Mandatory HR Compliance Policies in India (2025)

1) POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Policy

• Policy Content: Protects women from sexual harassment at the workplace and prescribes complaint redressal mechanisms.
  
  

• Applicable To: All organisations in India with 10 or more employees.
  
  

• Eligibility: All women employees (permanent, temporary, interns, trainees, contract staff).
  
  

• Employer Obligations:

  Draft and circulate a POSH policy.

  Form an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).

  Conduct mandatory awareness and sensitisation training.

  File annual POSH compliance report (where applicable).
  
  

• Legal Reference: POSH Act 2013 – DoE PDF

• Last Updated: September 2025
  
  
  

2) Wages & Salary Compliance

• Policy Content: Ensures timely payment of wages, no unauthorised deductions, and equal remuneration.
  
  

• Applicable To: All companies operating in India.
  
  

• Eligibility: All employees, regardless of wage level.
  
  

• Employer Obligations:

  Pay wages on time (by the 7th/10th of the following month).

  Maintain wage registers and payslips.

  Avoid unlawful deductions.
  
  

• Legal Reference: Code on Wages, 2019 – IndiaCode

• Last Updated: September 2025
  
  
  

3) Minimum Wages Policy

• Policy Content: Employers must pay at least the government-notified minimum wage.
  
  

• Applicable To: All establishments employing workers in “scheduled employment.”
  
  

• Eligibility: All employees (skilled, semi-skilled, unskilled).
  
  

• Employer Obligations:

  Follow state-specific notifications for minimum wages.

  Revise wages whenever the government issues updates.
  
  

• Legal Reference: Minimum Wages Act (now part of Code on Wages)

• Last Updated: September 2025
  
  
  

4) Working Hours, Leave & Holidays

• Policy Content: Governs work timings, overtime, weekly offs, and leave entitlements.
  
  

• Applicable To: All businesses covered under state Shops & Establishments Acts.
  
  

• Eligibility: All employees registered under the Act.
  
  

• Employer Obligations:

  Register under the state’s Shops & Establishments Act.

  Provide weekly offs and leave entitlements.

  Maintain attendance and leave records.
  
  

• Legal Reference: Maharashtra Shops & Establishments Act, 2017 (Example)

• Last Updated: September 2025
  
  
  

5) Maternity Benefit Policy

• Policy Content: Provides paid maternity leave and related benefits.
  
  

• Applicable To: All establishments under the Maternity Benefit Act.
  
  

• Eligibility: Women employees with at least 80 days of service in the preceding 12 months.
  
  

• Employer Obligations:

  Provide 26 weeks of paid maternity leave.

  Allow work-from-home (if feasible).

  Provide a crèche facility if you employ 50+ employees.
  
  

• Legal Reference: Maternity Benefit Act – Labour Ministry PDF

• Last Updated: September 2025
  
  
  

6) Provident Fund (PF) Policy

• Policy Content: Provides retirement savings and social security for employees.
  
  

• Applicable To: Establishments with 20 or more employees.
  
  

• Eligibility: Employees earning up to ₹15,000/month (higher-income employees can opt in voluntarily).
  
  

• Employer Obligations:

  Deduct 12% of employee’s basic wages and match with employer contribution.

  Deposit contributions with EPFO monthly.

  File PF returns on EPFO portal.
  
  

• Legal Reference: EPFO Official Site

• Last Updated: September 2025
  
  
  

7) Employee State Insurance (ESI) Policy

• Policy Content: Provides medical, sickness, and maternity benefits.
  
  

• Applicable To: Establishments with 10 or more employees.
  
  

• Eligibility: Employees earning up to ₹21,000/month.
  
  

• Employer Obligations:

  Deduct and contribute to ESI fund.

  Register employees with ESIC.

  File monthly ESI contributions online.
  
  

• Legal Reference: ESIC Official Site

• Last Updated: September 2025
  
  
  

8) Gratuity Policy

• Policy Content: Provides a lump sum to employees after long service.
  
  

• Applicable To: Establishments with 10 or more employees.
  
  

• Eligibility: Employees with 5 or more years of continuous service.
  
  

• Employer Obligations:

  Calculate gratuity as per formula (15 days’ wages per year of service).

  Pay within 30 days of exit.
  
  

• Legal Reference: Payment of Gratuity Act – Labour Ministry PDF

• Last Updated: September 2025
  
  
  

9) Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination Policy

• Policy Content: Ensures equal pay and fair treatment for all.
  
  

• Applicable To: All employers in India.
  
  

• Eligibility: All employees (including disabled workers).
  
  

• Employer Obligations:

  Provide equal pay for equal work.

  Ensure non-discriminatory hiring and promotions.

  Make reasonable accommodations for disabled employees.
  
  

• Legal Reference: Equal Remuneration Act PDF

• Last Updated: September 2025
  
  
  

10) Industrial Relations & Termination Compliance

• Policy Content: Governs layoffs, retrenchments, dispute resolution, and strikes.
  
  

• Applicable To: Industrial establishments and larger companies.
  
  

• Eligibility: Applies primarily to “workmen” as defined under the law.
  
  

• Employer Obligations:

  Provide statutory notice and compensation for retrenchment.

  Follow due process in layoffs/closures.

  Maintain grievance redressal mechanisms.
  
  

• Legal Reference: Industrial Disputes Act – Labour Ministry PDF

• Last Updated: September 2025