A recent survey indicated that almost 50 per cent companies had only 10 per cent women in leadership roles. In such workplaces, women need to work harder to prove their merit.
Sometimes female employees have to endure the suppressing of their male colleagues or bosses.
The fight is not necessarily against men. There are few men who have a broader outlook. The fight is against all people who opine that women should follow or behave in 'a certain way' to avoid attention.
Silence can be your biggest enemy, do not be quiet when the situation demands you to speak up. Be clear on what they want to say and then reason with them by constantly referring to examples which they can relate to.
Many Indian organisations have a conservative modus operandi. Though the culture is changing, still gender stereotyping is common.
Women Grievance Cell. In light of the atrocities against women, the government of India has passed the The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The Act defines sexual harassment at the work place, creates a mechanism of complaints and sets guidelines that traditional office set-ups with clear employee-employee relationship need to adhere to.
If your organisation does not have a Cell yet, ensure to bring it up with the HR. Check the credibility of the members in the Cell for a transparent judgment, in case any harassment cases surface.
If your work involves working late nights, then the organisation is bound to offer women employees transport facilities. Discuss it with your women colleagues and ask for what is rightly yours.
Raise your voice and ask for help when needed and you will be surprised at the number of people coming forward to assist you.
Courtesy: www.monsterindia.com
