TeamLease Services, India’s largest composite staffing company has pointed out that pharmaceutical industry in India, is yet to adopt the concept of equal opportunity in its true sense when it is engaged in hiring women.

It has conducted a survey in sectors like pharmaceuticals, information technology, finance, industrial, advertising, media, engineering, covering 800 companies  across eight cities of  New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad.  TeamLease has released the findings of its latest survey ‘Bias@Workplace’ as part of its series to understand ‘India’s New World of Work’. It was , conducted by Market Search IPL for TeamLease. The  respondents’ profile ranged between the age group of 21 to above 60 years with 70 per cent from 21-35 years of age. From a profile perspective 59 per cent of the respondents were from the junior level, 26 per cent from middle management and 15 per cent from the senior level.

In the companies, 5 out of 10 employees have experienced one or the other kinds of discrimination, indicating the strong prevalence of discriminatory practices while recruiting and at work, reports the survey.

The situation is not all that gloomy though discrimination on the basis of caste and religion have become almost obsolete, finds the study. However, prejudices based on qualification, gender and age in that order seem to be the most commonly practised biases. Discrimination at workplace based on qualification goes as high as 50 per cent

Further, the survey indicated that a higher percentages  of 54 per cent comprising  in the age group between  21 to 35 years reported to have experienced discrimination as compared to employees above 50 years. This may be contrary to popular belief but it seems that the older you grow, less discriminations you will face!

According to Surabhi Mathur Gandhi, senior vice-president TeamLease Services said, while  community and caste have ceased to be common occurrences, Indian companies have still  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 study revealed  that pregnant women and those with young children are  at a 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.

There also seems to be a message for the corporate world: more than 80 per cent employees, both males and females, feel 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 have expressed openness to the concept of medical tests, especially ELISA Test. From a geographical perspective, Delhi seems to be practising discrimination rampantly. The other two cities where discrimination is perceived to be practised are Pune and Chennai at 85 per cent and 78 per cent respectively.