BENGALURU: A day after the landmark judgement of the London Employment Tribunal handing her victory in her case of sex discrimination at the workplace against IT major, Wipro and particularly, Manoj Punja, former head of Wipro BPO in London, 39-year-old Shreya Ukil, a former sales and market development manager with the company’s back office operations in London, spoke to Deccan Chronicle about the trial and her trauma during it.
In a telephonic interview from London, she said she was shocked at Wipro calling it a ‘win-win’ judgement. “Do they mean to say that they won by victimising me or by unfairly dismissing me from work? Do they mean to say that they won by underpaying me and forcing me to put up with sexist remarks?” she asked indignantly.
How do you feel about the judgment? Do you think there is widespread discrimination against women at the workplace?
I am thrilled and happy about the judgment. It was a fight for my rights and dignity. Yes, there is a widespread discrimination against women at the workplace. If you look at the surveys done by various organizations on the victimisation and discrimination women have experienced at the workplace, you will see it yourself.
How do you see your experience?
It was undoubtedly a hard struggle, a tough battle that I fought for one-and-a-half years. But the only way to change the equation was to come out of the darkness and ensure that it was brought to light. I had served the organisation for several years and had toiled hard for it. But, they called me names like 'un-European' and B****. It was a fight for my dignity, my rights and my respect. No one has the right to destroy it. I never wanted things to come to litigation, but the company didn't leave me any choice.
You were a top executive as sales head for Europe . How did you feel about being targeted for credibility and substance?
It was disappointing and more than that I felt betrayed by my own company, my colleagues and my bosses. This is the thing about being a woman, it only gets tougher as you reach the top as the line drawn between men and women begins to thin and when it gets on the verge of getting even thinner a woman may face sexist behaviour.
What kind of discriminatory treatment did you face?
I was underpaid although I did the same work as my male peers of the same grade. I was paid almost 50per cent lesser than what was being paid to my male colleagues. The colleagues, who were male, used to verbally abuse me, pass sexist remarks like B*****, etc. It hurts when you have worked with the company for over 10 years. After it all started I tried every possible way to escalate the issue at the top level , approaching everyone from human resources to ombudsman. But I was forced to sign an indemnity letter by the head saying I would not bring any sexual victimisation claims against Wipro. In fact, I even sent an email to Wipro chairman Azim Premji, who promised a fair probe into the issue. But I was fired.
Do you think the company had no business getting into personal details like your relationship with a colleague?
Yes! Absolutely, it was not like I was violating any code of conduct or breaching the policy. I have not broken any law. Having said that, how can they justify underpaying me, passing sexist remarks against me, victimising and abusing me and unfairly dismissing me from the job?
Were there times when you felt low during the battle you took on?
Yes, there were. When I initially decided to break my silence and stand up for my rights, there were times I felt alone, dejected, hurt, betrayed and lost. I used to sit in a corner and cry. I shut myself off from the outside world. But the immense support of my counsel, Slater Gordon and lawyers, who are women too, gave me the courage to fight with my head held high.
What do you think needs to be done to bring parity between men and women at the workplace?
Well,firstly it is essential there is parity between them as women are no lesser then men in the business. Women should not sit back and let a company or a man alone take charge of their rights and victimise them. They need to stand up for their themselves and be aware of their rights at the workplace .
What advise would you like to give other women in employment now that you have become a symbol of courage in the face of victimisation?
The only thing I want to tell my fellow women in the workforce is never walk away from the problems or any issue they are facing, be it at the workplace or at home. There is nothing you should be ashamed of when you are not wrong. Fight for your rights, speak up and let the world know. Make sure you approach the right people, follow a proper, recorded channel to make your voice heard and ask the right questions. All the companies are not bad. They are doing well for their women employees unlike others, who are only paying lip-service and nothing beyond.
What do you plan to do now? Will you fight for the cause of women like you?
It's an interesting question. What do I say to you? There are so many things lined up for me right now. Many have suggested writing my own book on the struggle. You never know what strikes when. But as of now my hands are full with the ongoing case. Hopefully, once things are settled, I will join work again somewhere or may be sit down and write a book.
