‘Ek Chamaat Maarenge, Bihar Pahunch Jaogi’! This literally means, “I will slap you so hard, you will go back to Bihar”. This isn’t a funny dialogue from a comedy film. This was what a colleague said to Nitika Kumari, an employee of HSBC GSC, Hyderabad. What is alarming is that Kumari had put up with many such humiliating instances in the past one year, and had accepted it as part and parcel of corporate life! What is even worse is that despite escalating the matter to her manager, no action was taken. Of course Kumari has quit. She couldn’t have mustered the courage to speak out about the incident otherwise, could she? But are things any better in the West?
When we compare our work conditions in India to that of the West, the general opinion is that Indian workers have it hard. Everything about the West seems so much better! However, surveys reveal alarming factors that contribute to the injustice meted out to workers, globally. In the US, for instance, bullying is common. In fact, a recent report, ‘The State of Workplace Injustice’ reveals that 42 per cent of workers in the US have been on the receiving end of excessive harsh treatment when it came to evaluation/criticism of their performance. About 34 per cent admit to having been demeaned or put down in front of others. Twenty-two per cent have had their ideas and plans ridiculed publicly. Aren’t these clear instances of bullying? If we conduct a similar survey in our country, the figures may be even more depressing. Are employers of India even keen to address such issues?
What is disappointing is that 36 per cent of US workers admit that while they were being mistreated, another co-worker just stood and watched silently! It is worrying that 28 per cent realised their co-workers did not do anything to stop their mistreatment, even when it happened in front of them. An alarming 24 per cent were mistreated in front of leadership who did nothing to help or stop it. This means, US workers lack allies at the workplace. What about Indian workers? Can they depend on their colleagues to openly come forward in their support while they are being mistreated?
Injustice/harassment can take many forms. About 27 per cent US workers reveal that jokes were made about some aspect of their identity (race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and so on). An alarming 55 per cent have been victims of rude behaviour, 30 per cent have had demeaning or derogatory things said about them. Twenty-nine per cent have even been made to feel embarrassed in front of their co-workers. Such incivility is common in Indian workplaces, but they aren’t reported for fear of retaliation. Kumar is the most recent example.
A good 38 per cent of the US workers surveyed admitted that they were not included in conversations, while 19 per cent were kept out of meetings for no legitimate reason. Ostracism can be demoralising for workers. Are there any statistics pertaining to Indian workplaces available in this regard?
Forty-six per cent of US workers have been told things that make them feel incompetent. About 37 per cent felt that they lacked people to defend them when they were being talked about poorly at the workplace. Alarmingly, 29 per cent admit that people have said nice things to them which were meant as an insult. Undermining the abilities of employees or co-workers is demotivating. It can lead to disengagement and silent quitting. Indian employers would do well to nip such behaviour in the bud at their workplaces.
Have those who have suffered injustice been able to help others in the same situation? Well, the data in this regard isn’t encouraging. Of those surveyed, 23 per cent admit that they were afraid to intervene in the situation where injustice was apparent for fear of being looked at poorly by the perpetrator. A significant 26 per cent failed to intervene because they were afraid the same would happen to them. Alarmingly, 18 per cent refrained from speaking up in support of the victim so that they could gain an advantage in their own career.
The survey involved responses from 686 working adults within the US. The data was collected from online participants living in the US, had native English language proficiency and were working full time.
Imagine if such a study was undertaken in India! How many Kumaris would dare to speak up without first putting in their papers?