Page 47 - Impact of WfH study report _SCOPE-ILO_Neat

10. It was reiterated that any WfH policy is applicable to the company as a whole, which
has to run on its performance and profits. Hence, a WfH policy can only be gender
neutral i.e. applicable to all employees except that due considerations and
exemptions are given to pregnant women, women with young children, women with
aged parent; also people with special needs (both men and women). In fact, in
many instances, Head of Units/departments were given guidance to give women
(pregnant, etc.) the option to work from home. Nevertheless, it was suggested that
any women centric recommendations/guidelines put forth by the present study,
would definitely be taken into consideration by PSEs while drafting their respective
policies.

4.3 Women Leaders in PSEs

The women respondents under KIIs, were specifically asked how differently they think
the work from home arrangement can influence women in the PSEs as employees, as
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caregivers, and as managers/leaders. The following three responses , aptly
summarizes what women, particularly those in leadership and decision making
positions experienced; and advocate.

Ms. H K Joshi, Chairperson and Managing Director & Director (Finance)
(Additional Charge), The Shipping Corporation of India
Ms. H K Joshi, the first woman CMD of the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), a
th
Navratna Company, in its 60 year of operation shared:

“If I see myself as a regular employee of SCI, I would say that work from home is
a very convenient arrangement as it enables employees to handle and balance out
multiple roles and responsibilities. As a woman in the role of a caregiver too,
definitely the work from home is a boon especially if one is a young mother or has
young children. During the pandemic, there was a sense of insecurity; hence, the
physical presence of a mother could make the
environment for a child at home comfortable.
It is, as a leader, that I would say Also, there may be in-laws, aged and ailing
the WfH proves most challenging. parents or an unwell family member to look
A leader has multiple roles to after. In such a situation, WfH balances out
play...As a leader, I did not have a one’s role such that justice is rendered to both
the caregiving and professional roles, without
precedence to follow. I feel the
being subjected to any guilt pangs.
pandemic tested us as leaders;
and our pressures and
However, it is, as a leader, that I would say the
responsibilities increased.
WfH proves most challenging. A leader has
multiple roles to play. As a leader, I did not
Ms. H K Joshi, CMD, have a precedence to follow. There was
The Shipping Corporation of India inevitable disruption in my office set up. For

39 The three also interacted with the Network of Champions during a training session
wherein they discussed the guidelines developed as a result of the study findings.
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