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 2

C. Scope of the project 3

D. Methodology 4-5

1. Procedure

2. Formulation

3. Pilot study

4. Sample determination

E. Key findings 6-15

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

16

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.

1

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.

3

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 in-

depth 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.

5

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 2-

3 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.

6

“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.

10

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.

11

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. 2000-

3000. 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.

12

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.

13

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.

14

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 inter-

personal 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.

15

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.

16

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

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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

• Inquire about the caste identity of the security guards to discern about the

social position of the security guards

• Engage in intensive participant observation to grasp the nuances of the