More on Secure Workplaces and Employer Responsibility

In my last post I mentioned of a certain retail industry "heavy weight" and their safety measures regarding women working till late shifts. When such offers are rejected they come up with accusations like "independent women shouldn't have such a stand", does that mean women who consider themselves independent should also think they are not harm-able? That was the most absurd allegation I have ever heard from people occupying high corporate positions.

Well, now coming to the real crux of this post: I what ways can HR take responsibility of the employees safety and thus increase their effectiveness and work satisfaction. When an employee feels he / she is not safe physically this does create pressure from family and in turn tensions. The most important aim of workplace safety is to protect the most valuable assets of an organisation "THE HUMAN RESOURCE".

The HR department can take care of this aspect and make employees fear-free and risk free in terms of providing them a safe work place and safer transportation during wee hours.

• Providing reliable and safe accommodation- if not provided at least information on such available near the company location.
• Providing transportation with security personnel appointed after thorough background check along with continuous and vigilant followup.
• Proper communication channels in case of any security related issues- Employees should be alerted on the contact numbers and persons who are responsible for safety and security so that they can be reached in emergencies.
• Regular and strict monitoring of the safety measures undertaken.
• Proper education of all employees in terms of safety and security measures.
• Surveillance- proper surveillance and vigilant monitoring can also keep a lot of safety problems at bay.
•  And most of all abiding by the rules and regulations put forth by the central and state governments in terms of employee safety. ( I've heard many companies utilizing fire-exits as storage spaces, hiring private vehicles for employee transportation- a little more effort can actually avoid big tragedies)

Please write in what are the various safety measures that your organizations follow or if you have any new ideas please do share it so that all of us can broaden our knowledge in this matter.

References:

http://bit.ly/rBM8nU

http://bit.ly/rBM8nU

http://bit.ly/sKbC65

http://bit.ly/t4v1uC

Does your employer comply to this...?

Equal opportunity to all- when people cry out this slogan for equal rights for women can they also ensure safe working conditions for them in the same work environment and work timings as men. I have heard some people mention that in states like Maharashtra the government has brought in laws to safeguard the women employees.
And I found these regulations which I thought should be known by both men and women.
On 16th August 2005, The Factories (Amendment) Act 2005 was introduced in the Loksabha. The Bill proposed to amend section 66 of the Factories Act 1948 so as to provide flexibility in the matter of employment of women during night shift with adequate safeguards, dignity, honor and transportation.

• No women is required or allowed to work in any establishment after 9.30pm.
• Special arrangement should be made for protection of female employees working before 6 am and after 8.30 pm including transportation.
• Female employees should be provided job jointly or in a group.
• Arrangement of rest rooms and lockers should be made for all women employees.
• No women employee should be asked to come for night shifts for more than 15 days.
• Under clause 9.1 of IT and ITES policy 2003 of Govt of Maharashtra it is proposed that every vehicle transporting women employees be issued special pass.
• Every company should provide a security guard with the vehicle for the women employee.

The reason I chose to write this topic is because, I recently was interviewed by a company and I even decided to join them. But neither did they provide any accommodation or help in finding one nor were they ready to provide any security or protection for night travel. Now even though the job doesn't go beyond 9, don't you think they should at least have a security to escort the person to the public transport?

Please share your views and comments, and please correct me if I am wrong regarding the regulation.

References:
http://bit.ly/uuWH39