← All questionsGS4 · 2023 · Case Studies — Public Sector ·Rashika: Work–Life Balance (Case)
QUESTION 9
GS4
20 marks

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 the posting and had worked long hours for months to achieve it, he 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.(a) Discuss the ethical issue 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?

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14 min
250 words

What the examiner wants

Rashika, a Joint Secretary, must balance a late weekend assignment against family duties. Discuss the ethical issue, list laws for women's work conditions, and suggest ways to ease such situations.

Case studyName the stakeholders and the issues, weigh the options, and say what you would do and why.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1(a) Issue: duty to the job vs duty to family, self-care, limits of work ethic, gender expectations≈65 words
  2. 2(b) Four laws: Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 (26 weeks, creche); POSH Act 2013; Equal Remuneration (now Code on Wages 2019); Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020 (night work with consent and safety)≈65 words
  3. 3(c) Suggestions: planning and delegation, communicating limits, flexible hours and work from home, creches in offices, child care leave, a culture that doesn't reward overwork≈65 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

(a) issue(b) four laws, one line each(c) personal and institutional suggestionsConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Fewer than four laws, or naming laws without what they provide
  • Treating it as only a personal problem with no institutional suggestions

Draw this

  • Balance scale: professional duty vs family duty

Value addition

  • RuleCentral government women employees get Child Care Leave of up to 730 days in their service.CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972, Rule 43-C
  • LawMaternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 raised paid maternity leave to 26 weeks and requires creches in establishments with 50 or more employees.Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 as amended 2017

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