Tech Mahindra sacks employee involved in sexual discrimination

Tech Mahindra, an Information Technology giant has reportedly fired its employee Richa Gautam, who has been accused of harassment and discrimination against a gay man. It was the first case after the Supreme Court of India abolished the section 377, and legalised homosexuality in India.

Ex-employee of Tech Mahindra wrote a letter to the company in which, he cited a 2015 incident where the manager Richa Gautam  had allegedly made “sweeping generalisation and stereotyping of someone’s sexuality.” He further said, Pramanik recalled incidents when his diversity officer Gautam used to humiliate him over his sexual orientation.

Pramanik recalled of an incident when Gautam asked an officer who was weeping if he was gay, and exhibited Islamophobia calling Muslims a global pain. Pramanik also mentioned in the letter that he left the workplace due to the relentless humiliation he faced.

When former employee complaint about the incident, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra took to microblogging site Twitter and assured him saying, “The company is investigating the matter and “will ascertain the facts and see that the outcome is fair and just”.

Even the Company’s official handle had tweeted about the incident and called it against the ethos of Mahindra group that believes in the uniqueness of every individual. They also assured saying our team will be in touch with you.

After investigating the matter, Tech Mahindra fired the concerned officer and informed about the news on Twitter.

@gauravpramanik Hi Gaurav, This is indeed disturbing and completely against the ethos of our group that believes in the uniqueness of every individual. We will do a thorough investigation and take steps as necessary. Our team will  be in touch with you.

— Tech Mahindra (@tech_mahindra) September 11, 2018

Tech Mahindra tweeted, @gauravpramanik, arising out of an investigation carried out in the matter, the concerned employee has been separated from the employment of the company with immediate effect. At Tech Mahindra, we believe in diversity & inclusion & condemn discrimination of any kind in the workplace.