An Indian woman employee has filed a 1 million pound compensation case on IT major Wipro, for the sexual discrimination.
The 39 year old woman said, “I was forced into an extramarital affair with a married boss at the Bangalore-headquartered firm's UK division. I was called as 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.
According to the woman, in 2013, when she was going on a business trip to Stockholm, Sweden, her boss allegedly told that the 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.”
A former sales and market development manager, who handled outsourcing business deals for Wipro, said that the woman was treated like “dirty goods”, after ending the affair and lodging complaints about her treatment.
She even said that the woman was payed far less than the male staff. The latter was payed about 150000 pounds, where the woman was just payed up to 75000 pounds per annum. However, Wipro maintained mum on the suit filed by the woman.
A statement by Wipro Ltd said, “Wipro does not comment on its ongoing lawsuits and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity. Wipro provides all its employees with a work environment, with no discrimination and harassment of any kind. Wipro is defending these allegations before the court.”
The Wipro statement further added, “Following an impartial inquiry, both were relieved from the company services, after it was established beyond reasonable doubt that they had violated the stated policy.”
“The company takes serious objection to the scurrilous allegations made against the company and will initiate the legal action to defend itself against insidious and defamatory allegations.”
“Wipro has built its business over the years by ensuring it adheres to the highest standards of ethical corporate practices, integrity and fairness. Any transgression of these beliefs and policies, are dealt with expeditiously and with the strictest action,” the Wipro statement concluded.
By Phani Ch
