IISc Bengaluru’s 80-hour workweek diktat sparks campus unrest over ‘spy-like surveillance’: What does the new rule say? | Today’s news

A new rule mandating 70-80 hours of work per week for research students at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru has sparked massive unrest on campus. The new attendance rule has been mandated by the Institute of Electronic Systems Engineering (ESE) and applies to staff, faculty and students on campus.

While students accused the administration of promoting a “spyware surveillance system” and “damaging mental health,” the campus justified the new attendance rule move as a way to bring “transparency, discipline and accountability.”

What does the new IISc attendance rule say?

Here’s all about the new attendance rule and parking policy that sparked unrest at the IISc Bengaluru campus:

1. New participation rules were introduced this month. It lays down the minimum weekly working hours for staff, faculty, MTech and PhD students at IISc Bengaluru.
2. According to the circular, permanent and contract employees must work 40 working hours per week. Lunch breaks are not included in the 40 working hours per week. Also read | How long is a “long work week”? Is India among the most overworked nations?
3. MTech students and first-year PhD students must spend at least 50 hours per week on campus.
4. Senior PhD students must coordinate their working hours with those of their supervisors, which are often between 70-80 hours per week.
5. Those accessing central research facilities such as the National Nanofabrication Center (NNFC), the Micro and Nano Characterization Facility (MNCF) or the IISc Microscopy Facility must separately record the hours spent at these centres.
6. Those who want to work from home are required to submit proper documentation.

In line with the rule, head of department Professor Mayank Srivastava said the new policy “is not about strictness but about promoting accountability” and that it aims to improve safety and overall efficiency.

The long working hours debate was reignited after L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan suggested that employees work up to 90 hours a week and even give up Sundays. In a viral video suggesting that employees should give up even Sundays, Subrahmanyan asks “how long can you stare at your wife”.

“I regret that I cannot make you work on Sunday. If I can make you work on Sunday, I will be happier because I work on Sunday. What do you do when you sit at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can wives stare at their husbands? Come, come to the office and start working,” he added, drawing cross-section reactions.