative remarks are passed
  • ➡️ POSH Violation: Retaliation is strictly prohibited

6️⃣ Bystander Responsibility Scenarios

Scenario 8: Witnessing Harassment

You overhear a colleague making inappropriate remarks to another colleague.

Training Question:

  • Can a third party report?
    ➡️ Yes, as per policy / IC guidelines

7️⃣ False Complaint – Important Clarity

Scenario 9: Malicious Complaint

A complaint is filed with proved false intent and fabricated evidence.

➡️ Key Training Note:

  • Complaint not proved ≠ false complaint
  • Malicious intent must be clearly established

8️⃣ Sample POSH Training Questions (Interactive)

Use these during sessions:

  • Was the conduct welcome?
  • Would a reasonable person find it offensive?
  • Is there a power imbalance?
  • Did it affect dignity or work environment?

9️⃣ One-Line POSH Takeaways (For Slides / Posters)

  • ❝ Intent is irrelevant. Impact matters. ❞
  • ❝ Workplace includes WhatsApp, travel, court corridors, conferences ❞
  • ❝ Silence does not mean consent ❞
  • ❝ Retaliation is also harassment ❞

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