A research by a U.S. body finds
A non-profit 200-bed hospital in a tribal area is now one of the 15 best working places for women. SEWA rural, that has been founded on the ideals of Swami Vivekananda and Gandhiji, received the honours from Great Place to Work, a US-based organisation that carries out research on workplace culture.
What's unique about SEWA rural's achievement is that it is the only non-profit and the only organisation from a non-metro to figure in the list. The hospital that caters to 2.5 lakh outdoor patients and 22,000 admitted patients in a year provides 26 weeks of maternity leaves, alteration in the type of workplace (place and time) and even breastfeeding breaks among others to its women employees.
"We've in all 268 employees of which 30% are in top management while 46% are in middle management. We also provide leaves for taking care of family members who may have fallen ill, apart from offering free medical services to our employees and their families," said Dr Gayatri Desai, a gynecologist working with the hospital.
And we have equal pay for our women employees, she said.
Seventy-five per cent of the employees are from the marginalised section and 60% of them are locals.
Parvinda Patel, who works as a coordinator said that 20 years ago all that she knew was tailoring work. "Then I began working for SEWA rural and they taught me computers. As an organisation, they have invested in my growth and today I have opportunities here," said Patel. She said the workplace provides freedom and opportunities.
The hospital that gets 40% grants through government funds has an annual expenditure of Rs 12 crore within 30% to 35% of its expenses being funded by donations.
RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY
- Nafisa Sheikh, who has been working with the organisation for 14 years said that she liked the religious diversity and respect the organisation provided.
- “Hospital has a temple but it also has a picture of Mecca Sharif. I remember the trustee encouraging me to be more spiritually in tune with my religion,” said Sheikh.
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