 "Everything is a regret for me: Phaneesh Murthy")
Just a couple of hours after iGate issued a statement announcing termination of the employment contract of Phaneesh Murthy, its president and chief executive officer, he addressed queries of journalists in India through a conference call. He claimed a personal relationship with iGate’s head of investor relations, Araceli Roiz, and no breach of company policy, saying he’d informed it a few weeks earlier, after terminating the relationship. Excerpts from the interview:
When were the charges filed?
Probably a few days ago because the legal notice went to the company (iGate) directly. This relates to a relationship I had with her over the past few months.
What was its nature? Just a friendship or more?
What does the company policy say on this?
That when two people in the company have a relationship, it has to be informed, with a small note in an employee handbook somewhere. Basically, you have to inform your superiors.
Did you?
I did. I informed the chairman.
But why do they claim you did not inform?
I don’t know. You have to address this to the company. I think it is a question of timing.
Did you inform them in writing or just inform them?
It does not matter. I did inform.
Were you given an opportunity to present your side of the case to the board?
No.
What is going to be your next course of action; are you going to contest it?
I don’t know if she is going to file it in a court of law. If she does, obviously I am going to contest this. If she does not, then there is nothing to contest. My course of action will be more reactive, obviously, at this moment.
Do you think the action against you is a case of boardroom battle or one of extortion?
Without question, a case of extortion. The reality is that ever since the first case (sexual harassment case against Murthy during his Infosys days) went public, everybody feels they have an absolute easy way to collect money on whatever pretext. I don’t want to comment on the question of boardroom battle.
Why did it happen with you for a second time?
The fact is that much water has flown under the bridge now. The bigger question is, was it sexual harassment? The answer is absolutely no.
Why would the same person be charged for sexual misconduct twice?
It is the same lawyer who was working in the previous case and is now engaged in the present case.
You said you will contest the charges. Will you approach the court against your termination or sexual harassment?
All my options are open. All this happened very suddenly today. I have to figure out my options. I have to talk to the advisors and the lawyers.
How are the employees reacting to the charges against you?
They are overwhelmingly supporting me. I have very good support; many of the employees are potentially wanting to resign. I am getting messages from many who say they don’t believe in it.
After the fresh controversy, where do you see yourself? Do you think you have to start your career afresh, again?
I have to really think about what I want to do, and how this plays out would probably be a determinant on that. I do hope that it ends up in court and I am quite confident that I will win it.
If you win the case, will the company take you back?
I don’t know. That is something you will have to ask the company. But I don’t think so.
What is the severance package the company is offering you?
Let me not talk about any of the termination benefits right now. Anything that happens to me will be public and you will be able to get to know that soon.
Any regret over the relationship? Do you think you could have managed the whole issue differently?
This is a difficult question to answer. Obviously, now, with all the things that happened, everything is a regret. There is no question about it.
When were the charges filed?
Probably a few days ago because the legal notice went to the company (iGate) directly. This relates to a relationship I had with her over the past few months.
What was its nature? Just a friendship or more?
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More than a friendship but I will leave it at a personal relationship.
What does the company policy say on this?
That when two people in the company have a relationship, it has to be informed, with a small note in an employee handbook somewhere. Basically, you have to inform your superiors.
Did you?
I did. I informed the chairman.
But why do they claim you did not inform?
I don’t know. You have to address this to the company. I think it is a question of timing.
Did you inform them in writing or just inform them?
It does not matter. I did inform.
Were you given an opportunity to present your side of the case to the board?
No.
What is going to be your next course of action; are you going to contest it?
I don’t know if she is going to file it in a court of law. If she does, obviously I am going to contest this. If she does not, then there is nothing to contest. My course of action will be more reactive, obviously, at this moment.
Do you think the action against you is a case of boardroom battle or one of extortion?
Without question, a case of extortion. The reality is that ever since the first case (sexual harassment case against Murthy during his Infosys days) went public, everybody feels they have an absolute easy way to collect money on whatever pretext. I don’t want to comment on the question of boardroom battle.
Why did it happen with you for a second time?
The fact is that much water has flown under the bridge now. The bigger question is, was it sexual harassment? The answer is absolutely no.
Why would the same person be charged for sexual misconduct twice?
It is the same lawyer who was working in the previous case and is now engaged in the present case.
You said you will contest the charges. Will you approach the court against your termination or sexual harassment?
All my options are open. All this happened very suddenly today. I have to figure out my options. I have to talk to the advisors and the lawyers.
How are the employees reacting to the charges against you?
They are overwhelmingly supporting me. I have very good support; many of the employees are potentially wanting to resign. I am getting messages from many who say they don’t believe in it.
After the fresh controversy, where do you see yourself? Do you think you have to start your career afresh, again?
I have to really think about what I want to do, and how this plays out would probably be a determinant on that. I do hope that it ends up in court and I am quite confident that I will win it.
If you win the case, will the company take you back?
I don’t know. That is something you will have to ask the company. But I don’t think so.
What is the severance package the company is offering you?
Let me not talk about any of the termination benefits right now. Anything that happens to me will be public and you will be able to get to know that soon.
Any regret over the relationship? Do you think you could have managed the whole issue differently?
This is a difficult question to answer. Obviously, now, with all the things that happened, everything is a regret. There is no question about it.