Code not followed: Women on late shifts, norms given a go-by

BENGALURU: On Dec 13, 2005, Bengaluru was rudely awakened to the issue of safety of women working in the graveyard shift. A 28-year-old BPO employee, Pratibha Murthy , was raped and murdered by the driver of her office cab.

The incident prompted the government to amend the Karnataka Shops and Establishments Act. Women could be employed past 8 pm if the company provided security and safe transportation. IT lobby Nasscom put in place a BPO Code of Conduct, defining the employers' responsibilities. Nasscom assumes that each employer will provide transport to women employees working beyond 8 pm.

Nasscom Directives Not Adhered to in This Case

Maintain a single dedicated employee helpline number in each location for all transport-related concerns

Provide employees with cell phone numbers of at least three senior members of the organisation to be contacted in case of an emergency

Conduct pulse checks among employ ees to reiterate safety norms

Ensure the helpline number is stored in cell phones of employees on speed dial mode