Crossroads to Unemployment and Empowerment

Conventionally, educated Indian women¿s occupations have been nursing, stenography, teaching etc. However, over time women have made inroads into the professions considered as male bastions. Earlier, one could not think of women working at odd hours particularly at night outside their homes as it invited ridicule. But times have changed now with women gaining confidence and seeking jobs in BPO industries in large numbers after acquiring soft and interpersonal skills coupled with product knowledge . Jobs in sectors like BPO have empowered them. The BPO employment in India has its downside also. High attrition rate have generated insecurities and vulnerabilities. The odd working hours disrupt biological clock taking a heavy toll on health, psyche and social life. Women find it difficult to cope with high levels of stress on account of work pressure. Dual burden of work and family are difficult to manage. The safety of women in many cities further adds to their woes. Thus employment in BPO industry offers a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities for women. This study deals with the entire gamut of such issues affecting women in BPO industry based on a survey of 200 employee