Q.4 Garima has joined Flexible Industries Limited, a reputed manufacturing company. She has just passed out of engineering college. It has been her dream to work at the shop floor of a production company and she is very excited for her new job. Her friends call her gearhead because of her love for machines. She desires to prove her worth and has been working diligently for it. During the training period, she has expressed a desire to work in the production department. But the gender attitude especially of blue-collar workers in the production department is not considered conducive for women. Traditionally, shop floors have been dominated by men. With no immediate gains in sight, the managers consider it an unfeasible burden to undertake any change among the workers relating to their attitude towards women. The Human resources department has communicated to Garima that after her probation period is over, she might be offered roles in ‘Research & Development’ department or ‘Marketing’ which have more women employees. Garima meets her HR manager and tells him again that she wants to work in the production department. Her manager tells her that the assembly line in production functions 24x7 and every worker in the production line works at least two night shifts a week. He further explains that workers in the production line are not much educated and are reluctant to take orders from female engineers. Job in the production line is physically demanding and not suitable for a girl. Garima is not satisfied with the answer of her HR manager. Garima is feeling frustrated at her capabilities and aspirations not being appreciated enough only because of her gender. Seeing limited opportunities for her talent, she is thinking about resigning from the job to prepare for the civil services examination. You are Garima’s best friend who happens to be a civil service aspirant. Garima calls you and asks for your advice. What advice would you give to her? According to you, what are the attributes of a good work culture? How can workplaces be made gender sensitive? (20 Marks)

Q.4 Garima has joined Flexible Industries Limited, a reputed manufacturing company. She has just passed out of engineering college. It has been her dream to work at the shop floor of a production company and she is very excited for her new job. Her friends call her gearhead because of her love for machines. She desires to prove her worth and has been working diligently for it. During the training period, she has expressed a desire to work in the production department. But the gender attitude especially of blue-collar workers in the production department is not considered conducive for women. Traditionally, shop floors have been dominated by men. With no immediate gains in sight, the managers consider it an unfeasible burden to undertake any change among the workers relating to their attitude towards women. The Human resources department has communicated to Garima that after her probation period is over, she might be offered roles in ‘Research & Development’ department or ‘Marketing’ which have more women employees. Garima meets her HR manager and tells him again that she wants to work in the production department. Her manager tells her that the assembly line in production functions 24×7 and every worker in the production line works at least two night shifts a week. He further explains that workers in the production line are not much educated and are reluctant to take orders from female engineers. Job in the production line is physically demanding and not suitable for a girl. Garima is not satisfied with the answer of her HR manager. Garima is feeling frustrated at her capabilities and aspirations not being appreciated enough only because of her gender. Seeing limited opportunities for her talent, she is thinking about resigning from the job to prepare for the civil services examination. You are Garima’s best friend who happens to be a civil service aspirant. Garima calls you and asks for your advice. What advice would you give to her? According to you, what are the attributes of a good work culture? How can workplaces be made gender sensitive? (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Start by describing the central issue in the case study. For the first part, delineate different approaches viz, idealistic or realistic pathways. For the second part, define work culture. List the attributes of good work culture. In the third part, list different ways to make workplaces gender-sensitive.