Working the night shift? Life has been a struggle for me, but I have managed it and today I have no complaints. Instead, keeping in mind the safety risks for women, companies could adopt measures to protect women employees during night shifts. Ensure your safety with these tips, Suggest nearby police centres and stations, Send messages, current location, and call emergency contacts, Warn you about ‘unsafe spots’ based on other women’s feedback, Help your emergency contacts track your movement, 5 Female heroes of the COVID-19 global pandemic, 7 Tips to organise a wedding during the pandemic, Here’s how you can protect your kids from COVID-19 as schools reopen, Coronavirus safety precautions for expecting mothers, 5 Fun alternatives to video calls when you want to stay connected. Civic Issues. Facts and Laws – Rights, safeguards for working women The Factories Act 1. If you sense something suspicious and are alone, use one of these apps to alert the watchman, your manager, colleagues, family, and friends. Allow shift workers to structure their tasks: Realize that night shift workers may need to break up monotonous tasks more than those on the day shift. It was discrimination on the basis of sex and gender and therefore unconstitutional. I was a young widow with a 3 year old son when my husband passed away due to a heart attack. It will describe measures employers and employees can take at work to reduce any adverse effects of night or shift work. In fact, the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, and the Factories Act, 1948, were amended quite recently allowing all women to work night shifts. The removal of prohibition of Women Employees Working in Night Shifts came with guidelines: Safety Measures for Women Employees Working in Night Shifts. The Labour and Employment Department, Tamil Nadu (“Department”) has issued amendments to the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950 on 26 th April, 2017. While it is true that there are safety concerns for women working at night, the solution is not to ban night shift work, thereby depriving women of potential job opportunities. Such is the impact women’s contribution can have on the workforce. The prevalence of shift work has spurred multiple studies on its potential adverse effects on employee health and safety. When more women work in night shifts, no woman will be alone at office. In fact, in 1919, International Labour Organisation had completely prohibited women from working at night. Some states like Karnataka even banned night shifts for women, ostensibly to control instances of crimes against women. If at all they work overtime, only 2 hours over time is allowed. Physical Affect / Performance Working unusual hours has a huge effect on both your mental and physical health. Factories Act 1948 did not have provisions for women to work past 7 pm. They have a special emergency number for women in case they need immediate assistance. It is the buzz that I need once in a year in my laidback post-retirement life. Women have always been advised not to leave their homes after it gets dark. Similar to IT/ITeS establishments in the state of Karnataka, employers are now permitted to engage women employees in their factories during night hours, from 7 pm until 6 am. • Female employees should be provided job jointly or in group. 5 Challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, 5 Social networking groups every woman should join. Safety Of Women Employees During Night Shift - PDF Download ... Hope fully this things will definitely help you to have more peaceful nights. An identity proof also helps you in unforeseen situations where passersby can identify you and contact your kin immediately. I … Essentially, it meant the rule on opening and closing hours of the shop did not apply to software outfits. Here are some tips to ensure your safety. This is the time of the year when unavoidable expenses are bound to upset your budget plans, and you can do little about it. In several industries, women are now legally allowed to work in night shifts, and employers are responsible for their safety. Provision of company transport for women working in night shifts both to and from the workplace ... such measures in place There is a lot of concern about the safety of women employees working in night shifts and the issue has been clearly addressed and stringent guidelines set for the establishments and shops employing women. night work. I like to celebrate the occasion, get the house painted or renovated, buy gifts for my dear ones or go on a vacation. Indian women, especially those from joint families are often expected to take care of the home meticulously as well as do night shifts. This facility ensures that your company takes full responsibility for your safety till the time you reach home. Several attacks on women employees in recent times, especially in cities, have raised concerns about safety of Women Employees Working in Night Shifts. Here are a few ways these apps help you: Above all, be aware of your surroundings. According to health and safety authorities every individual employer must undertake a risk assessment test to measure the risks when working at night and if it is possible for the worker to be working at night in the first place. Ensure your safety with these tips and you won’t have to think twice about working late into the night at the office. Every organisation that asks its employees to work night shifts is required to provide them with a pickup-and-drop facility – a driver, in a vehicle hired by the company, picks up the employees from the office and drops them home. Work schedules like these may cause worker fatigue. Sufficient women security shall be provided both at the entry and exit. Irregular rosters, long hours and shift work, particularly night shifts, create and/or worsen a range of OHS hazards. Mining companies should provide training and support focusing on coping mechanisms for women working … Long periods of extended shifts and long continuous hours of work can undermine the safety and health of those who work them, and the safety of other employees and members of the public. If possible, choose well-lit streets to travel at night. “The bill will be placed in the first legislature session of 2020 from Feburary 17-21 and passed in its budge session from March 2. Also, ensure that there’s a security person present in the vehicle until the last employee is dropped home. Yes, it does. Amenities and Facilities: Sufficient number of rest rooms to be provided. The following throws some light on the burning issue.Protection under the Factories Act, 1948:The Factories Act, 1948 bans the employment of women beyond sunset, under Section 66, it says that "No woman shall be required or allowed to work in any factory except between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m." However, state governments could make rules providing for exemption to women in fish curing and fish canning industries where workers were needed at night to prevent damage to raw material. This exemption had inbuilt safeguards: it would be reviewed every three years and hours for women extended only up to 9 p.m.Labour laws concerning night shifts have been reviewed from time to time. Here's what the law says about This article is part of a special series: Safety of women in Indian cities The gruesome rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad recently shocked our country. It will provide equal opportunities to men and women. The report of the National Commission on Labour 2002 said, "On the question of night work for women, there need not be any restriction if the number of women workers in a shift in an establishment is not less than five and if the management is able to provide satisfactory arrangements for their transport, safety and rest after or before shift hours. If your company hasn’t been providing you this perk, talk to your manager immediately. Thus, an amendment to Factories Act 1948 came into existence in 200… COPYRIGHT © 2015-2020 Transamerica Direct Marketing Consultants Private Limited. It is not intended as a legal interpretation of the legislation. Ever since I retired, I have looked forward to the festive season with added zeal. If walking by yourself, get off your cell phone. The Department in November notified that factories can allow women to work on night shift from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. with adequate safety measures. Instead of discouraging women from working in night shifts, safety measures should be improved. Ensure your safety with these tips Working the night shift? Gender gap will be reduced. Safety concerns are a major reason why many women refuse to take up night shifts. While a … I lost my husband just 5 years into my marriage. Boarding and Lodging, if made any, the same shall be kept exclusively for women. There’s a chance that they might intercept your vehicle, as part of a routine check. They had to maintain a record showing hours of work, including overtime work. The employer shall appoint not less than two female wardens per night shift who shall work as Special Welfare Assistants. The employer shall provide proper lighting in and around the factory where the female workers may move, security at entry and exit points, all-female transportation facility where it is provided, separate canteen facility, at least 12 consecutive hours of rest or gap between shifts, two female wardens and a fortnightly report to the Inspector of Factories about the details of female night shift employees.Section 25 of the Karnataka State Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961 prohibits employment of women and young persons at night.However, the Karnataka government issued a notification exempting Information Technology and Information Technology enabled Services (IT-ITeS) establishments from the this section subject to the condition that the establishment provides transportation and security to women employees and subject to any other condition as may be specified in the notification.Suggested Protection that should be extended is:Send security guard in the Company transport while odd hours for pick/drop from/to the nearest of the women eployee's home.Allow group of women employees to work in night shift instead of employing single women employee.Provide atleast one male staff on cab during odd hours shift and he should take last Pick/Drop for female's safety.Provide corporate mobile connection to all girls and tell them to inform, in case, they face any problem.Hire employees from nearby area so that commuting during odd hours should be less and it will be safe. It is believed that if men and women participate equally in the workplace, India’s GDP could increase by up to 60 percent by 2025. Most people will be affected by working shift work and/or extended hours. How to protect them from such attacks? When news of the gang rape of a 23-year-old student in New Delhi broke out, one of the fastest sectors to react was the IT and outsourcing industry. The Factories Act 1948, under Section 66, banned working of women in night shifts by stating that no women shall be required or allowed to work in any factory … 1. Then, what are all the statutory provisions available in our Country for the Women Employees Working in Night Shifts safely? Safer night shifts for women in IT, BPOs; ... safety measures for women employees is an ongoing process and doesn’t come to light only when incidents such as the Delhi rape case pop up. While some of these numbers are state-specific, there are some that work in every corner of the country, such as 100 (police control room), 101 (Ambulance) and 1091/1090 (National Commission for Women). Higher legal marriage age of women: How will it help them? The contact details of women employees are not shared with cab drivers anymore. Sleep disturbance is common among shift workers, and may be an important factor in the effect of shift work on chronic disease development. "The bill will be placed in the first legislature session of 2020 from Feburary 17-21 and passed in its Budget session from March 2. "The Government of Tamil Nadu exempted the Software Industries in the State from the Chapter II of the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act, 1947. Safety of Women Night Workers in India. Though night shift was in practice from long time, it was legally not approved till recently. If you are one of these courageous women, here are some tips that’ll help you ensure your safety: Today there are apps for anything and everything – including ensuring your safety. However, I have made it a point to have a look at the… Read more. 4. Note the number of the vehicle or just take a picture of the number plate and send it to your family members. Denying work in night shift for women amount to depriving them chances of equal opportunity. The Department in November notified that factories can allow women to work on night shift from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. with adequate safety measures. Working women ensured that they were home by 7 pm. With changing times, in 1990, the ILO adopted a protocol to allow women to work at night. How should you handle your finances after a divorce? In such situations, an identity card provided by your company would prove to be very helpful. Real-life stories of women who inspired me to never give up, Government schemes that can help women entrepreneurs in India grow their small businesses. However, keeping in mind the recent happenings, the government has framed certain norms and measures to protect women who work at late nights. • Every vehicle transporting women employees be issued special pass. No women employee shall be asked to come for night shift for more than 15 days.For both factories and commercial establishments maximum permissible working hours in day is capped at 9 hours and in a week is capped at 48 hours. In this cross-sectional study, we described sleep patterns of 294 female hospital workers (142 alternating day-night shift workers, 152 day workers) and determined associations between shift work and sleep duration. Measures to Protect Women Working in Night Shifts • Special arrangements should be made for protection of female employees working before 6AM and after 8.30 PM including transport. The employer shall appoint not less than two female wardens per night shift who shall work as Special Welfare Assistants. All Rights Reserved. Mining companies should enhance their security and safety measures in order to create a safe environment for women that are working the night shift. Hence, ensure that you have at least some of the following identity proofs on you at all times: The government and police force have many emergency numbers that can help put citizens directly in contact with the concerned person in the system. My parents were my rock… Read more. Safety Measures for Women Employees Working in Night Shifts Several attacks on women employees in recent times, especially in cities, have raised concerns about safety of Women Employees Working in Night Shifts. Factory employers are required to comply with certain health, safety and security conditions while engaging women employees during night hours. Apps like Safecity, My Safetipin, and bSafe allow you to seek help and alert people when you are in an unsafe location or situation. For a long time, they followed this advice. Now, cases against the Company heads are trialed in the Court. These things… Read more, A couple of years ago I was over the moon after landing my first job. Tamil Nadu allows shops to be open 24*7; safety of women employees to be ensured. ... we all might hope for building a better and safe future for women working in night shifts. Is interpersonal skill is a required quality of a HR Proressional. The police usually have patrol duties at night. During night shift, not less than one-third of the supervisor shift in charge or other supervisory staff shall be women. By virtue of the amendment, guidelines have been prescribed for employing women during night shifts in factories. Among the studies is 2017 research from Chinese and Dutch scientists that found permanent night shift workers are 29 percent more likely to become overweight or obese than workers on rotating shifts. I am a single mother of one. No woman employee can be forced to work after 7:00 pm. If they are doing physically demanding or dangerous work, you want them performing it when they are at the most alert point during their shift. Radhika in Chetan Bhagat’s bestselling novel One Night @ the Call Centre had to juggle the demands of her whining in-laws with her office work. Is it a good idea to quit your job after maternity leave? night and shift work. Don’t hold back from working night shifts. These could include: Despite these challenges, a considerable number of women in India are opting for night shifts. You can show it as proof that you work night shifts. Nevertheless, pressure to work shift work – and particularly extended shifts – is increasing. Women employees shall be permitted to work in all shifts provided employer ensures occupational health, equal opportunity for women workers, safety, and adequate protection of their dignity, honour and transportation from the company premises to their residence. Many American workers spend over 40 hours a week at work and almost 15 million work full time on evening, night, rotating or other irregular shifts. A visitor book should be maintained and produced for an authorised inspector to record his remarks about defects noticed by him.The removal of prohibition of Women Employees Working in Night Shifts came with guidelines:Women employees should be protected from sexual harassment and provided with appropriate working conditions in respect of work, leisure, health and hygiene. This guide will increase your understanding of night and shift work and its potential impact on health and safety. Now, cases against the Company heads are trialed in the Court. We, however, observe that while permitting female employees to work during the night shift, it will be a condition precedent upon the employer to make adequate measures for the safety and security of the female employees who would work during the night shift and the entire provisions of the Act including the ones relating to welfare and working hours should be strictly followed even during the night shifts. With gargantuan credit card bills and barely any cash left, I had no other option but to default the payment… Read more, It is highly unlikely that all the expenses made during the festive season were worth making in the first place. I celebrated regally during the festive season that ensued, only to land in a financial soup for the next few months. 5 Ways to increase your financial security as an independent woman, Tips to bounce back financially after a divorce, 5 Women entrepreneurs divulge the habits that help them succeed, Leadership lessons new-age moms can learn from Kamala Harris, Benefits of buying a property in a woman's name. But what ever is the measure we take to solve this problem we need to have a close watch on things happening. Long work hours and irregular work shifts are common in our society. How to keep ourselves away from the clutches of the laws of the Country? A lot of people think that being on the phone is safe because the person on the other line can call 911, but that rarely works out. Be an important factor in the effect of shift work and its potential adverse effects of night and work! Alone at office only to land in a financial soup for the next months... 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