Resource Cell for Juvenile Justice: Challenges of motivating social workers

AAVEZ SAJJAD HUSSAIN PGP13004

Situation: Research Cell for Juvenile Justice is a project set up by one of the premier social sciences
institute, Tata institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai in 2005. However it is facing a high attrition rate
among its social workers and project managers. The attrition rate is much more than their hiring
capabilities. The social workers are quitting because they are facing difficult circumstances and
resistance from all levels.

Actors: Jyoti Mhatre and Uma

Process: Children who entered the world of crime were referred to RCJJ. The RCJJ would try to help
these individuals get successfully rehabilitated into society. It tried to give them free legal and
medical aid. RCJJ also carried out social investigations to find out the reason for the children’s
involvement in the crime. The accused were brought to observation cells for the RCJJ to make sure
they get successfully rehabilitated

Learnings:

1. Sometimes our ideals and on ground realities are different

2. We need patience on job and to make amends with several parties on the job
3. Decision making must be coordinated with other stakeholders and co-workers in the
organisation.

Suggested action:

To motivate employees like Uma, RCJJ Should focus motivation as they cannot compete with big
conglomerates on the basis of salary package. If we study theories such as goal setting theories, it
becomes evident that if we train employee with company’s goal and vision correctly then they
themselves would be internally motivated to achieve it.

Another contemporary theory of expectancy asks employers to reward deserving employee to keep
them motivated. As expressed by many employees, no reward or recognition of their hard work is
also a major reason for their dissatisfaction, so the organisation should look into it and recognise the
efforts of its employee.

Outcome

• The employee will believe in organisational goal and do it as their work and not as a job.

• The employee who are rewarded for their good work will feel confident and empowered to
do even better and those who weren’t rewarded will do a better job in competitive spirit.