DON'T BE SAFETY BLINDED........,BE SAFETY MINDED...

     YOU MAY NOT GET A SECOND CHANCE

 

                      

 The 2022 film "Mili" directed by Mathukutty Xavier and starring Janhvi Kapoor, Sunny Kaushal, and Manoj Pahwa is a survival thriller that revolves around the character Mili Naudiyal. The story follows Mili as she finds herself trapped in a freezer and must fight to survive. Released on November 4, 2022, the film received a mixed response from critics.

Mili Naudiyal, a B.Sc Nursing graduate, is preparing for an overseas job and working part-time at Doon's Kitchen in a mall. She lives with her father Niranjan Naudiyal, who disapproves of Mili's plans to go to Canada. Mili is in a relationship with Sameer Kumar, who is job hunting. One night, they are stopped by the police for various violations and end up at a police station. Mili's manager, Sudheer Malkoti, unknowingly locks her inside a freezer room, trapping her in -18°C temperature.

She accidentally dislocates her leg, causing frostbite and bleeding from her nose. Niranjan and his neighbors search for Mili, but they don't find any information. Sameer, on his way to Delhi, decides to return and assist in the search. At the police station, they encounter SI Satish Rawat, who becomes suspicious of Sameer and leads to a heated argument. Rawat intentionally withholds crucial information, such as Mili's last tower location.

The search party suspects Mili may have had an altercation with an auto driver outside the mall, but the driver denies any involvement. A mall watchman suggests Mili might still be in the mall, and they finally open the freezer and discover Mili inside. She is rushed to the hospital, narrowly avoiding the final stage of hypothermia. Niranjan questions the watchman's certainty that Mili hadn't left the mall, but the watchman reveals that Mili always smiles at him when entering or exiting the mall. Mili is reunited with her father and Sameer, and the doctor confirms she is out of danger but will require physiotherapy. The watchman warns Malkhoti to install an alarm in the freezer to avoid potential consequences.

This article tries to identify the HR related issues related to “Mili” .. Furthermore, this will explore the real world HR issues related to scenarios.

 

                                                      

 

Issue 1: Unsafe Workplace environment

In the film, Mili is trapped in a freezer at her workplace. This is a clear example of a workplace safety hazard. Employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace for their employees. This includes taking steps to prevent accidents and injuries, such as providing adequate training, safety equipment, and supervision. The workplace safety issue in the film Mili is a clear example of a hazard that could have been prevented. The freezer was not properly secured, and Mili was able to get trapped inside. This could have easily been avoided if the freezer had been properly locked, or if there had been a safety mechanism in place to prevent someone from being trapped inside.

The film also shows how Mili's supervisor was not taking employees safety seriously. He told her to work alone in the freezer, even though he knew that it was a dangerous place. This is a clear example of a supervisor putting an employee at risk.

Employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace for their employees (Johnson, 2020). This includes taking steps to prevent accidents and injuries, such as providing adequate training, safety equipment, and supervision. By addressing the workplace safety issues in the film Mili, employers can help to create a safer workplace for all employees.

• Real-world Scenario: In 2019 January 26, A worker in Ampara Town experienced a sudden accident with a printing press, causing a hand to get stuck in the machine. The owner instructed welders to cut the machine for over 10 million rupees to save the worker's life. A medical team from Ampara General Hospital treated the injured worker, who was taken to Ampara Hospital for surgery. Many commended the head of the printing press, Methananda Rupsinghe, for taking measures to save the worker's life, despite the machines' value (ITN, 2019).

                                 

• Real world scenario ;In 2018 April 22, the senior laboratory controller of the Horana Rubber Factory where five death were reported. Due to the ammonia gas poisoning was arrested by the police yesterday. According to the police, the 42 years old female laboratory controller will be produced before the Horana Magistrate today...According to the sources, residents also staged a protest...the residence called for the factory to be closed down..Nineteen others who were exposed to the ammonia gas in the incident continue to receive treatment at the Horana base hospital. The Department of Labor has launched an investigation into the Industrial accident which took place at the rubber factory in Bellapitiya, Horana...  Exposure to ammonia...is assumed to be the cause of death...The Central Environment Authority (CEA) has also temporarily suspended the license of the rubber factory following the incident.  Multiple deaths at the latex factory could have been avoided if there had been a proper warning system, claim residents...According to the Police, the Factory Manager who was arrested on the grounds of negligence was produced before Horana Acting Magistrate Kanthi Kannangara on Friday, and remanded till April 25... (24 Apr 2018, vimukthi fernando,Maneshka Borham, Sunday Observer)

Issue 2: Lack of Communication

In the film, Mili's manager, does not communicate effectively with her. He does not give her clear expectations, and he does not provide her with feedback on her performance. This lack of communication leads to Mili feeling frustrated and confused.

here are some more details about the lack of communication issue in the film Mili 2022:

·         Mili's manager, does not give her clear expectations for her role. He does not tell her what he expects of her in terms of her work output, her deadlines, or her behavior. This lack of clarity leaves Mili feeling unsure of what she is supposed to do, and it makes it difficult for her to meet Mr. Bakshi's expectations.

·         Mili's manager, does not provide Mili with feedback on her performance. He does not tell her what she is doing well, and he does not tell her what she needs to improve on. This lack of feedback leaves Mili feeling like she is not doing a good job, and it makes it difficult for her to improve her performance.

·         Mili's manager, does not listen to Mili's concerns. When Mili tries to talk to him about her problems, he does not listen to her or take her concerns seriously. This lack of communication makes Mili feel like she is not being heard, and it makes her feel like she cannot trust Mili's manager,

• Real world example: In 2023 June 05, A 22-year-old worker in Kalutara, Chamara Udayanga, died after his head was crushed in a clothes printing machine while cleaning. The accident occurred at a garment factory in Pokunawatta, Waskaduwa, Kalutara. The young man had to thrust their head into the machine while it was switched off. A co-worker accidentally switched the machine on, causing the young man's head to be crushed when the heavy metal part of the machine was lowered. The young man was pronounced dead upon admission to the hospital. The police are investigating the incident (Prematilake, 2023)

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Issue 3: Work-life balance

The idea we get about Milli's character throughout this movie is that she is very simple and has feelings and emotions who behaves like other girls. She is a person who dreams about her future. So she goes to this job as a part-time employee in the restaurant, Earn money without being a burden to her father. She has a boyfriend with him and she has a great relationship with her father.. because her mother has passed away from this world by now. Also, the most important thing we can see in this film is that she is a very sensitive young woman who is very worried about her father's illness and because her boyfriend does not have a job. She goes to her job station with all these problems in her mind.  In short, why does she go out to celebrate with him that night. But something bad happens to her. They are caught by the police. At that time, she learns that her boyfriend is drunk.  When she was taken to the police, the police ordered her father to take his daughter. From that moment on, the father even stopped talking to her.

This incident that happened to her the previous day gave her a great shock. After the incident, she had to spend time thinking in the workplace. Mili was not able to do her work properly and concentrate. Mili had been at her workplace for a few hours before this accident happened.  As she was seem procrastinating herself, she had forgotten the time to go home. Her high level of stress affected her badly.

Mili works long hours and is often stressed about her job. This is a common issue for many employees, who are expected to work long hours and be available 24/7. This can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and health problems.

• Real-world example ;

  In 2019 July 31st   A 24-year-old army soldier has committed suicide at Ranasevapura camp in Anuradhapura, using his service weapon. A similar suicide was reported by a security forces member in Colombo, and an airman of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on duty at the Swiss Ambassador's residence in Colombo also committed suicide using his service weapon (Adaderana, 2019).

   
   

  
  
  
  
  

• Real world example ;

•  As investigations continue to ascertain how Colombo University student Shashiprabha died, The Kurunduwatta police are conducting further investigations into the death of 23-year-old Colombo University student Thilini Shashiprabha, who was found after falling from the 5th floor of the Faculty of Science building.  Thilini Shasiprabha Randimali Gunawardena, a resident of Lunugamwehera area of ​​Hambantota District, is a first year student of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo.  She was seen on the fifth floor on Tuesday (18) morning but was later found unconscious on the floor.  Her father, an employee of the irrigation department, said she was his second child and had joined the university three months ago.  “He went to Nugegoda and came home at the weekend.  The last time she came home she didn't look miserable.  The news that she fell from the fifth floor was a terrible blow.  We were helpless and ran to Colombo," he said. Shashiprabha died while receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of the Colombo National Hospital. Her parents told us that she had exam phobia.( June 23, 2013,The Sunday Times).

              

 It is difficult to make a general conclusion about all organizations and governments, as their actions and policies may vary widely depending on the specific context and location. However, it is true that some organizations and governments have been criticized for failing to adequately protect employees and provide safe working environments. This may be due to various factors such as inadequate laws or regulations, lack of enforcement, or  cinsufficient resources. It is important for organizations and governments to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of their employees and take appropriate measures to address any risks or hazards in the workplace.

The Sri Lankan government has enacted a number of laws and regulations aimed at protecting the health and safety of workers in the country. These laws cover a range of industries and workplaces, and include provisions for workplace inspections, safety training, and the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) where necessary. The government has also established institutions such as the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to promote workplace safety and health, and to provide training and technical assistance to employers.

In addition to government action, many Sri Lankan workplaces have implemented their own safety measures to protect their employees. This may include conducting regular safety inspections, providing appropriate PPE, and offering training and education on workplace hazards and safety procedures. Some workplaces have also established safety committees or appointed safety officers to oversee and implement safety policies.

Despite these efforts, however, workplace safety remains a significant concern in Sri Lanka, particularly in industries such as construction and manufacturing. There have been reports of workplace accidents and injuries, and some workers continue to face hazardous working conditions and inadequate safety protections. Continued efforts are needed to ensure that all Sri Lankan workers are able to work in safe and healthy environments, and that employers are held accountable for providing adequate safety protections.

Bibliography

Adaderana, 2019. adaderana.lk. [Online]
Available at: https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=56773

Firstpost, 2022. Mili movie review: Fairly engaging as a survival thriller, but far less impactful, socially insightful than the original. [Online]
Available at: https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mili-movie-review-fairly-engaging-as-a-survival-thriller-but-far-less-impactful-socially-insightful-than-the-original-11569601.html

Hayman, J., 2005. Psychometric Assessment of an Instrument Designed to Measure Work Life Balance. Research and Practice in Human Resource Management, 13(1), pp. 85-91.

ITN, 2019. ITN news. [Online]
Available at: https://www.itnnews.lk/en/2019/01/06/84708/

Luis, C., 2022. Mili (2022) Movie Ending, Explained – Does Mili manage to survive the freezer?. [Online]
Available at: https://www.highonfilms.com/mili-2022-movie-ending-explained/

Prematilake, S., 2023. Daily News. [Online]
Available at: https://www.dailynews.lk/2023/06/05/local/304900/youth-dies-after-co-worker-runs-printing-machine-waskaduwa-garment

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