Extended training hours at STC’s - we protest

Vide circular ref. CO/HRD/FPT/Cir no.1/2011-2012 dated 7.10.2011, the ED(HRD/OD) has instructed STC’s, all-over-India, to conduct training programmes from 9.00 a.m. to 7.15 p.m. for particular groups of Agents. The advised schedule exceeds, at both ends, the normal prescribed office-hours of the Corporation. NOINO wrote to ED(HRD/OD) in this regard. The letter is reproduced below:

15.10.2011.

The Executive Director (HRD/OD),

L.I.C. of India.

Dear Sir,

Re: Extended hours of training

            We draw your attention to a circular CO/HRD/FPT/Cir no. 1/2011-2012 dated 7.10.11. The Annexure contains the time-table of Training for Financial advisor & Wealth managers. The training is of three days duration. The timings of this training as shown in the time-table for each of these days is from 9.00 a.m. to 7.15 pm. We would like to submit the following in this context:-

1. The duration of training for each day comes to 10 hours & 15 minutes. Our office-hours are for 7 hours including lunch hours. Why, then the duration of the training is more by three hours & 15 minutes?
2. Are the faculty members expected to spend more than 10 hours during this training? If not, whether, instructions have been given to all the Zones to see to it that the duration of all faculty members is not more than 7 hours (at a stretch) including lunch hours & nothing more?
3. Whether instructions have been given to all Zones to pay overtime/compensation to the faculty members for working overtime?
4. The course coordinator may be forced to spend more than 10 hours in any case. If not, whether instructions have been given to appoint two or more course coordinators to work in shifts?
5. If, indeed, the faculty members & the course coordinator have to work for more than 10 hours at a stretch, is this not inhuman attitude on the part of the management?
6. Whether, attending a course for three continuous days for more than 10 hours going to really help the Financial advisors/Wealth managers? Whether they will be able to concentrate for such a long time? Whether this will serve the real purpose of this training?

      Over the years, the management has developed a tendency to flout the well settled norms in all fields including training. In the name of saving time & money, we are going overboard, it seems. We strongly demand that such a regressive time-table may be withdrawn immediately & the same may be re-drawn in keeping with the duration of the office hours. Overtime/compensation should be paid for those who have already worked according to the time-table.

Yours faithfully,

Ganesh Kamath

GS, NOINO