India Inc trying to get proactive in handling sexual harassment cases
MUMBAI/BANGALORE/NEW DELHI: For 100,000 employees in the group, ICICI
gets 60-odd sexual harassment complaints in a year. Of this, 30-40% are
found to be true. India's second-largest bank by assets does not insist
on absolute proof
when it comes to allegations of sexual harassment. In case of
circumstantial evidence, the person is asked to resign. If there is
stronger proof, the person is sacked.
ICICI is among a few
companies that are pre-emptive in dealing with a problem that is real
and exists across corporate India. Most Indian companies have an
ostrich-like approach to the problem and would rather not talk about the
problem.
Even those that are relatively proactive, admit
instances of sexual harassment and office relationships are a minefield
of sorts, especially those of the boss-subordinate variety as in the
Phaneesh Murthy case.
"A boss-reportee relationship is taboo
and a relationship between peers is fine as long as it does not impact
office work. Extra-marital relationships on the other hand are not
kosher anywhere in the world," says TV Mohandas Pai, chairman of Manipal Global Education and a former board member of InfosysBSE -0.51 %.
"There should be zero tolerance for undue advantage taken in a
boss-reportee relationship or sexual harassment of any kind," he says.
"When you are in an organisation where you are responsible for people,
it is a custodial position. Consequently, senior leadership has to see
their jobs as custodians," says K Ramkumar, executive director, ICICI BankBSE 2.60 %.
"It's a breach of trust when there is a case like this (referring to
all such cases), not just to the people, but to the institution you are
working for."
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-company/corporate-trends/india-inc-trying-to-get-proactive-in-handling-sexual-harassment-cases/articleshow/20183513.cms
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