Ethical Issues and Legal Framework in Work-Life Balance

a. Ethical Issues Involved

1. Work-Life Balance: Rashika faces the ethical dilemma of balancing professional responsibilities with personal and family life. Her commitment to her job leads to prolonged working hours, impacting her family obligations and personal well-being.
2. Professional Expectations vs. Personal Well-being: The demand to work on weekends and the expectation of self-sacrifice for professional success challenge her ability to maintain personal health and family relationships.
3. Fairness and Equity: The issue of fairness arises as Rashika feels she is not fulfilling her social obligations and family duties, potentially leading to stress and burnout. This raises concerns about the equity of work expectations.
4. Ethical Boundaries: Rashika’s reflection on work ethics such as punctuality and dedication highlights the need to redefine professional boundaries to avoid compromising personal life and family welfare.

b. Laws Providing a Healthy, Safe, and Equitable Working Environment for Women

1. The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961: Provides maternity leave and benefits to female employees, ensuring job protection and financial security during and after pregnancy.
2. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013: Ensures a safe working environment for women by addressing sexual harassment and providing a mechanism for redressal.
3. The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976: Mandates equal pay for equal work regardless of gender, ensuring fair compensation and eliminating wage disparity.
4. The Factories Act, 1948: Includes provisions for safety and health standards in the workplace, which also cover special protections for women workers, ensuring a secure working environment.

c. Suggestions to Mitigate Such Working Conditions

1. Implement Flexible Work Arrangements: Promote options like flexible working hours or remote work to help employees manage work-life balance better. For example, the work-from-home policies adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how flexibility can enhance productivity while supporting personal needs.
2. Establish Clear Boundaries: Set clear work hours and expectations to avoid encroachment on personal time. Encouraging a culture that respects personal boundaries can prevent burnout and improve overall job satisfaction.
3. Promote Work-Life Balance Initiatives: Introduce and support family-friendly policies such as childcare facilities at the workplace, paid parental leave, and employee assistance programs. Companies like Google have implemented on-site childcare and flexible schedules to support working parents.
4. Encourage Open Communication: Foster a work environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their work-life balance concerns with their superiors. This can lead to mutual understanding and adjustments that support both professional and personal needs.

In conclusion, addressing the balance between professional and personal responsibilities requires strategic policy implementation and cultural shifts in work environments. By adopting flexible work arrangements, setting clear boundaries, and supporting family-friendly initiatives, organizations can enhance employee well-being and maintain productivity.