How Wipro raises awareness levels for Sexual Harassment at Workplace

According to ComplyKaro Services, India Inc https://inc42.com/ study & report, Indian companies reported more cases of sexual harassment in FY19 compared to a year earlier.

Data shows a 14% increase in reports of sexual harassment complaints in FY19. Wipro, India’s third-largest software services exporter, was on the top of the list with 116 reported cases.

The facts based on this report-

• IT major Wipro reported the highest increase in the number of complaints in absolute numbers (41) from 101 in FY18 to 142 in FY19.
• ICICI Bank and Infosys showed a maximum reduction in absolute numbers with the private lender reporting 40 cases lesser in FY19 and the IT major reporting 8 cases lesser during the fiscal. 

In conversation with SightsIn Plus, Saurabh Govil, President and Chief Human Resource Officer Wipro said, “At Wipro, we believe that every employee has the right to work in an environment that is free from intimidation, harassment & abuse; whether physical, verbal or psychological.“

“Our Global Policy on Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PSH) at the workplace provides a strong framework of confidentiality, assurance, and protection to all employees. In FY 19 we disposed 156 cases” Govil said.

Saurabh added, a comprehensive orientation and education campaign are key to raise awareness levels. We do at 4 levels: 

• All new joiners go through an awareness session during induction.  
• Global communication mailers regularly sent to the entire organization to educate employees. Depicted through an innovative storytelling method, these mailers have helped employees grasp the message easily.
• In-person PSH orientation sessions conducted by HR on a regular basis ensure that existing employees are kept abreast of the policy.
• We also have mandatory online e-learning for employees to have an understating of PSH.

This is the third year for companies to report such incidents, after the implementation in 2014 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The law made it mandatory for listed companies to report the number of sexual harassment cases and what steps they take for redressal.

Industry observers say the data show that women working in the corporate sector have started to raise their voice against sexual harassment at the workplace, something considered a taboo just a few years ago.