IBM says there'll be no glass ceiling for women

Thursday, 07 November 2002, 20:30 IST
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BANGALORE: Men need not turn blue over this, but Big Blue says it will make sure there is no glass ceiling for women in its Indian operations, in line with its policy worldwide. "We are setting up a council of women to look at issues like the HR (human resources) processes that could be perceived but may not have been implemented," said Abraham Thomas, managing director of IBM India. "It's not a reservation policy of any kind. It is based on merit. It is basically an effort to develop female leadership in the business," Thomas told IANS here on the sidelines of a women leadership conference organized by IBM, popularly referred to as Big Blue. The conference, attended by about 100 IBM women leaders, is meant to create stronger peer networks and identify the business challenges that women face in the high-tech arena. Company officials said IBM's interest in this subject has existed since 1935 when its founder, Thomas J. Watson, announced that men and women would do the same kind of work for equal pay. Of IBM's 170,000 technical workers, about 20 percent are women. "Women bring a different perspective to our business," said a statement from IBM, the world's largest IT company. "Women are our customers (9.1 million women owned businesses or about 40 percent). We need to design develop and market our products to women." At the conference, Roopa Kudva, executive director and chief rating officer of Crisil, said: "Women are being evaluated professionally though there is occupational segregation in terms of 'his' jobs and 'her' jobs in Indian companies. "It is in the company's interest to create the enabling environment for women. Women, in general, are more loyal and, even if they take a mid-career break, it pays to invest in women," Kudva said. But she said women should not expect special treatment. "The attitude that you bring to the workplace is all that matters. Women should not expect any special treatment or concessions, especially at the top. "The moment you see giving up family life as a sacrifice, then you will not be reaching the top. Once you make the choice, you stick to it." Women holding top positions in Singapore, Indonesia and other places in IBM also addressed the conference.
Source: IANS
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