The Forum for IT Employees (FITE) has received hundreds of complaints from employees in the IT industry within just two weeks of the soft launch of a platform designed to report workplace harassment. The complaints pertain to forced resignations, denial of maternity leave, and unrealistic targets, among other issues.
Forum members revealed that they received complaints from employees at various levels working in several top firms, including multinational companies (MNCs) in Hyderabad.
“The complaints we received are just the tip of the iceberg. They show how IT employees are harassed at the workplace and, in most cases, struggle because they do not know how to handle it,” said C Vinod Kumar, president of FITE.
He explained that the initiative was launched on May 1 to provide employees with a platform to anonymously register their grievances. “In most cases, we provide counselling and legal aid. Most complainants are unwilling to approach the police and are looking for quick resolutions,” he added, noting that the initiative has also been launched in neighbouring Maharashtra.
According to forum members, they are receiving more complaints related to workplace harassment other than sexual harassment, where young employees are allegedly being targeted and forced either to resign or face termination by IT firms. One complaint read: “My wife works for an IT firm with about 250 employees. She was denied maternity leave by her team leader and senior manager. They are instead forcing her to resign and leave the organisation.”
In another complaint, a woman employee described how she was allegedly targeted for more than three months to force her to resign. “I even brought the issue to the notice of our country head, explaining how I had been asked to resign for the past three months. An internal inquiry was conducted, but no action was initiated. Later, I was put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). Now, HR has informed me that I should either resign or be sacked,” the complaint read.
FITE continues to receive complaints and is working to provide support through counselling and legal assistance, aiming to address the widespread harassment issues within the IT sector.
