Thursday, June 17, 2010

Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace

Name:         Gurpreet Kaur Sethi (2008 -2010)
Title:          Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace

Executive Summary
My report is based on detailed study of sexual harassment of women at workplace. As now a day’s numbers of women are increasing in the work place, sexual harassment has become more commonplace. My work is to identify through case studies and survey of women worked in MNC`s. Through this opportunity I am privileged to express my views on sexual assault of women in MNC’s.
Through   this opportunity I have highlighted various drawbacks of popular MNC”S. This topic includes causes, solutions disadvantages of sexual harassment of working women class. Through this detailed study and survey I came to know that status of Indian women still needs to improve. No doubt, India is almost a developed country which possesses hi-tech systems throughout. I was glad to know India is counted in first top ten countries to serve with multiple BPO’S and telecommunications. It was also elaborated that Indian people are more laborious and cultures as compared to other countrymen. It was been found through a survey that Indian women are popular for housekeeping as well as for advanced working with BPO’S. For a while I thought that this great Indian woman is facing menace of sexual harassment at her work place.
To keep a check over it I suggested some of the solutions, this includes the behavioral altercations of victim and psychology of the criminal. This altercation indicates victim should be strict in her approaches, she must say a strict no in case of certain responses. It was also advised that working women must keep a strict check over her  body language . One should maintain a physical distance with her colleagues.  Eye to eye romance and time pass should also be avoided because it may provoke the criminal and provide an opportunity to come closer.
Advantage of this detailed study provided many facts and special provisions which Indian government has provided.  Laadli, servsiksha abhiyaan, seva and many more are the several institutes for upliftment of rural girl child. In my opinion sex education must be imparted to children above fifteen. This new education will relate to various other health related topics. It would aware the upcoming youth with AIDS, HIV and many other STD’S.
In India , women is worshipped in the form of  various goddess like ma Durga, SARASWATI, LAXMI, but question arises , if women is sexually harassed then there is no use of going to temples and attending for hours in ques…it’s all useless.


Objectives:


Through this opportunity, I am privileged to throw some light on sexual harassment of women in MNC's. Being a corporate lady few of the questions knock my ideas of safety doors. After listening news, reading newspaper, sometimes, I am horrified that the cases I read and listen can also happen to me. I want to raise my voice against this menace.   Few of the common examples are rape of a working lady by her cab driver. Gang rape of lady on her official tour by her office colleagues. Though, according to Indian culture, except once wife every lady is considered as mother, daughter and sister. But UNFORTUNATELY, cultural values are eroding day by day because of westernization.
            Government is planning number of development schemes for upliftment of women. It’s providing vocational, Industrial training in many rural areas to put her into better position. Above mentioned activities would be useless if a qualified woman is sexually harassed in her workplace. Ultimately, she would be compelled by her circumstances to stay indoors and to watch “saas bahu” programmes. Success of our nation lies in hands of a successful lady. But my friends if lady being accused sexually or molested, she gets demotivated. With efforts of women upliftment, rules must be made strict so that women may enjoy her peaceful life.
           It’s usually observed in MNC's and various professional universities; Females have 10 times more patience and intelligence as compared to men. This may be the factor of their harassment. If we look at the ratio of women and men in MNC`S, its clear men are more.
You may think maternity factor, Physical weakness may be reason behind low number of working ladies in society. But my friend’s truth is that they are sexually harassed

Recommendations:
Tell the offender their attention is unwanted. 
Set clear, verbal boundaries.  Ignoring the behavior actually encourages it to continue.  Don't expect the person to read your mind  to learn how you feel about what they are doing.  The only way they will know the attention is unwanted is if you tell them it is
unwanted.  Be firm and direct.

  • Tell the harasser what they have done--name the behavior.  Be specific, straightforward, and blunt.   
  • Demand that the behavior stop.
  • Say No! like you mean it.  Don't be wishy-washy.  Don't say "I have a boyfriend  or I have a girlfriend," or “I'm married," as this is not the same thing as saying "No."  It implies you would welcome the attention if you were not in a relationship.  Plus, many harassers will be encouraged by the prospects of cheating with you.
  • Hold the harasser accountable.  Don't make excuses for them.  Do not pretend nothing has happened.  Don't fret about protecting their feelings, or protecting them from feeling rejected.
  • Make it clear that everyone has the right to be free from sexual harassment. Objecting to harassment is a matter of principle.
  • Stand your ground and stick to your own agenda. Don't respond to the harasser's excuses or diversionary tactics. Harassers will often try to draw you into a dialogue or argument about why you should submit to their demands.  Refuse to discuss the issue with them as this can become a power game in itself.  Also, do not allow yourself to be manipulated by others into backing down.
  • Remember, the harasser's  behavior is the issue--not your behavior.  
  • Reinforce your statements with strong, self-respecting body language: eye contact, head up, shoulders back, a strong, serious stance. Don't smile. Timid, submissive body language will undermine your message.  If the harassment continues, repeat yourself if you have to.
  • Respond at the appropriate level. If the harassment was physical, combine your verbal response with a physical one (i.e. grasp their arm firmly while saying "No!")  
  • Talk about the harassment to others.  Staying silent protects harassers.
Limitations:
  • The biggest limitation under this project was the time limitation.
  • Lack of proper knowledge among the employees.
  • There was lack of data accuracy.
  • Due to time limitation most of the data collected was secondary data.
  • The employees usually don’t have time to share the information.
  • Due to lack of time it becomes impossible to visit each n every MNC.
  • The employees were scared of sharing information as they were not aware of the project.


The above article is a summary extract from the dissertation projects of the MBA and BBA students of Skyline College. Skyline, situated in Delhi and Gurgaon (NCR) is a premier institute providing management education specialising in MBA and BBA degrees and specialist courses for travel and tourism as well as mass communication.

Tea Garden Labor Problems and HT Planning of Assam Tea Industry

Name:         Bitupan Kalita (2008 -2010)
Title:          Tea Garden Labor Problems and HT Planning of Assam Tea Industry

Executive Summary
Assam tea (Assamese: অসমীয়া চাহ, Hindi: असमिया चाय or Hindi: आसामी चाय or Hindi: असमी चाय) is manufactured specifically from the plant Camellia sinensis var. assamica (Masters). This tea, most of which is grown at or near sea level, is known for its body, briskness, malty flavor, and strong, bright color. Assam teas, or blends containing Assam, are often sold as "breakfast" teas. English breakfast tea, Irish Breakfast tea, and Scottish Breakfast Tea are common generic names.

India the home of the tea-plant
The tea industry in India is about 172 years old. It occupies an important place and plays a very useful part in the national economy. In 1838 the first Indian tea from Assam was sent to United Kingdom for public sale. Thereafter, it was extended to other parts of the country between 50's and 60's of the last century. Major tea growing areas of the country are concentrated in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

  • 1692 registered Tea Manufacturers,
  • 2200 registered Tea Exporters,
  • 5848 number of registered tea buyers,
  • Nine tea Auction centres.
Assam and Tea-Planters
The best thing for an intending share purchaser to do would be to obtain a report from an experienced planter, if possible, from another district, in which all points would be carefully considered and reported upon :—Tenure, buildings, labour, staff, machinery, communication, general plant ; ratio of increase in out-turn and expenditure during the last few years ; the exact state of the factory advance account ; the condition of the garden, as having been, or not, well pruned, drained, and carefully treated ; the number of hoeing in the previous year (to gauge the sufficiency oi the labour) ; and, in addition, if possible, a report from London tea-brokers, as to the standing of the garden mark with buyers.

Recommendations & Suggestions:
Labour Development Programme:
Illustrative list of Schemes

Education
  1. Primary school buildings (additional rooms)
  2. Middle school buildings (additional rooms)
  3. Development of play fields
  4. Construction of hostels/dormitories
  5. Buying of school dresses/books
  6. Adult education
  7. Public libraries and reading rooms
  8. Development of human resource through vocational and   technical education
  9. TV/dish antennas
  10. Books/journals
Health:
  1. Provision of medical equipments of basic/elementary type, X-Ray, ECG machines etc. can also be purchased.
  2. Provision of equipment for Dental Clinic
  3. First-aid kit for midwives
  4. Construction of public toilets and bathroom
  5. Setting up of mobile dispensaries in rural areas by Government/ Panchayati Raj Institutions
  6. Health Awareness Programme
  7. Eye camps
  8. RCH programme
  9. Blood Banks
  10. Control of Malaria, Filaria, Leprosy, AIDS etc.
Infrastructure:
  1. Rural Sanitation
  2. Solar Street Lights
  3. Solar household Lights
  4. Electrification
  5. Strengthening of existing roads (only link road)
  6. Construction and strengthening of kutcha roads, part road, approach roads, link roads.
  7. Drinking water facility – construction of tube wells, water tanks
  8. Repair and maintenance of existing roads
  9. Public Distribution System and its improvement (in terms of infrastructure)
  10. Industries – Handloom, tiny units, handicraft, furniture making
  11. Construction of culverts/bridges and roads
  12. Drains and gutters
  13. Footpaths, pathways and footbridges
  14. Provisions of civic amenities like electricity, water, pathways, public toilets etc. in slum areas of cities, towns    and  villages and in SC/ ST habitations.
  15. Provision of common work sheds in slums and for artisans.
  16. Bus sheds/stops for public transport passengers
  17. Repair and maintenance works of any type other than special repairs for restoration/ up gradation of any asset.
  18. Construction of buildings for local bodies for recognized District or State Sports Associations and for cultural and sport activities or     for hospitals (provision of multi-gym facilities in gymnastic centres, sports association, physical education training institutions etc.)
Social Sector:
  1.  Construction of community centres
  2. Rural Sanitation
  3. Anganwadies, Crèches
  4. Cultural Centres/Community Halls
  5. Construction of common shelters for the old and handicapped.
  6. Training for youth for self employment and skill up gradation.
  7. Setting up of small industries using local inputs.
On time payment
Increase labour compensation

Limitations:
  1. Assam Tea Industry Is the largest tea industry in the world, so there are huge diversity
  2. There are more than 9000 tea garden, so it is impossible to study in all the gardens.
  3. Sample collection is not easy
  4. Data collection period is limited
  5. Limited sources of primary data
  6. Weather condition impact on data collection
  7. Socio-political impact on data collection      
This is a pilot level study that attempts to survey the socio-economic issues of tea garden labourers in Assam Hills. One of the major limitations of the study is that it takes only few tea gardens as a case study and sample to represent the region. Moreover, the sample size taken is relatively small. The findings of the study may only be indicative in nature and may be used with caution. A much larger and extensive study is required in order to explore the issues that have marred Assam Tea Industry and consequently impacted the garden labour force in the region.

The above article is a summary extract from the dissertation projects of the MBA and BBA students of Skyline College. Skyline, situated in Delhi and Gurgaon (NCR) is a premier institute providing management education specialising in MBA and BBA degrees and specialist courses for travel and tourism as well as mass communication.