IT hub body suggests work party dos and don’ts | Kolkata News – Times of India

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KOLKATA: In the season of workplace functions, Sector V Stakeholders’ Association is working on a set of recommendations for IT companies on appropriate behaviour at parties so that women don’t feel out of place and the events don’t go off the rails. An awareness campaign to this effect will start soon.
Kalyan Kar, vice-president, Sector V Stakeholders’ Association, told TOI on Saturday, “Irrespective of incidents, of which we have no first-hand knowledge, we are putting together guidelines on behaviour at social functions, especially the privately organized ones, and where normal workplace protocol may go awry.”

Safety

The association, which has more than a 100 members – mostly from Sector V – will be conducting regular workshops sensitising both men and women employees on party protocol and individual safety. “It’s not fair to tell only the women to be cautious. The awareness drive must include men within the same work circle. Since there is no one to police them, both men and women should behave responsibly in parties,” said S Radhakrishnan, president, Sector V Stakeholders’ Association, and executive director and president, Infinity Infotech IT Parks.
The guidelines are being worked out for two categories – company parties and events put together by individual employees. “Our focus is more on the second. Assuming checks and balances are already in place in company functions because of absolute organizational involvement, women become more vulnerable in events privately organized by their colleagues. The workshops will tell them to be more aware while attending these parties. Based on our recommendations, the best practices should be implemented because human resources are the ultimate asset in the IT industry. The company should play a proactive role in ensuring women’s safety,” Kar said.
The awareness doesn’t end with the party ending. Companies and individuals must also ensure the women employees return home safely. “An overall awareness to navigate such get-togethers is the need of the hour. The company she chooses for going home, the mode of transport, its location and the venue. These should be the organisation’s, as well as the individual’s, priority. With all boxes ticked, chances of untoward incidents are lower,” Kar said.
However, Sandip Sengupta, founder-director, Indian School of Anti-Hacking, said, “It’s difficult for employers to keep track of functions organized beyond office hours, in private spaces.”
A key area of private social functions is sexual harassment, especially where alcohol consumption gets out of hand and a woman may encounter behaviour that may offend, humiliate or intimidate her. The awareness drive will tell workers they will be held responsible for any such incident caused by drinking to excess. Sanhita Mukherjee, HR manager in a Sector V firm, said, “Women employees must be vigilant about the drink prepared, insisting it is mixed in front of them. I would dissuade my women colleagues from moving in unfamiliar crowds.”

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