At 9 pm on Saturday evening, Rashika, a Joint Secretary, was still engrossed in her work in her office. Her husband, Vikram, is an executive in an MNC and frequently out of town in connection with his work. Their two children aged 5 and 3 are looked after by their domestic helper. At 9:30 pm her superior, Mr. Suresh calls her and asks her to prepare a detailed note on an important matter to be discussed in a meeting in the Ministry. She realises that she will have to work on Sunday to finish the additional task given by her superior. She reflects on how she had looked forward to this posting and had worked long hours for months to achieve it. She had kept the welfare of people uppermost in discharging her duties. She feels that she has not done enough justice to her family and she has not fulfilled her duties in discharging essential social obligations. Even as recently as last month she had to leave her sick child in the nanny’s care as she had to work in the office. Now, she feels that she must draw a line, beyond which her personal life should take precedence over her professional responsibilities. She thinks that there should be reasonable limits to the work ethics such as punctuality, hard work, dedication to duty and selfless service. (250 words) [UPSC 2023]

a. Discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.

b. Briefly describe at least four laws that have been enacted by the Government with respect to providing a healthy, safe and equitable working environment for women.

c. Imagine you are in a similar situation. What suggestions would you make to mitigate such working conditions?

Roadmap for Answer Writing

Introduction

• Briefly introduce the context: Rashika’s high-powered role as a Joint Secretary, her family responsibilities, and the emerging ethical dilemma due to work demands.
• State the importance of balancing professional duties with personal and family obligations.

Section A: Ethical Issues Involved

1. Personal Well-Being
   • Discuss how Rashika’s long working hours negatively impact her mental and physical health.
   • Ethical concern: Are employees in demanding roles protected from burnout?
2. Family and Social Obligations
   • Highlight Rashika’s struggle to fulfill family duties due to her professional commitments.
   • Ethical question: Should professional success come at the expense of family responsibilities?
3. Work-Life Balance
   • Analyze the ethical implications of maintaining a healthy work-life balance in demanding positions.
   • Ethical concern: Are current work expectations sustainable for employees with families?
4. Ethical Boundaries of Work Ethic
   • Explore Rashika’s contemplation of setting limits on work ethics, such as punctuality and dedication.
   • Ethical dilemma: How far should professional responsibilities extend into personal time?
5. Challenges for Women in the Workforce
   • Discuss systemic issues that women face, particularly in leadership roles, regarding work-life balance.
   • Ethical issue: Are organizations doing enough to support women in managing both work and family?

Section B: Laws for Women’s Working Environment

1. Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (Amended in 2017)
   • Provides 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, supporting women during pregnancy and childbirth.
2. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013
   • Mandates a safe working environment and the establishment of Internal Complaints Committees for addressing harassment.
3. Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
   • Prohibits gender-based wage discrimination, ensuring equal pay for equal work.
4. Factories Act, 1948
   • Regulates women’s employment hours and prohibits their employment in hazardous conditions, promoting safety and equity.

Section C: Suggestions to Mitigate Working Conditions

1. Establish Clear Boundaries
   • Set specific working hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM) and communicate these clearly to superiors to protect personal time.
2. Flexible Work Arrangements
   • Advocate for options such as telecommuting or flexible hours, allowing greater control over work-life balance.
3. Utilize Technology
   • Embrace tools for efficient communication and collaboration, such as video conferencing and cloud-based platforms to enhance productivity.
4. Counseling and Support Services
   • Implement programs that offer counseling for work-life balance challenges, promoting mental health and job satisfaction.
5. Emergency Leave Policies
   • Develop provisions for emergency leave to address personal crises without compromising professional duties.

Conclusion

• Summarize the ethical complexities of Rashika’s situation and reiterate the need for supportive workplace policies that prioritize employee well-being alongside professional responsibilities.
• Emphasize that addressing work-life balance is a critical issue that requires organizational commitment and societal awareness.

Relevant Facts to Include

• Maternity Benefit Act, 1961: Ensures maternity leave to support women’s health.
• Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013: Promotes a safe working environment.
• Equal Remuneration Act, 1976: Supports gender pay equity.
• Factories Act, 1948: Regulates women’s employment hours for safety.

This roadmap provides a clear and organized approach to effectively address the ethical dilemmas present in the scenario involving Rashika.