As a senior columnist, I stirred a debate at Sheroes in relation to the ongoing and raging #MeToo protest. And the debate lead to the discovery of a firebrand HR person who recalled that even before #MeToo happened, how she stood by a colleague in her former organization, to ensure that the victim got justice.
Rather than penning her story myself, I now let Rohini give words to her voice and what I would call a 'heroic act.' ROHINI PRAJAPATI WRITES...
" I would describe myself as a person who tries to explore the world. After completing MBA from IIPM I worked for about 10 years in different companies in New Delhi and grew as an HR. My core competence has always been Talent Acquisition and Talent Management. I left my career to take care of my little munchkin and shifted as a parenting blogger and writer. At present, I am an active member of woman's only app Sheroes, a published Author and a blogger in Momspresso and Indiblogger. I had never thought that my life would change after a gap. It's been 4 years now and I am enjoying my writer's life.
A few years back in one of my previous Organisations, one of my junior colleagues came to me and she seemed very disturbed. Upon asking she said that her immediate boss is passing inappropriate remarks to her. I could understand what she meant to say and immediately took her to my immediate supervisor who was also a female. She heard the whole matter and we went to our HOD. Upon listening, he suggested to give everything in writing and follow the SHW rules. Every professional company has an SHW policy and it is very necessary for every female employee to know about the rules. This committee always has a female person as the Chairperson. So, the case went to them, the guy was found guilty and was asked to leave immediately.
(Also Read these 15+ Laws That Protect Women in India)
But to our surprise, his boss was not ready to leave him because he was handling some critical work. Though he said that the guilty would apologize. But the committee was against it and even the girl. I got furious but I had trust in our management and that is what I told her also. It was a difficult situation for me because I could support her only professionally. This news was kept confidential as the girl did not want to make it public and so it was my job to respect her decision. I kept her guiding whom to approach when to talk, what to talk. Though there was hush-hush in the office, but we made sure that no one asks the girl any sort of question.
The best part was that the management immediately shifted her to a new department and the guilty was asked to be at home. After few days of struggle and follow-ups, finally that guilty was terminated. I could see a sigh of relief on her face. And we all felt like winners. We were happy that the management placed an employee's dignity over the work.
I am a kind of person who is a true professional. I never discussed this with my family. I was really lucky to have a boss who guided me when I got furious. I left the organization after a couple of months. I was happy that before leaving I could help my friend and was proud to be a part of a great Organisation.
One suggestion that I would want to give every female employee is to approach the HR and talk to them. Often HR is seen as a pool of people who are sitting only for salaries and salary deductions. Please don't keep quiet and approach them, keeping quiet will only add to the problem making it very critical. Try to stand by the victim directly or indirectly. If you don't have any female HR then approach the male HR. If you are not being heard then write a mail to the management. These things are taken up very seriously in Companies. Thank you SHEROES for letting me come out with MY STORY to inspire others who need it the most at this hour, to fight the trauma of sexual harassment."
(Here's How You can be Safe from Sexual Harassment in Your Workplace)
And at SHEROES we would love to hug Rohini Prajapati for her strength that will go a long way to motivate every woman who wants to stand against injustice. Kudos!
Here's the Community Chat where the #MeToo Discussion Took place!