Dear friends,
As far as I know, these terms are used as follows:
Man-days Lost
This term is mainly used in the industrial sector for the "stoppage of normal work" due to:
- Strikes, lockouts, lay-offs, hartal, bandhs, sit-in-dharna, gate meetings, accidents, etc. These are mostly collective actions by the workers. The purpose is to ascertain the loss of production or services, delays in meeting targets/dates, etc. In most cases, the "no work, no pay" formula applies. Governments require data to report on losses due to these unforeseen/foreseen stoppages to companies, governments, etc. Sometimes, in prolonged stoppages like strikes, disputes may arise regarding the continuity of service.
Calculation: 1000 workers stopped work on 26.12.11 in all three shifts means 1000 x 3 x 3 = 9000 (9000 shifts) man-days lost. Similarly, parts of the shifts could also be considered. When converted into money and related to cost, if paid, costs escalate, resulting in reduced profits. Suppose under "No work, no pay," costs marginally escalate in the form of "fixed overheads," but targets slip.
Restricted Workday Case
This is also a similar term but mostly used for other reasons. For example, local festivals that require closure of work a few hours earlier than normal duty hours, say for "half a day" or dispersal two or three hours early. In-house functions like Ayutha pooja may also lead to restricted workdays. In some instances, during eclipses, work may start a few hours late or end a few hours early. On these days, the main difference is that they are neither declared holidays nor full working days, but full wages are paid. Due to the shortage of working hours, there will definitely be a shortfall in full production during a shift. Sometimes, during sudden riots, like the death of a popular leader in India leading to violence, establishments are forced to evacuate workers immediately to ensure their safety. On such occasions, there won't be any salary cuts.
Regarding accidents in workplaces, man-days are lost, and the IR department collects such statistics daily to report to the Inspector of Factories/Directorate of Mines in their periodic reports under various reasons. Factories are legally obligated to provide such information; failure to do so is punishable by fines.
Am I correct, dear?
Regards,
Kumar.S