Indian woman employee files 1 mn pound case against Wipro


London, Oct 7 (PTI): An Indian woman employee at the London office of IT major Wipro has filed a 1 million pounds compensation case of sexual discrimination, unequal pay and unfair dismissal against the firm.

She alleged she was subjected to a "deeply predatory, misogynistic culture" and forced into an affair with a married boss at the Bangalore-headquartered firm's UK division.

The 39-year-old told an employment tribunal in London this week how her boss called her "a seductive dancer from Indian mythology".

"Women who are confident, capable and express their viewpoints are often called 'emotional', 'psychotic' or 'menopausal'. Women who supported women are called 'lesbians'," she said.

She claimed she was manipulated into an affair with a married senior vice-president. On one business trip to Stockholm in 2013, the 54-year-old allegedly told her the silk blouse she was wearing was "too tight" for her body type.

The India-born woman said she embarked on the affair despite finding his conversation "inane" and that he suffered on occasion from a "certain body odour", the 'Daily Telegraph' reported.

The former sales and market development manager, who handled outsourcing business deals for Wipro, said she was treated like "dirty goods" after ending the affair and lodging complaints about her treatment.

She also claimed she was paid far less than male staff, earning up to 75,000 pounds per annum rather than the typical 150,000 pounds paid to male equivalents.

However, Wipro refused to comment on the lawsuit. "Wipro does not comment on its ongoing lawsuits and Wipro is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and provides all our employees with a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment of any kind. Wipro is defending these allegations before the court," a statement by Wipro Ltd said.

"Following an impartial inquiry, both were relieved from the services of the company after it was established beyond reasonable doubt that they had violated the stated policy," the statement said.

"Wipro takes serious objection to the scurrilous allegations made against the company and will initiate legal action to defend itself against insidious and defamatory allegations," it said.

"The company has built its business over the years by ensuring it adheres to the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and ethical corporate practices. Any transgression of these beliefs and policies are dealt with expeditiously and with the strictest action," the statement said.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Af,, Mangaluru

    Thu, Oct 08 2015

    Wipro is paying salaries not only based on position also his role and contribution handling responsibility and his market value.
    A higher position fellow may get less salary than his lower level grade colleague. there is nothing called woman employee will get less or male employee is getting more.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mangalurian, Mangaluru

    Thu, Oct 08 2015

    Other commentators have already covered how law is misused by people for personal gains.

    At the beginning, the article implies that she is a current employee. It is when reading "unfair dismissal", one realises that she was sacked, and no more a current employee.

    Being a "(former) sales and market development manager", she was paid a relatively smaller 'retainer' and commission based on her performance.

    But, what should the company do if they win not much in sales? Is it that easy to sell? UK is under tremendous political pressure to cancel offshore BPO contracts.

    So, if she was sacked for under-performance, she will not win the case.

    Of course, to minimise further embarrassment, the company might go for an out-of-court settlement. If the company does that, the other failed salespersons might also do similar things in the future.

    Wonder if this company will hire women for similar positions in the future!

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aliyanka, Udupi

    Thu, Oct 08 2015

    Innocent woman. "Bachhi hai...kabhi kabhi galthi ho jati hai..."
    She realized that after he dumped her.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Wed, Oct 07 2015

    This lady had a affair with the vice president and must have enjoyed sex and gifts...!!! Now that both lost the job due to disciplinary action company has to pay compensation..!!?? For what Wipro has to pay..???

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • kumar, kudla

    Wed, Oct 07 2015

    men are endangered species on earth!!!

    needs no explanation,

    but one-thing is my firm belief... nobody will be happy by going to court.....except advocates....

    i may be wrong... but i just remembered mythriya gowda, raghaveshwara swamiji, ramakatha, formar BJP minister ramadas of Mysore, somnath bharthi of AAP... all of a sudden while reading this news.

    oh "GOD"save both MEN & WOMEN !!!
    not only women.....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Wed, Oct 07 2015

    My heart bleeds for these kind of immaculate ladies! My sympathies with her.
    What an naive and innocent lady, she is MANIPULATED into having an AFFAIR!!

    DisAgree [13] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nithin, Mangalore/SA

    Wed, Oct 07 2015

    @ Shankar Mangalore..,

    I feel sad for this women..,

    But do you know Several Girls in IT industry GROW ONLY because they are in the good books of their seniors(For what ever reason ) and DEFINITELY NOT because of their work .. And its the same irrespective of which company you name... Have seen this culture for more than a decade...Pity Hard working Men..!!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian D'souza, Udupi / Mumbai

    Wed, Oct 07 2015

    Quick justice delivery system is a must everywhere.
    But I have observed one thing.
    Where justice delivery system is quick, there several ambitious cases also filed.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lydia Lobo, Kadri

    Wed, Oct 07 2015

    Bad attempt. Wipro veteran Punja, who was the CEO of the BPO business since June 2012, is no more with Wipro.

    How can she claim compensation for what went on between them when both of them were employed with Wipro ? Pay discrimination ? How could such a literate person enter into an agreement despite knowing the pay disparity ? Even if she did, upon knowing about the discrimination, why did she not quit ?

    What are the chances of her winning the compensation ? I don't see any, unless she has any proof of him molesting/abusing her which she can use in a personal suit against him, not sue the company for it !

    DisAgree [6] Agree [52] Reply Report Abuse

  • Langoolacharya., Belman/Washington,DC.

    Wed, Oct 07 2015

    Kadrimai,

    In western countries civil lawsuits are normally filed against rich so there are potentials of getting fat compensation...her lawyers are not looking to prove allegations and send the man to prison...her lawyers only intention is to file a case against the company(here Wipro), give maximum publicity...these companies have many other things to hide...negotiate/out of court settlement.... get a fat compensation...share it with the client...we have lot of these lawyers here in US we use a term "Ambulance chasing attorneys" for them...

    Sex with consenting adults is nothing special here...this is pure and simple plan to make some quick money by woman and her lawyers...this is Capitalism at it's best...enjoy...

    ...JH...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • CONRAD JOHN TAURO, SHIRVA/UDUPI/DUBAI

    Wed, Oct 07 2015

    Weep and Law

    DisAgree [4] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse


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