Invisible backbone - workers at IIM Lucknow

IIM Lucknow is known for its prestigious business management programs and high-paying job placements.

However, behind the scenes, there are many workers who play a crucial role in keeping the campus running smoothly.

These workers include mess staff who prepare thousands of meals each day, housekeeping staff who maintain hygiene, and security personnel who safeguard the campus.

They form the invisible backbone of IIM Lucknow's operations.

The mess, for example, operates on principles of effective scheduling, efficient operations, and economies of scale, providing four meals to over a thousand students daily.

The workers' primary motivation is to meet the financial needs of their families back home.

Many of these workers come from rural backgrounds and have transitioned from subsistence agriculture to formal employment.

They enjoy benefits such as job security, social security benefits like EPF, fixed working hours, and paid leave.

A survey conducted among the workers revealed that their wages are significantly higher than what they would earn back home.

This transition has allowed them to save money and admit their children to private colleges, marking an upward movement in their socio-economic status.

The insights from these workers provide important lessons for future managers about creating inclusive ecosystems and valuing the workforce.

As students graduate and move into leadership roles, they carry the opportunity to shape institutions and frame policies that make workplaces innovative, happier, and more sustainable.