Women’s employees in lockdown
The corona-virus (COVID-19) pandemic is the greatest challenge that we’ve faced and is defining the global health crisis of the present time in India.
The globe Health Organization, which has officially declared the outbreak a plague, has called on “all countries to continue efforts that are effective in limiting the amount of cases and slowing the spread of the virus.” However, the remainder of the country remains under lockdown. Because of which the country is under lockdown, businesses have been shut down, people are staying where they are. All the travelling, tangible business meetings, schools, colleges, hotels have been prohibited to execute their operations. Work from house is the sole practice which may help to continue the business operations and functions.
The dynamics of the working environment have exerted huge pressure on working women as they have to handle two full time jobs – one reception and therefore the other at office. Working women have an issue balancing the family and work. Work life balance is critical for ladies to address the family and work.
The impact of COVID-19 on the working women and also gave suggestions to balancing their life during pandemic situations. The native of the research is qualitative research, data collected from 30 working women through telephonic interviews. By using content analysis techniques this study revealed some positive and negative impacts on working women like negative aspects are Workload, Monotonous routine, Stress and Bleak future aspects and positive aspects are Family time, flexible working hours, vocational learning and target health. Thus this study will help the working women during lockdown.
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To study the impact of Covid-19 on the working women
Table 1: Domains of Negative Aspects
| Workload | Monotonous Routine | Stress | Break Future Aspects | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Married working women |
Many professional women, found it especially stressful and difficult because to be working from home as well as doing household chores, other activities without much support from their partners, thus It was an added load. Men who used to go out for work and children used to go out for school are at home and creates a demanding situation for women. As the house is small and people are at home all the time, which is creating a lack of emotional space as well. |
Covid 19 and the resulting lockdown has led to a monotonous kind of a life people are living the same day over and over. Especially the working women who stuck at home are juggling between the household and their office work requirements .this is getting tiresome and causing irritation and frustration. Since they are accustomed to their dynamic office routine ,it is proving difficult for them
to adjust to this monotonous routine.
|
Women who quit their job just before the lockdown, the quarantine has brought with it an unending streak of days when they can’t seek work out. Thus with no work in hand they feeling very unproductive all day and it’s making scary fact that they are living in times of pandemic is adding to the stress. Pay cut itself brings with a lot of stress . Due to Stress and anxiety women are facing health issues and change in sleep patterns |
The struggle does not end here.
Working women single or married, face a difficult financial future. A single mother burnt their all saving because of jobless, now they are worried how to pay school fees, rent and another day to day expenses. Some women
who are working hourly basis job worried about their job.
|
Table 2 : Domains of Positive Aspects
| Family Time | Flexible Working Hours | Vocational Learning | Focus on Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Working
Women
|
Spending quality
time with husband, kids, and in laws, having fruitful conversation with family members. This creates positive environment as they do not get this opportunity every day. Communication with the kids increases, lowers lots of doubts, conflicts misunderstanding between couples as well as other family members and making their relations are stronger.
|
Companies allow women to work from home or offer flexible working hours. Thus, women feel peace as fixed hours to complete the work. |
During lockdown women
who could not grieve in the busy schedule, now they have a time to refreshing?
Past hobbies by cooking
doing painting, watching
movies which were not possible during busy work and family activities. Thus
they learn various activities through online .
|
Every woman wants
to fit but for a working woman it is very difficult to keep fit with work. During lockdown thus is a good chance to maintain their fitness and do health care by exercising, taking proper sleep, eating healthy food.
|
To suggest the recommendations for maintaining work-life balance during lockdown
- The ongoing slump has led to bleak future aspects. Until normalcy is restored, there’s a constant need to be involved along with your clients to keep up good rapport. Also, efforts should be made to talk with colleagues and supervisors to assure them of your availability during this ardent need of the hour.
- Women Schedule their working hours and put in place dedicated times for work so this can help to relax in down time.
- Prioritize their task correctly in order to dedicate an equal amount of attention to your dear ones and work. Identifying at what time during the day you’re most efficient is your most suitable choice.
- Taking care is extremely important, so attempt to begin your day with some meditation and recreational exercise, try and spend time with kids.
- Women can seek involvement from their respective partners in reducing their workload which can in-turn enable them to spend longer together.
The analyses of this study are a shot to grasp the impact of COVI19 on working women. In India, women are rarely given top priority to career and primarily to blame for their family. This study has revealed that during lockdown working women work from home they feel the burden of excessive office and house work. To fulfill family expectations and not having time for themselves are the prime factors affecting work life balance of working women. As a consequence many ladies suffer high levels of stress and anxiety and also don’t enjoy family life. Informal discussions with working women revealed that people who had family or husband support and versatile work schedules enjoyed better work life balance. The above findings have shown the positive and negative consequences of working women’s life balance. It also provides suggestions to maintain healthy work life balance during lockdown.
-Vinay
(Law Student)