Page 197 - DMGT406_HUMAN_RESOURCE_MANAGEMENT

Human Resource Management

Notes conditions create health problems for workers. These have to be contained through preventive
steps aimed at improving the lot of workers.
A second reason in favour of welfare work is called the 'social invasion of the factory'. Workers
face lots of adjustment problems when they take up factory work. The congested environs, noisy
machines, slum areas, monotonous jobs impact the psyche of ruralities who come to cities in
search of jobs. To escape from such trying conditions, the worker absents himself, becomes
irregular and shows signs of indiscipline. Such changes – known as the social invasion of the
factory – call for extra inducements in the workplace in addition to normal wages, so that the
worker begins to enjoy a fuller and richer life.
Another social reason pointed out by the Labour Investigation Committee reads thus: "the
provision of canteens improves the physique; entertainment reduces the incidence of vices;
medical aid, maternity and child welfare services improve the health of the workers and bring
down the rates of general, maternal and infantile mortality; and educational facilities increase
their mental efficiency and economic productivity.
It is not an easy task however to look beyond the profit margins and focus on employee well-
being in times of shrinking bottom line, but then that is perhaps the need of the times. There are
many organizations however who consider employee welfare as a hygiene issue.

12.2 Nature

1. Labour welfare work is undertaken by the employer to improve the standards of living of
workers.
2. The work generally includes those items of welfare which are over and above what the
employees expect as a result of the contract of service from the employers.
3. The purpose of providing welfare amenities is to bring about development of the whole
personality of the worker – his social, psychological, economic, moral, cultural and
intellectual development.
4. Welfare work is something which goes beyond the rule book-not always mandated by
law and undertaken by progressively minded employers.
5. These may be undertaken by the government or trade unions, if they have the resources
earmarked for this purpose.
6. It may be noted that not only intramural but also extramural, statutory as well as non-
statutory activities, undertaken by any of the three agencies the employers, trade unions or
the government – for the physical and mental development of the worker (Punekar; Vaid).

Task You are the HR consultant to a medium-sized factory with about 650 employees. As
the present time the factory offers only legally mandated welfare amenities to its workers.
The local competition for skilled labour is forcing the factory now to introduce some non-
statutory welfare amenities too, to please the workers. The factory does not want to lose
its experienced workers and seeks your assistance to suggest measures that would help
retain its experienced workers and if possible, attract talent from outside firms as well.
12.3 Types

Welfare and recreational benefits include: (a) canteens, (b) consumer societies, (c) credit societies,
(d) housing, (e) legal aid, (f) employee counseling, (g) welfare organisations, (h) holidays homes,
(i) educational facilities, (j) transportation, (k) parties, and picnics and (l) miscellaneous.

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