Day 9: Safe Workplaces: A Status of Compliance Survey Report launch

The Safe Workplaces: A Status of Compliance Survey Report was launched on 4th December, 2021 on the 9th Day of the Prajnya 16 Days Campaign against Gender Violence. It is formulated with the focus sectors being IT, ITES, BPO, KPO, R&D. The report compiled by Prajnya has helped in giving one a better sense of understanding with respect to what constitutes a safe workplace, the compliance support undertaken by the focus sectors, and its impact. The survey for the report was undertaken by Prajnya volunteers Priithy Appandarajan and Subhashini Raju, with assistance from Ojasvi Vyas and Maryam Nayaz. Here's a sneak peek report that highlights the realities of workplaces. Click here to read more!

On December 3, the authors of the report presented its main findings to a small group. 

"Prajnya’s work in the area of creating safe workplaces begins with compliance support but forms part of its foundational commitment to gender equality and human rights—including the rights to life, to dignified work, and to equality, which both the Vishakha Guidelines of 1997 and the 2013 Act acknowledge as being at the heart of this issue."

• "Policy: 93% of companies had workplace sexual harassment prevention policies, and most of them introduced these at the point of induction. Almost everyone used multiple ways of communicating the policy to employees, including posters and reminders."
• "Reporting Requirement: Awareness about reporting requirements was relatively low, with 33% unsure about them. Those who said they had reported as required appear to have chosen contradictory options when asked what they reported, and breaches of confidentiality seem common. "
• "Asked about innovations they were proud of, most respondents pointed not towards compliance specifics but elements in the creation of an inclusive, equal organizational culture. "
• "We had included contradictory choices with regard to how complaints are listed in a report—the number and details; anonymized complaints with just receipt and closure information, and reporting with identifying details. Not only is it alarming that six out of the 14 who responded substantively to this question [elements included in the report] said that they included identifying details in the public report, but it is also alarming that half of them picked all three. This shows a lack of understanding, and perhaps design flaws in our survey, but also that companies can be casual about a breach of confidentiality." 

The report also outlines awareness on Company Policy on Workplace Sexual Harassment Prevention and Redressal, functioning of the Internal Committee, Complaint procedures, awareness training, reporting requirement, as well as workplace culture and awareness.