Ex-CEO of Penguin

Sexual harassment is a serious offense that is fraught with risk such as losing your reputation and your job, particularly in a culturally sensitive society like India. It’s no wonder that male bosses are afraid to compliment their female colleagues or employees, without worrying about what it can be perceived as. India legal news reports an interesting twist in this context. David Davidar, the former CEO of the international publishing house, Penguin International and author of popular novels, such as The House of Blue Mangoes and The Solitude of Emperors, was sacked by the company on charges of sexual harassment.  Kerala-born, Chennai and Harvard-educated, 52 year old David was appointed as the CEO of the company in January 2010. David said that on a request by the company, he had earlier stated that his exit from the publishing house was ‘voluntary.’