WOMEN SECURITY GUARDS: TELLING THE UNTOLD TALES (19.05.2015-18.06.2015) SAYENDRI PANCHADHYAYI
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The project is a culmination of the encouragement and support that I have been bestowed with from several people during the course of the project. Firstly I would extend my gratitude to Krityanand UNESCO club to allow me to embark on this research endeavour and pursue my interest with autonomy. I would like to thank all my participants for conceding to speak to me and share their tales and travails and the permanent male security guard who volunteered to share his experiences and anecdotes related to the profession that has immensely enriched the depth of the project. The contribution of my friend Gowthami Javaji for being translator for one of the interviews and facilitating the project deserves a special mention.
PREFACE
Security guards are crucial components of the University space as they strive to make the University a hassle-free and secured environment. However, their importance does not prevent their negligence. They are push into the periphery inviting an array of problems that are hardly articulated or pondered by the mainstream public. This research project humbly aims to compensate for the censure and invisibilization.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. Introduction of the project 1 B. Objective of the project
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C. Scope of the project
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D. Methodology
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1. Procedure 2. Formulation 3. Pilot study 4. Sample determination E. Key findings
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1. Description of the setting 2. Former work experience 3. Entry into the job 4. Job description 5. Shift 6. Challenges, occupational hazard and negotiation 7. Health 8. Glass ceiling 9. Aspiration 10. Perception
F. Conclusion
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FEMALE SECURITY GUARDS: TELLING THE UNTOLD TALES INTRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT The role of a security guard is not simply confined to providing “security� which is connotative of protection in common parlance. The role includes being a catalyst for students when it comes to contacting the plumber, carpenter or the electrician. The devaluation of this profession within the ambit of paid labour is further exacerbated by the blight of contract work that embraces the principle of easy hire and easy fire. I have consciously embraced the epistemology of action design research and used this study as a mirror to provoke and accelerate pragmatic solutions for women security guards from the concerned authorities.
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OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT This project is an extension of my undergraduate dissertation which revolved around the plight of the domestic workers in the gated estates of Kolkata and within it there was a small section on the relationship between the domestic workers and the security guards at the gated estates. During that time bureaucracy was perceived through the lens of the domestic workers and this time the bureaucracy would be seen through the lens of the security guards. In a climate of growing feminist consciousness where traditional and institutional denigration of women is being debunked, challenged and deconstructed there continues to remain unheard narratives that is neither provided concern nor attention. The visibility of a woman in the public sphere is not to be assumed as an indicator of enhancement in her life conditions. It is because the allocation of job mirrors the perception of the biography of a female worker. This study is a sincere effort to scrutinize security service and its implications on the health and the self of the security guards. The objective is to examine wage structure, former work experience, expectation and aspiration from the job, occupational hazards, glass ceiling, perception, shift, health complications and job security. The research endeavour is committed to understand some of these broader questions Institutional and personal challenges Relationship with the administration Relationship with the students Relationship with colleagues (male and female dynamics) Perception of the self
2 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT The aim of the project is to understand ‘security service’ as an occupation as well as a metaphor and use this project as an opportunity to fathom the multifarious meanings attributed to the profession. The qualitative nature of the research project underlines the importance of individual stories each of which has churned out interesting aspects of this profession. There is further an imperative to sensitize ourselves regarding the plight of the female security guards and convey the concerned authority to adopt measures that alleviate their institutional and personal challenges.
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METHODOLOGY A. PROCEDURE -The research project has consciously embraced mixed methods that include unstructured interview, participant observation, in-depth interviews and case study that concord with the purpose of the study. The case study method allowed a focused approach for each of the 12 female security guards who were part of the one-month research project. The indepth interviews that were conducted with these female security guards intensively looks at each of the cases whereas the unstructured interview enabled the flexibility in the questions and allow the participants to be themselves, voice their opinions and most importantly for the researcher to cast the questions according to the situation. The inclusion of participant observation has allowed me to observe the daily work routine of a female security guard/s, the hierarchical structure and the interaction of the security guard with her cohorts and familiarization and defamiliarization with the field. Being a student I have often taken the security guards in the campus for granted invisiblizing their contributions to make the campus a safe place.
B. FORMULATION- The issues that this project seeks to enquire have emerged through participant observation and engagement with literature pertaining to security guards, women and work, and contract labour. The Interview schedule and the interviewer’s guide have been attached with the project.
C. PILOT STUDY – After the formulation of the interview schedule a pilot study was undertaken on one female security guard in her B shift duty (to be discussed in the ‘Key Findings’ section) to fathom the credibility and competency of the questionnaire.
4 D. SAMPLE DETERMINATION- Thirteen female security guards at Hyderabad Central University were selected through a combined method of convenience and purposive sampling. The convenience sampling proved to be helpful so that the data collection can be completed within a time-bound framework whereas the purposive sampling was adopted with the goal of interviewing guards in all the shifts which would further provide me the opportunity to experience the nature of work in different shifts. During the course of the study a male security guard who has a permanent position volunteered to articulate his perceptions regarding the concerns of the research and as a result complemented with his experiential reality.
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KEY FINDINGS Description of the setting (Universe of study) - My universe of study is Hyderabad Central University founded in the year 1974. Apart from its repute of being a University with prolific academic excellence, the University also boasts of one the largest residential campus in India. It houses 10 Men’s hostel and 8 Ladies hostel. Ladies hostel 1-6 are situated in the North campus of the University. Ladies hostel 1-5 are located within the same compound and hence there are 2 female security guards and 1 male security guard. It also has a security office and a visiting room which remains open from 10am-10pm. In the ladies hostel which is not in the vicinity of these 5 hostels there is 1 female security guard and a permanent male security guard. In the South campus there are Ladies Hostel 7 and 8 each of which comprises of 1-2 female security guards along with a permanent male security guard. Female security guards are also placed in the Networking building where there is 1 female security guard to safeguard the female Chemistry students who visit the University for Research internships. Of recently there are female security guards in the main gate of the campus who are entrusted with the duty of issuing gate pass to the visitors. There are 26 female security guards in the campus who accomplish their duty in a rotational shift. There are three shifts namely A (6am-2pm), B (2pm-10pm) and C (10pm-6am) each consisting of 8 hours. After a span of 10 days of duty the security guards of one shift is rotated for the duty in the successive shift. Rotation is further adopted in the location of duty-security guards performing their duty in the North campus are switched to the South campus and vice versa. In the A shift there are 23 rounds, in B shift there are 3 rounds and for the C shift there are 4 rounds by the patrolling van. The Marshall is a permanent male security guard who is assigned the task of inspection and supervision.
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“Most women are found to be at the bottom of the hierarchy, with little influence and closely controlled routine jobs. They constitute the horizontal base of the vertical hierarchy in which men work and operate.� (Ulla Ressner, 1987) Former work Experience - My 13 respondents on whom an intensive case study was conducted have sprung from different professions into the security service in the University. All of them are migrants from another district within the state or from different states. They belong from lower caste and lower class. Sheela was earlier associated with school teaching but was compelled to leave the job owing two primary reasons-teaching children drained out her energy and secondly continuous use of chalk aggravated her dust allergy. Malini was a homeguard and her experience with the Police department became favourable for her current job. Janaki owned a jewellery shop but due to a mishap she had to incur acute loss. Prior to marriage Nazima was associated with teaching. However, post childbirth she was not reverted back her position resulting in the loss of job. Zoya left her job at the hospital despite a lucrative salary and the scope of promotion because of the distance from the hospital to home. Sabina has earlier worked with an institution where she had to devote a prolonged period of 12 hours which resulted in fatigue and a subsequent resignation. Aarti has been associated with this profession for the past five years and her former experience includes being a security guard in a University. Kamala has been a teacher in her native district, Nalgonda. However since she had to devote more time to look after her visually challenged elder son she left the job. Ragini has been a tailor but retreated from the task on finding it arduous and time-consuming. A new entrant to the job, Aanchal has worked as a retail assistant in her hometown in Dehradun. Abha and Madhura were not pellucid regarding their previous work experience.
7 Entry into the job All the female security guards of the University have been hired on contract through a reputed agency in the city of Hyderabad. The contract is for a period of two years after which they are obliged to terminate their service and a new set of security guards make their entry. a. Motivation-All the participants chose security service in the University citing high-pay scale which is in a contrast to their previous job experience. They argued that they have entered this profession with the objective of assuaging the cumbersome financial condition in their family. They want their children to receive quality education which also motivates them to economically assist the family. Other reasons that pushed them into this service are the nature of work which allows them to sit and accomplish their task without the inclusion of much mobility and strain. For some the close proximity of the University from their source of dwelling plays a determining factor. The respondents were complacent with the safe working environment devoid of sexual harassment that has reinforced their decision to continue service. Ragini was of the opinion that the job of security in University does not demand skill that needs to be learnt under formal guidance. b. Requirements- The minimum requirement to enter into this profession is 10th grade qualification along with proficiency in communicable English and Hindi. In addition, the security guard should be adept at handling the phone, be circumspective and alert, and perform her duty with assiduity. Two of the respondents felt that being disciplined, obedient, smart, tidy, patient and perseverant would serve to be an icing on the cake. One respondent highlighted the importance of height and weight to project a formidable “front”. She pointed to her fellow security guard who was ‘lanky’ and her appearance is in dissonance with the essence of the profession.
8 Job description- The cardinal task of the security guards is to provide security which translates to maintaining safe and secured campus environment. Apart from these the security guards are a. Not allowing men except for the mess workers and the administrative staff to enter the ladies hostel. b. Go for rounds in the ladies hostel especially during night to ensure that boys do not enter the ladies hostel. c. Search for lost items. d. Contacting the plumber, electrician and carpenter. They accompany them to the ladies hostel and stay inside till the person is done with his work. While accompanying the electrician to the rooms of the students, the security guards have been instructed not to enter the room of the students so as to immune the security guards from accusation of theft. e. To accompany the private cab that needs to get inside the ladies hostel. f. Showing the records of incoming and outgoing students to the Patrolling van that comes for routine rounds. g. If dog or any other animals gets inside the Ladies hostel to get rid of it. h. Saluting the Marshall when he visits for routine inspection. i.
Contacting the main security office in times of security emergency.
j.
Contacting the health centre during medical emergency.
k. Closing the visitor’s room in the North campus at 10pm and opening at 10am. l.
Checking the belonging of housekeeping. If the housekeeping is found stealing then the liability is on the security guards.
In other words the security guards are appointed not just to provide security to the students but also to resolve their problems.
9 Shift-The quiddity of security service in the University implies that security guards have to provide their service on a rotational shift. Once the security guard is recruited in the job she does not enjoy the autonomy of choosing the shifts. She is bound to be accessible for all the shifts and also be a substitute if someone is absent or on a leave. The security guards working in ‘B’ shifts and whose work place is at a greater distance from her home find it difficult to access transport since the frequency of public transport reduces during night. This posits the corollary that autos charge extra shooting up their expenditure on transport.
Challenges, occupational hazard and negotiation
Job insecurity- The nature of contract labour is the crux of the problem for the female security guards. They are hired on a contract of 1 year and later based on their performance it is extended to two more years. However after a period of 3 years of service they cannot serve in the University of Hyderabad. The job of security service is defined by easy hire and easy fire underlining liquidity and instability. For women who are the sole earning members of their family this poses a threat if they are dismissed from the job on account of dereliction. If a fellow security guard reports of her sleeping during duty (which might be false) then she runs the risk of suspension to losing her job. If any man enters in the ladies hostel or if there is an incidence of theft, the security guard will be immediately dismissed. There is the risk of job loss if students express grievances with their performance and accuse them of shirking. If a permanent security guard is found to have committed dereliction the person is handed over a warning letter but a contract security guard has the possibility of losing his job. Hence, contractual nature of the profession poses job insecurity for these security guards.
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Lacks of autonomy- The security guards do not enjoy autonomy in questioning the whereabouts of a student or in choosing their shifts. She has to remain a silent spectator without much space to articulate her opinions. They feel they are not mandated with the scope to exercise their agency. Their power is overshadowed by the power of the students and bureaucracy.
Pay scale- The security guards who were recruited through agency were enticed towards the monthly salary of 10, 000 INR. However, once they joined the service harsh reality shrouded their fate. A substantial amount of around 1, 500 INR is deducted from their salary rationalizing that since they enjoy 4 leaves a month they should not be paid the entire salary. This establishes the ‘No work no policy’ motto adopted by these agencies who are responsible for their payment.
Permanent security guard- The permanent security guard often remains absent and hence the female security guards have to manage without their assistance. This is a common problem in the ladies hostel 6 where there is only one female security guard and the permanent guard is hardly present. Hence, if a security guard in the Ladies hostel 6 have to be somewhere else she is not left with much choice but to intimate the main security office to appoint a substitute security guard during her absence. One respondent stated that permanent security guard often falls off to sleep and the job becomes cumbersome for her. Security officers in the patrolling van sometimes trifles with the female security guard which is a minor occupational hazard.
Night duty- Night duty poses to be a major challenge for most of the female security guards who expressed their disdain towards night shift. One security guard mentioned that she eats moderately so as to prevent herself from falling asleep during duty hours. If a security guard is found taking a nap or falling off to sleep she is marked ‘absent’ in the attendance register by the patrolling officers.
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In the Ladies hostel where only one female security guard is entrusted with the job she falls prey to invasion of insects to the fear of snakes and animals. During night duty one has to encounter upon an array of obstacles that ranges from power-cut which is followed by darkness and the premonition of trespass to solitary duty in Ladies hostel where sounds during middle of the night can give anyone goose bumps to bad weather especially winds. The female security guards strongly feel that there should be two female guards in Ladies hostel 6 but despite these demands have fell to deaf ears. In the South campus the female security guards have to remain more alert since there are boys hostel in the close proximity. One security guard elaborated on the flip side of this job which is that her strenuous and time-consuming duty and journey respectively leaves her with no time to teach her children. At times the job can be extremely boring without the presence of cohort and simply monitoring the inflow and outflow of students.
Accommodation- Unlike the permanent male security guards who are entitled to accommodation by the University, the same privilege is not extended to the contract workers. Although migrant female security guards can stay in a room of five but the room is to poky to accommodate such number of people. Moreover, the accommodation is not free but the security guard is required to pay around Rs. 20003000. Outside the University the rent of rooms is quite high and there emerges the issue of safety so some female workers are compelled to stay in accommodation within the University. There is another glaring discrimination encountered upon by these female security guards. Unlike the permanent male security guards who can stay with their family, the University does not allow accommodation for the family of the female security guards.
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Health- Security guards working at night shifts during erratic hours fall prey to several health problems. Night duty which steers its way to the loss of sleep along with it is also responsible for backache and body pain. It also causes dark circles as pointed out by some security guards. The female security guards who are working in rotational shifts have to sacrifice their health and there is an intrusion with their biological clock. When she is allotted night duty she doesn’t eat a full meal because a full meal would cause drowsiness and the corollary of which might be dereliction of duty. During summers some security guards had to take saline drips owing to fatigue and stress. Heat rashes can be another poser. Winter ushers in an altogether different challenge of common cold to pneumonia. Staying out for long hours for night duty during winter also leads to migraine in some. Since some of the security guards have to engage in unpaid domestic labour after their paid service the health of the security guards are severely compromised as they do not receive adequate rest. They receive the health card only after a period of 6 months. During the tenure of duty if they are faced with medical emergency they receive the support of their seniors who rush them to the health centre located in the campus.
Glass ceiling -The female security guards in the University are not entitled to promotion unlike their male counterparts who have the privilege of a five-stage promotional structure. Women security guards are supervised by permanent male security guards and do not enjoy autonomy owing to their contract worker status. Some of the security of this study are puzzled that despite being a renowned University the absence of promotion for the female security workers is demoralizing for them and serves as a constraint in exhibiting their performance with alacrity. This gender discrimination intensified by the discourse of contract work obstructs them from climbing the hierarchical ladder.
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Aspiration- Despite the occupational hazards, institutional challenges and health problems, the female security guards want to continue with the profession in the University owing two primary reasons. Firstly the salary in conjunction to the nature of the job is favourable for them as it allows them to earn without much physical distress. Secondly the safe working environment enables to work without trouble. Some security guards of my study would prefer to shift to another profession if the wage structure is better. Some of them especially the new entrants would prefer to focus on their present job rather than speculate about future prospects. Perception (Uniform, profession and the self) The security guard at the gate becomes the ‘third eye’ of the surveillance system
The uniform and the ID card of the security guard create a ‘front’ that helps to maintain a formidable personality. The uniform of the female security guards in the University is blue dupatta and grey salwar-kameech whereas some women can also wear sari of a bluish-grey colour. Some security guards felt that the uniform and the ID card render them power and authority. They take pride in being a bridge between the students and the alien forces. Informal dress fails to concoct up an image of authority and formidability. One security guard stated that during winter the female security guards are often forbidden from wearing sweater. It is because they are strictly instructed by their seniors that their uniform should be visible to the students. The uniform of the security guards help them to create a “front” and they enact their role with the ‘appearance’. The “audience” (students, parents or relatives of the students as well as the administration) expects a certain kind of act and it becomes their obligation to continue their performance and if there is a slip in their performance they manage it.
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Despite being indispensable for safeguarding the rights and well-being of the students, staff and faculty members residing in the campus, security service is interpreted with negative connotation. The security guards have experienced comments such as ‘chowkidaar’ and ‘gatekeeper’ that is imbued with devaluation, humiliation and scorn. The specific skill that is attached with this profession is invisibilized and the absence of autonomy and agency is read as subservience. There is a ubiquitous feeling that entry into the profession is easy and hence it is an unskilled labour. Another reason might be that security guard provides their service to the elites and the concept of service is equated with menial task. There is a relationship of stress and strain with some members of the housekeeping. The latter looks down upon the job of the security guard. Some of them do not cooperate with the security guards since they belong to same strata of the society. The sanitation workers will squabble with the security guards. Some members of the housekeeping feel that the job of security service is humble compared to domestic service and hence belittle them.
C.H. Cooley’s concept of ‘Looking glass self’ expounds upon the notion that an individual develops the perception of self through the perspectives of and interpersonal interaction with others. This concept aids to understand the perception of the security guards regarding their profession. Since they have to encounter upon the perception of low status and undervaluation that is concomitant with the profession, they develop a feeling of apathy and begins to view their profession in such light.
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CONCLUSION The discourse of contract labour, nature of security service and the organizational structure of the university exert triple burden in the welfare of the security guards. The motivation to enter into this service is neutralized by the home truth of reduction in salary and ‘no work no pay policy’ but the working environment and less physical energy reinforces their decision to stay back. On the other hand despite a lucrative salary as compared to other profession the occupational hazard and health discrepancies demoralizes their spirit yet the imperative to ameliorate financial distress combined with an orientation of a secured future for the children binds them to the job. They have co-opted the glass ceiling both at the professional and the personal front without much resistance. Despite a prolonged period of duty most of my respondents are expected to accomplish the household chores which imply that rest remains a utopia. Shirking a form of resistance might lead to job loss. Complacence and reticence leaves the only option to survive otherwise the glare of contract work that is characterized by easy hire and fire threatens to rob them of their source of income. In the absence of union of the security guards and a method of direct employment of the security guards job insecurity heightened by the occupational hazards would continue to haunt the women in uniform. The skills of circumspection, alertness and the discipline that is the quiddity of this profession is censured by the mainstream public and as a result the security guards also come to view the profession through the eyes of the critics. The research endeavour has adhered by ethical code of conduct and hence the names of the respondents have been changed. The research would have been more credible with the inclusion of few more case studies but the time-bound nature prevented me in pursuing further case studies. I would have also liked to conduct a comparative study between the experiences of permanent male security guards, contractual male security guards and the female security guards.
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SAMPLE INFORMATION My sample consists of female security guards working at the University of Hyderabad irrespective of their age, caste and duration of service.
REFERENCES Begani, Kamaga Rose; Begani, Zuivani Alphonse; So’on, Vincent and Pokasui Kinangase. 2013. ‘Impact of shift work amongst security guards in Madang’, Contemporary PNG studies, 18: 98-116. Breakwell, M. Glynis. 1985. The quiet rebel-Women at work in a man’s world. Great Britain: Century publishing co. ltd. Budhe, N.I.R., 1990. ‘Contract Labour Act: An instrument of exploitation?’, Economic and political weekly, 28 (1): 23-24. Cooley, Horton Charles.2010. Human nature and social order. Montana: Kessinger publishing. Finn, Peter. 1981. ‘The effects of shift work on the lives of employees’, Monthly Labour Review, 104 (10): 31-35. Goffman, Erving.1990. ‘Performances’. The presentation of self in everyday life. London: Penguin books, Limited. Panchadhyayi, Sayendri. 2014. ‘Voices that reverberate within the walls: Domestic workers in the gated estates of Kolkata’, EPRA International Journal of Economic & Business review, 2(10): 72-76. Ressner, Ulla. 1987. The Hidden hierarchy. Avebury: Aldershot. Watson, J. Tony. 1980. ‘Occupations, Inequality and varieties of work’. Sociology, work and Industry. New York: Routledge.
INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
QUESTIONAIRE
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE-How long have you been part of the University? Where did you work earlier? ENTRY INTO THE JOB- What made you choose security as a profession? If there has been previous work experience of the same profession, then how is it different from being part of the current university? If there has been a shift from a different profession why is it so? JOB DESCRIPTION- Elaborate on the tasks that you need to perform as part of your job? SHIFT-Exercise of agency in deciding on the shifts they want to perform; CHALLENGES- What are the challenges or occupational hazard? (Working during summers and winters or some other challenges); Job security and boredom HEALTH- Health problem and medical emergency (this is to understand who takes care of the health imperatives the female security guards) ASPIRATION-Do you see yourself continuing with the job? What are the qualities of able security personnel? GLASS CEILING- Behaviour of the male employees and equation with the fellow female employees; Promotion and wage structure PERCEPTION-How do you perceive your work? How your family perceives it? Does being a security guard influence the viewpoint of the people?
PERSONAL HOMETOWN- Migrant/ non-migrant labour DOUBLE-DAY WORK- Whether these security guards have to return home and provide their unpaid labour to the family members or there is distribution of household chores in the domestic front. EXPENDITURE- An estimate of monthly expenditure from home to place of work MODE OF TRANSPORT
INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
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Inquire about the caste identity of the security guards to discern about the social position of the security guards
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Engage in intensive participant observation to grasp the nuances of the