Five out of 10 Indian employees face discrimination: Study

While gender-, age- and qualification-based biases exist in companies, discrimination based on caste and religion have become almost obsolete

Five out of ten employees in India Inc have experienced one or the other kind of discrimination, said a study by staffing firm TeamLease Services. In its latest survey ‘Bias@Workplace’, the firm said that India Inc (mainly in the top 8 cities) is yet to adopt the concept of equal opportunity in its true sense. The report indicated the strong prevalence of discriminatory practices while recruiting and at work.
 
The survey pointed that while gender, age and qualification based biases existed in companies, discrimination based on caste and religion have become almost obsolete. Discrimination at workplace based on qualification goes as high as 50%.
 

 

Another revelation of the survey showed that a higher percentages (54%) of younger generation between 21 to 35 years are reported to have experienced discrimination as compared to employees above 50 years.
 
Surabhi Mathur Gandhi, Senior Vice-President, TeamLease Services said, "While community and caste have ceased to be common occurrences, India Inc still has a long way to go before the work environment becomes truly bias free.  Underlying preferential treatment is still witnessed in varying circumstances, debilitating the growth of the work force, especially women. It is very important for companies to have a clear policy on discrimination with proper enforcement; else productivity will be adversely affected."
 
The TeamLease study further reflected that pregnant women or women with young children are at a relative disadvantage, both during the recruitment process as well as vying for opportunities at the workplace. "While the percentage for this is not high, it is only desirable that the discrimination is completely eradicated from the system. The study also goes on to say that, although not significantly, but good looks are considered an added advantage in some metros like Pune and Mumbai," the report said.
 

 

The majority (more than 80%) of employees surveyed also said that family planning is a personal affair and that the employer should not ask such questions at the time of interview, according to the report. Majority of respondents also expressed openness to the concept of medical tests.

From a geographical perspective, Delhi was shown to be practicing discrimination rampantly. The other two cities where discrimination is perceived to be practiced are Pune and Chennai at 85% and 78% respectively.
 
The survey, conducted by Market Search IPL for TeamLease, covered 800 companies across the top eight cities in India - New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad. The respondents’ profile ranged between the age group of 21 to above 60 years with 70% from 21-35 years of age. From a profile perspective, 59% of the respondents were from the junior level, 26% from middle management and 15% from the senior level.

M&A in insurance

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April 2012: Japan’s Mitsui Sumitomo (a unit of MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings) announces buying of 26% stake in Max New York Life for Rs 2,731 crore. The life insurer re-branded Max Life Insurance Company, as the US-based New York Life exited the joint venture after nearly 10 years.

July 2012: Tata AIG rechristened as TATA AIA following exit of American International Group (AIG) from Hong Kong-based insurer AIA Group

September 2012: Irda approved the 30% stake purchase by Punjab National Bank in MetLife India Insurance

January 2013: Exide Industries decides to acquire 50% remaining stake in ING Vysya Life Insurance for Rs 550 crore, subject to regulatory approvals. ING exits venture.

March 2013: Pantaloon Retail enters into agreement with Industrial Investment Trust Limited (IITL) to sell 22.5% of its stake in Future General India Life Insurance.

March 2013: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and the Future Group sign non-binding term sheet for the merger of L&T General Insurance and Future Generali India Insurance. Post this merger, L&T will hold 51% stake in the merged entity and 26% will be held by the foreign partner.

July 2013: DLF signed an agreement to sell its 74% equity stake in its life insurance joint venture DLF Pramerica Life Insurance to Dewan Housing Finance Limited (DHFL).