Night Shifts for Women: Should They Be Required to Work Late Hours?

Hi all,

I want clarification from you whether women should be made to work the night shift or not.

Hi,

With the boom of BPOs, we have many women who are doing late shifts. Of course, if there is a drop, then it would be safer. I see no harm as to why women can't do night shifts.

Thanks

I don't find any reason why women can't/shouldn't work in night shifts. Gone are the days where differentiation of jobs based on gender. We should be really proud about ourselves for creating a good atmosphere for encouraging them to work in night shifts.

Hi all,

All of you are thinking towards one side of the coin. Have you all forgotten the incident of a lady employee who worked in one of Bangalore-based firms (night shifts) and got raped and killed by the cab driver itself? She was newly married. Some feel it is secure, and some do not.

Regards,
Gowtam

Why not be open-minded and treat everyone with equal respect, especially women? You can provide more facilities such as pick-up and drop-off services, accommodation, etc.

Hi Mohan,

Initially, the labor law was very strict regarding the employment of female employees between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. However, as others have rightly mentioned, with the boom in BPO/Call center industries, the government has introduced some amendments as well. Below are some guidelines to follow when employing female staff after 6.00 p.m.:

An exception must be obtained from the Labor Commissioner in a prescribed format (I believe it is FORM R) along with the following attachments:

1. A written statement from each female staff member expressing their willingness to work after 6.00 p.m.

2. Cab facility with security is mandatory, and details of the cab driver must be submitted to the nearest police station. The acknowledgment from the police station must be attached.

I have attached an amendment made in the Karnataka Shop Act addressing minute details for your reference.

Therefore, regarding the question of whether female staff can be employed in night shifts, the answer is YES, but only after following all the necessary procedures; otherwise, the Labor Commissioner is empowered to take serious actions.

Thanks and Regards,

Dinesh

It depends upon in which state of India you are operating; every state has its own labor laws. In Maharashtra, it is the Shop & Establishment Act for the IT sector. Additionally, in Maharashtra, it is the Shop & Establishment Act and Maharashtra IT Act 2003, which provide various privileges to the IT sector.

Do those rules about employing women at night only after obtaining their consent, arranging transport, etc., apply only to ITES or also to women who have been working night shifts for decades - like nurses, doctors, airport cleaning women, air hostesses, etc.?

R. Ramamurthy

Hello Gautham,

It's not about thinking one side of a coin. It's about appreciating the amount of progress we have made to provide facilities to women working night shifts. One incident or a minor percentage of results will not affect or prevent women from working night shifts.

Thanks,
Raghav

Hi Darkhorse,

Yes, I do agree that it's good to hear that women are given a chance to work in night shifts. How can we say that it's the only incident that has happened? After that incident, the BPO companies in Bangalore have taken necessary steps and precautions to avoid such kind of incidents happening because of cab drivers. It's not for you or me to make a decision regarding their job. It's welcoming for women to work in night shifts, but how secure they feel is much more important.

Regards,
Gowtam

If a woman employee works the night shift, is there any government rule stating that transport pick-up and drop-off facilities are compulsory between 7 PM and 5 AM? Please guide.