Here's the top things to do to create a safe working environment for ladies in the Indian hospitality industry. Presented by Bhuvan GM, principal, Apeejay Institute of Hospitality (Mumbai), at the inaugural 'Ladies in Hospitality' seminar in Oct 13, 2017 in Mumbai. Visit: fb.me/ladiesinhospitality #LadiesInHospitality

1. Creating safe environment for women at work
By
Bhuvan.G.M
Principal, Apeejay Institute of Hospitality

2. Creating safe environment for women at work
•Introduction
•Diverse work place environment
•Women representing 24.4% of total work force
in India
•Personal security has become central to
Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Economic and
Spiritual well being.

3. Some common concerns for working women and students
include
1. I am not sure about the policy of safety for women.
2. The basement parking has dim light . I feel unsafe
3. I am the last one to be dropped home by the office
cab tonight.
4. Shall I contact our office security ?
5. The office cab driver has been taking unknown
routes in the evening. Should I report this ?

4. Some common concerns for working women include
6. My colleague just passed a comment. I think it is
insensitive. What should I do ?
7. I have been called for a meeting late tonight.
Should I accept ?
8. Is this hotel safe for me to stay when I am travelling
on business ?
9. Whom do I call if I am in distress ?
10. Travelling late night by radio cab alone after office.
Is it safe ?

5. Some common reasons for failure to report safety concerns
are as follows:
1. Lack of Understanding
2. Lack of Faith
3. Fear of retaliation
4. Self-judgment
5. Social stigma

6. Guidelines of Safety for women at workplace:
1. Physical
2. Environmental
3. Organisational
4. Educational

7. Guidelines of Safety for women at workplace:
Physical
•Focus on Physical security
•KYC Documents and police verification of certain staff
( Security, Casual staff )
•24x7 CCTV cameras
•Manned entries and exit gates with security deployment

8. Guidelines of Safety for women at workplace:
Physical
•Access controlled doors
•Security staff accompanying the driver in the cab for
late night drop
•GPS based cab monitoring with panic buttons
•Risk assessment of neighboring area

9. Guidelines of Safety for women at workplace:
Environmental
Clearly displayed emergency contact number and designated
officer(s) available round the clock to be contacted in emergency.
Well lit work areas, staircase, corridors, rest rooms and parking lots.

10. Guidelines of Safety for women at workplace:
Environmental
•Separate and secure rest rooms to women close to
work station/areas.
•Strict surveillance of visitors .
•Provision of company transport for women in the night
shift.
•Hiring of cabs/transport vehicles from established
agencies.

11. Guidelines of Safety for women at workplace:
Organizational
•Sensitization and creating awareness of the women’s rights, facilities
and actions they can initiate regarding sexual harassment. This can be
done during induction programme.
•Code of conduct agreement in place- to be affirmed annually by
employees and vendors with clear defining behavioral norms
especially for male and female employees

12. Guidelines of Safety for women at workplace:
Organizational
•Internal compliance measurement on the awareness of
the policy
•Payment of salaries directly into bank accounts to
avoid any kind of harassment by supervisory staff over
subordinate and casual women employees
•Setting up internal sexual harassment committee
Strict disciplinary action against those found violating
the code of conduct to ensure that it is not repeated
Every complaint written or verbal to be documented
and investigated promptly.

13. Guidelines of Safety for women at workplace:
Educational
•Awareness and training on security and safety . Dos and Don’ts
while travelling by company cabs , Emergency contacts, Police help
lines, Company contact points.
•Awareness of the company policy on sexual harassment, gender
discrimination, bias, stereotyping and the complaint process
•Regular reminders of the ethical values of the company, through
email, posters and training programmes.

14. Guidelines of Safety for women at workplace:
Educational
•Provide training to all women employees and
educate them about their rights and facilities.
•Sensitization of male employees through training
sessions.
•Training of all women team members on staying alert
and being well prepared.
•Self defense sessions.

15. Applicable laws covering women safety at work :
The Sexual Harassment of women at workplace (Prevention,
Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 : The Act is a legislative act in
India that seeks to protect women from sexual harassment at their
palace of work. The Act came into force on 9th December 2013.This
statues superseded the Vishakha Guidelines of Prevention of sexual
harassment introduced by the Supreme Court of India.

16. Applicable laws covering women safety at work :
The Act defines sexual harassment at the workplace and creates a
mechanism for redressal of complaints. It also provides safeguards
against false or malicious charges.
The Act also covers concept of quid pro quo harassment and hostile
work environment as forms of sexual harassment if they occur in
connection with an act or behavior of sexual harassment.

17. Applicable laws covering women safety at work :
The definition of “aggrieved women” who will get protection under
the Act, is extremely wide to cover all women, irrespective of their
age or employment status and whether in the organized or
unorganized sectors, public or private, and covers clients customers
and domestic worker as well.

18. Role of Educational Institutions
•Safety of women to be incorporated in the course
curriculum as a Life Skills Course
•Theme based awareness programmes can be conducted
for the students .
•Security enhancement at educational institutions. Training girls on
self defense.
•The faculty members can conduct awareness
programmes to various stake holders as part of social
responsibility.

19. Thank you