By Elasya Richards
As women continue to break barriers and soar to new heights across various fields, we turn our attention to one remarkable lawyer who is championing a cause close to many, advocating for workplace wellness.
Women have undoubtedly made significant strides in their fight for equal rights. It was only 60 to 70 years ago that Malaysian women gained the right to vote in a General Election. Since then, women—both past and present—have continually risen to the challenge of proving their capabilities in the eyes of society.
Yet, as more women enter the workforce, new and complex obstacles have emerged. From persistent gender pay gaps to instances of sexual harassment, the fight for equality in the workplace is far from over.
One crucial but often overlooked component of this struggle is workplace wellness. Beyond physical health, workplace wellness encompasses mental well-being, fair treatment, and safe, supportive environments—areas where many women still face systemic disadvantages.
In a recent interview, we spoke with Sharmila Ravindran, a lawyer and founder of Ravindran Associates & Solicitors. She generously shared insights from her professional journey, including stories of clients, especially women, for whom she has tirelessly advocated in the pursuit of justice.
With years of legal experience, Sharmila offers a unique perspective on the structural issues that undermine workplace wellness and the solutions she has implemented, both within her own firm and for the clients she represents. This article delves into her experiences and highlights the intersection of law, gender equity, and the ongoing fight to ensure wellness and justice in the workplace.
1Twenty80: Can you share a bit about yourself and your journey in law?
Sharmila Ravindran: I was called to the Malaysian Bar in 2004. I come from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, so I did my pupillage in Seremban for 9 months before I moved to Kuala Lumpur to embark on my journey as a young lawyer.
I started my practice in litigation and have since been doing litigation and dispute resolution for my clients. After working for several law firms over the years, I set up my own law firm in 2011 under the name Ravindran Advocates & Solicitors. The whole purpose of setting up my own law firm was to focus on clients that I wanted to grow with. Some of my clients have been with me since before 2011.
We are now a boutique legal practice based in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, catering specifically for business owners. We focus our practice on corporate advisory and commercial disputes and litigation.
1Twenty80: What are some key milestones in your career that you’re most proud of?
Sharmila: I have had several of my decisions as an Adjudicator upheld on appeal, so those make me very proud. I’ve won some cases for clients who really needed a win.
For example, a pregnant mother who came looking for me from Melaka, hoping I’d be able to set aside bankruptcy proceedings filed against her after 12 years. Someone had forged her signature and put her name up as a guarantor for a bank facility. We successfully set it aside and cleared her name after several years of battling a local bank.
I had a multi-million Ringgit shareholder dispute that went on for 15 year,s and we finally put it to rest by giving the client a huge win. The family business was restored, and they are still running a very successful business today.
1Twenty80: What challenges have you faced in your legal career, and how did you overcome them?
Ms. Sharmila: Legal practice isn’t for the faint-hearted. There have been multiple times when I thought I would throw in the towel and change career paths.
For a period of my life, I had serious health issues that I could not speak about with my bosses, and as such, I bottled it up and dealt with chronic pain with medications, but that interfered with my career progression, stamina, and ability to perform.
I was faced with my own frustration at my body working against me for years. But I persevered and after multiple surgeries and help from wonderful doctors, I am fully recovered now and able to do everything I have wanted.
Bullying and discrimination at the workplace isn’t something new; I have experienced that over the years when I was employed. Even now, as a business owner, there are times when I am discriminated against for being a female litigation lawyer. I’ve had a prospective client who refused to hire us for a construction dispute on the basis we were an all-women law firm at that time.
1Twenty80: If you could give advice to your 16-year-old self, what would it be?
Ms. Sharmila: You are your first priority. Love yourself and care for yourself first. Work on yourself, know who you are, what values and principles you stand for, this will carry you through your darkest days.
1Twenty80: Why is advocating for women’s wellness in the workplace so important to you?
Sharmila: I am one of the founding members of a non-profit organisation called Lean In Malaysia, which is a volunteer platform that focuses on women in corporate Malaysia. I was also the Co-Chair of the Gender Equality and Diversity Committee under the Kuala Lumpur Bar for 2 terms.
In both these roles and also from my own lived experience, I have noticed that there is a gap in matters concerning women at the workplace, whether it’s pay equity, discrimination, social protection and well-being at wor,k including harassment, bullying, and sexual harassment.
All of which contribute to women leaving the workforce. This has to be addressed from a socio-economic perspective. There’s a lot of work that has to be done to narrow the gap.
1Twenty80: What practical steps can women take to improve their well-being at work?
Sharmila: Know the law first. Read up on your rights under the Employment Act, the Anti Sexual Harassment Act, and OSHA. Next, check with your HR Department on what policies and procedures have been implemented within your organisation to protect you. Finally, you need to know yourself, understand what your own trigger points are, manage and monitor your own stress level,s and learn to communicate and verbalise that with your employers.
1Twenty80: What are some of the biggest struggles women face when it comes to workplace wellness?
Sharmila: Women in the workplace often face unique challenges that impact their overall well-being. Some of the biggest struggles include:
- Work-life balance: Many women juggle career demands with caregiving responsibilities, leading to burnout and stress.
- Unequal career progression: Workplace cultures may still favour men for leadership roles, leaving women with fewer opportunities for advancement.
- Health considerations: Women-specific health issues like menopause, pregnancy, and menstrual health are often overlooked in workplace policies.
- Bias and discrimination: Gender bias, pay gaps, and workplace harassment create additional mental and emotional stress.
- Lack of flexible work arrangements: While hybrid and flexible work setups can help, not all organizations offer them, making it harder for women to manage their personal and professional lives effectively.
To improve workplace wellness for women, companies must implement policies that address these challenges, such as flexible work options, fair promotion pathways, and better support for women’s health.
1Twenty80: As a lawyer, how do you play a role in advocating for better workplace wellness?
Sharmila:
- Advising companies on fair employment policies – Ensuring that workplace policies comply with labour laws, promote equality, and support employee well-being.
- Drafting and reviewing workplace policies – Helping organizations create inclusive policies on harassment, maternity leave, menopause support, and flexible work arrangements.
- Handling workplace disputes – Representing employees or employers in cases of unfair treatment, discrimination, or wrongful termination, ensuring justice is served.
- Educating businesses on compliance – Conducting seminars and training on workplace wellness, employee rights, and legal obligations to foster a healthier work environment.
- Advocating for policy changes – Working with stakeholders to push for legal reforms that enhance workplace wellness protections for all employees, especially women.
By taking a proactive legal approach, I help create workplaces where women feel valued, protected, and empowered to thrive.
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