An ex employee of one of the world's largest IT companies, Wipro, Shreya Ukil (39), has alleged that she was subjected to a “deeply predatory, misogynistic culture” during her time with the company, an employment tribunal heard.
It is also alleged that Ukil has claimed that she was forced into having an affair with her older boss, Manoj Punja (54).
The tribunal heard that during a business trip to Stockholm, Punja had allegedly told Ukil that the blouse she wore was “too tight” for her body because of her “big breasts.” he had allegedly also told her that she was “like a seductive dancer from Indian mythology.”
She said Punja performed “aggressive sexual advances” as part of an “ingrained culture of discrimination”, adding that she was “punished for submitting” to those advances and for “daring to speak out”.
In regards to Wipro, she allegedly said that the atmosphere for women in the company was “toxic”, adding, “The culture within Wipro requires women to be subservient. Women who are confident, capable and express their viewpoints are often called 'emotional', 'psychotic' or 'menopausal'. Women who support women are called 'lesbians'.”
A spokesperson for Wipro said, “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.”
The hearing continues.
