An apparel manufacturing company having large number of women employees was losing sales due to various factors. The company hired a reputed marketing executive, who increased the volume of sales within a short span of time. However, some unconfirmed reports came up regarding his indulgence in sexual harassment at the work place. After sometime, a woman employee lodged a formal complaint to the management against the marketing executive about sexually harassing her. Faced with the company’s indifference in not taking cognizance of her grievance, she lodged an FIR with the Police. Realizing the sensitivity and gravity of the situation, the company called the woman employee to negotiate. In that she was offered a hefty sum of money to withdraw the complaint and the FIR and also give in writing that the marketing executive is not involved in the case.

(1) Ethics of Company v. Growth and Profit. (2) Sexual Harassment at Workplace (3) Personal Gain v. Morality

Sexual Harassment at Workplace

It is a sad reality of India. ↳ Unethical practice striking at core of Gender equity and adding on the myriad prejudices operating against the women. ↳ Despite measures like Vishaka guidelines, POSH Act etc., it has continued

unabated due to stigma, victim shaming, poor implementation etc.

Company's CEO and Morality ↳ Company seen as a leader in Gender Justice ↳ CEO's actions are against the company's ethics and optics. ↳ Placing profits over employee wellbeing might have disastrous ramifications on other employees and entail harm in the long run. ↳ Sets bad precedent since there have been earlier reports too, might have a chilling effect on other victims.

Options Available to Woman (1) Accept Money, Withdraw Complaint → Merits ↳ Save Company's reputation ↳ Avoid personal hardship, job loss ↳ Possible promotion and rewards

→ Demerits ↳ Betray personal values like integrity ↳ Legitimise executive's actions and incentivise him to continue ↳ Bad precedent for other women willing to speak up

(2) Refuse CEO's offer, pursue complaint → Merits ↳ Happiness and satisfaction when in consonance with internal values ↳ Expose executive and prevent future cases ↳ Serve as a role model for peers ↳ Safeguard self-respect and esteem

→ Demerits ↳ Potential job loss and unemployability ↳ Company's reputation degraded ↳ Victim shaming and smear campaign ↳ Long drawn battle can mentally exhaust her

(3) Convince the CEO to take action • Merits ↳ Company sets a good example and may gain positively ↳ Executive gets punished ↳ Retain job, and increase in stature within the company. • Demerits