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A Study on Employees Absenteeism
VCR Institute of Management Studies Page 1
INTRODUCTION
Absenteeism
Absenteeism is a habitual pattern of absence from a duty or obligation. Traditionally,
absenteeism has been viewed as an indicator of poor individual performance, as well as a
breach of an implicit contract between employee and employer; it was seen as a management
problem, and framed in economic or quasi-economic terms. More recent scholarship seeks to
understand absenteeism as an indicator of psychological, medical, or social adjustment to
work
Workplace
High absenteeism in the workplace may be indicative of poor morale, but absences
can also be caused by workplace hazards or sick building syndrome. Many employers use
statistics such as the Bradford factor that do not distinguish between genuine illness and
absence for inappropriate reasons. In 2013 in the UK the CIPD estimated that the average
worker had 7.6 sick days per year[2] and that absenteeism cost employers 595 per employee
per annum.[3]
As a result, many employees feel obliged to come to work while ill, and transmit
communicable diseases to their co-workers. This leads to even greater absenteeism and
reduced productivity among other workers who try to work while ill. Work forces often
excuse absenteeism caused by medical reasons if the employee provides supporting
documentation from their medical practitioner. Sometimes, people choose not to show up for
work and do not call in advance, which businesses may find to be unprofessional and
inconsiderate. This is called a "no call, no show". According to Nelson & Quick (2008)
people who are dissatisfied with their jobs are absent more frequently. They went on to say
that the type of dissatisfaction that most often leads employees to miss work is dissatisfaction
with the work itself.
The psychological model that discusses this is the "withdrawal model", which
assumes that absenteeism represents individual withdrawal from dissatisfying working
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conditions. This finds empirical support in a negative association between absence and job
satisfaction, especially satisfaction with the work itself.[1]
Medical-based understanding of absenteeism find support in research that links
absenteeism with smoking, problem drinking, low back pain, and migraines.[4] Absence
ascribed to medical causes is often still, at least in part, voluntary. Research shows that over
one trillion dollars is lost annually due to productivity shortages as a result of medical-related
absenteeism, and that increased focus on preventative wellness could reduce these costs.[5]
The line between psychological and medical causation is blurry, given that there are positive
links between both work stress and depression and absenteeism.[4] Depressive tendencies
may lie behind some of the absence ascribed to poor physical health, as with adoption of a
"culturally approved sick role". This places the adjective "sickness" before the word
"absence", and carries a burden of more proof than is usually offered.
Evidence indicates that absence is generally viewed as "mildly deviant workplace
behavior". For example, people tend to hold negative stereotypes of absentees, under report
their own absenteeism, and believe their own attendance record is better than that of their
peers. Negative attributions about absence then bring about three outcomes: the behavior is
open to social control, sensitive to social context, and is a potential source of workplace
conflict.
Absenteeism is a habitual pattern of absence from a duty or obligation. An absence
refers to time an employee is not on the job during scheduled working hours, except for a
granted leave of absence, holiday, or vacation time. However, employee absenteeism is not
just an employee issue it is an organizational problem and therefore becomes everyone's
responsibility.
IMPACT OF ABSENTEEISM
There are many forms of absenteeism, ranging from short-term illness, long-term
illness, unauthorized absence and persistent lateness, to other authorized absences such as
annual leave, paternity leave, time off to care for dependents and compassionate leave. Other
causes might also include low morale, stress and poor working conditions, many of which are
preventable.
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The effect absenteeism can have on a business can be wide-ranging, but particularly
affects those employees left to pick up the pieces. According to Wayne Wendling, Senior
Director of Research at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.The
workings of a company have changed and employees are now much more interconnected
than previouslyand, as a result, organizations are much more dependent on their employees
2.5 COUNSELING INNOCENT ABSENTEEISM
The procedure an employer may take for innocent absenteeism is as follows:
1. Initial counseling(s)
2.
Written counseling(s)
3. Reduction(s) of hours and/or job reclassification
4. Discharge
2.5.1 Initial Counseling:
If the absences are intermittent, meet with the employee each time he/she returns to
work. If absence is prolonged, keep in touch with the employee regularly and stay updated on
the status of his/her condition. (Indicate your willingness to assist.) You may require the
employee to provide you with regular medical assessments. This will enable you to judge
whether or not there is any likelihood of the employee providing regular attendance in future.
Regular medical assessments will also give you an idea of what steps the employee is taking
to seek medical or other assistance. Formal meetings in which verbal warnings are given
should be given as appropriate and documented. If no improvement occurs written warning
may be necessary.
2.5.2 Written Counseling
If the absences persist, you should meet with the employee formally and provide
him/her with a letter of concern. If the absenteeism still continues to persist then the
employee should be given a second letter of concern during another formal meeting. This
letter would be stronger worded in that it would warn the employee that unless attendance
improves, termination may be necessary.
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2.5.3 Reduction(s) of hours and or job reclassification
In between the first and second letters the employee may be given the option to
reduce his/her hours to better fit his/her personal circumstances. This option must be
voluntarily accepted by the employee and cannot be offered as an ultimatum, as a reduction
in hours is a reduction in pay and therefore can be looked upon as discipline.
2.5.4 Discharge
Only when all the previously noted needs and conditions have been met and
everything has been done to accommodate the employee can termination be considered. An
Arbitrator would consider the following in ruling on an innocent absenteeism dismissal case.
1. Has the employee done everything possible to regain their health and return to
work?
2. Has the employer provided every assistance possible? (i.e. counselling,
support, time off.)
3.
Has the employer informed the employee of the unworkable situation resulting
from their sickness?
4. Has the employer attempted to accommodate the employee by offering a more
suitable position (if available) or a reduction of hours?
5. Has enough time elapsed to allow for every possible chance of recovery?
Corrective Action for Culpable Absenteeism
As already indicated, culpable absenteeism consists of absences where it can be
demonstrated that the employee is not actually ill and is able to improve his/her attendance.
Presuming you have communicated attendance expectations generally, have identified
the employee as a problem, have met with him/her as part of your attendance program, made
your concerns on his specific absenteeism known and have offered counselling as
appropriate, with no improvement despite your positive efforts, disciplinary procedures may
be appropriate.
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The procedures for corrective/progressive discipline for culpable absenteeism are
generally the same as for other progressive discipline problems. The discipline should not be
prejudicial in any way.
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INDUSTRY PROFILE
Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin (other than
liming materials) that is added to soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the
growth of plants. Conservative estimates report 30 to 50% of crop yields are attributed to
natural or synthetic commercial fertilizer. Global market value is likely to rise to more than
US$185 billion until 2019. The European fertilizer market will grow to earn revenues of
approx. 15.3 billion in 2018.
Mined inorganic fertilizers have been used for many centuries, whereas chemically
synthesized inorganic fertilizers were only widely developed during theindustrial revolution.
Increased understanding and use of fertilizers were important parts of the pre-
industrial British Agricultural Revolution and the industrialGreen Revolution of the 20th
century.
Inorganic fertilizer use has also significantly supported globalpopulation growth it
has been estimated that almost half the people on the Earth are currently fed as a result of
synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use. Fertilizers typically provide, in varyingproportions:
Six macronutrients:
Nitrogen (N),phosphorus (P),potassium (K),calcium (Ca),magnesium (Mg), and Sulfur (S);
Eight micronutrients:
Boron (B),chlorine (Cl),copper (Cu),iron (Fe),manganese (Mn),molybdenum (Mo)
,zinc (Zn) andnickel (Ni) (1987).
The macronutrients are consumed in larger quantities and are present in plant tissue in
quantities from 0.15% to 6.0% on a dry matter (0% moisture) basis (DM). Micronutrients are
consumed in smaller quantities and are present in plant tissue on the order of parts per million
(ppm), ranging from 0.15 to 400 ppm DM, or less than 0.04% DM. Only three other
structural elements are required by all plants:carbon,hydrogen,andoxygen.These nutrients
are supplied by water (through rainfall or irrigation) and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
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History
Management ofsoil fertility has been the pre-occupation of farmers for thousands of
years. The start of the modern science of plant nutrition dates to the 19th century and the
work of German chemistJustus von Liebig, among others. John Bennet Lawes, an
Englishentrepreneur, began to experiment on the effects of various manures on plants
growing in pots in 1837, and a year or two later the experiments were extended to crops in
the field.
One immediate consequence was that in 1842 he patented manure formed by treating
phosphates with sulphuric acid, and thus was the first to create the artificial manure industry.In the succeeding year he enlisted the services ofJoseph Henry Gilbert,with whom he carried
on for more than half a century on experiments in raising crops at theRothamsted
Experimental Station.
TheBirkelandEyde process was one of the competing industrial processes in the
beginning of nitrogen based fertilizer production. It was developed by Norwegian
industrialist and scientistKristian Birkeland along with his business partnerSam Eyde in
1903, based on a method used byHenry Cavendish in 1784.
This process was used to fix atmosphericnitrogen (N2) intonitric acid (HNO3), one of
several chemical processes generally referred to asnitrogen fixation.The resultant nitric acid
was then used as a source ofnitrate (NO3-) in the reaction
HNO3 H++ NO3
-
which may take place in the presence of water or anotherproton acceptor.Nitrate is
an ion which plants can absorb. A factory based on the process was built
inRjukan andNotodden in Norway, combined with the building of largehydroelectric
power facilities.
The Birkeland-Eyde process is relatively inefficient in terms of energy consumption.
Therefore, in the 1910s and 1920s, it was gradually replaced in Norway by a combination of
theHaber process and theOstwald process. The Haber process produces ammonia (NH3)
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frommethane (CH4) gas and molecular nitrogen (N2). The ammonia from the Haber process
is then converted intonitric acid (HNO3) in theOstwald process.
Forms
Fertilizers come in various forms. The most typical form is solid fertilizer in
granulated or powdered forms. The next most common form is liquid fertilizer; some
advantages of liquid fertilizer are its immediate effect and wide coverage. There are also
slow-release fertilizers (various forms including fertilizer spikes, tabs, etc.) which reduce the
problem of "burning" the plants due to excess nitrogen. Polymer coating of fertilizer
ingredients gives tablets and spikes a'true time-release' or 'staged nutrient release' (SNR) offertilizer nutrients.
More recently,organic fertilizer is on the rise as people are resorting toenvironmental
friendly (or 'green') products. Although organic fertilizers usually contain a lower
concentration of nutrients, this lower concentration avoids complication of nitrogen burn
harming the plants. In addition, organic fertilizers such as compost and worm castings break
down slowly into complex organic structures (humus) which build the soil's structure and
moisture- and nutrient-retaining capabilities
Inorganic commercial fertilizer
Fertilizers are broadly divided intoorganic fertilizers(composed of organic plant or
animal matter), orinorganic or commercial fertilizers. Plants can only absorb their
requirednutrients if they are present in easily dissolved chemical compounds. Both organic
and inorganic fertilizers provide the same needed chemical compounds. Organic fertilizers
provided other macro and micro plant nutrients and are released as the organic matter
decaysthis may take months or years. Organic fertilizers nearly always have much lower
concentrations of plant nutrients and have the usual problems of economical collection,
treatment, transportation and distribution.
Inorganic fertilizers nearly always are readily dissolved and unless added have few
other macro and micro plant nutrients nor added any 'bulk' to the soil. Nearly all nitrogen that
plants use is in the form of NH3or NO3compounds. The usable phosphorus compounds are
usually in the form of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and the potassium (K) is typically in the form
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of potassium chloride (KCl). In organic fertilizers nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
compounds are released from the complex organic compounds as the animal or plant matter
decays. In commercial fertilizers the same required compounds are available in easily
dissolved compounds that require no decaythey can be used almost immediately after
water is applied. Inorganic fertilizers are usually much more concentrated with up to 64%
(18-46-0) of their weight being a given plant nutrient, compared to organic fertilizers that
only provide 0.4% or less of their weight as a givenplant nutrient.
Nitrogen fertilizers are often made using theHaber-Bosch process (invented 1909)
which uses natural gas (CH4+) for the hydrogen and nitrogen gas (N2) from the air at an
elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst to form ammonia (NH3) as the
end product. This ammonia is used as afeedstock for other nitrogen fertilizers, such
asanhydrous ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) andurea (CO(NH2)2). These concentrated
products may be diluted with water to form a concentrated liquid fertilizer (e.g.UAN).
Deposits of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) (Chilean saltpeter) are also found theAtacama
desert inChile and was one of the original (1830) nitrogen rich inorganic fertilizers used. It is
still mined for fertilizer.
In theNitrophosphate process orOdda Process (invented in 1927),phosphate
rock with up to a 20% phosphorus (P) content is dissolved withnitric acid (HNO3) to produce
a mixture ofphosphoric acid (H3PO4) andcalcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2). This can be combined
with a potassium fertilizer to produce a compound fertilizer with the three macronutrients N,
P and K in easily dissolved form.
Phosphate rock can also be processed into water-soluble phosphate (P2O5) with the
addition of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to make the phosphoric acid in phosphate fertilizers.
Phosphate can also be reduced in an electric furnace to make high purity phosphorus;
however, this is more expensive than the acid process.
Potash can be used to make potassium (K) fertilizers. All commercial potash deposits
come originally from marine deposits and are often buried deep in the earth. Potash ores are
typically rich in potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium chloride (NaCl) and are obtained by
conventional shaft mining with the extracted ore ground into a powder. For deep potash
deposits hot water is injected into the potash which is dissolved and then pumped to the
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surface where it is concentrated by solar induced evaporation.Amine reagents are then added
to either the mined or evaporated solutions. The amine coats the KCl but not NaCl. Air
bubbles cling to the amine + KCl and float it to the surface while the NaCl and clay sink to
the bottom. The surface is skimmed for the amine + KCl which is then dried and packaged
for use as a K rich fertilizerKCl dissolves readily in water and is available quickly forplant
nutrition. Compound fertilizers often combine N, P and K fertilizers into easily dissolved
pellets. The N:P:K ratios quoted on fertilizers give the weight percent of the fertilizer in
nitrogen (N), phosphate (P2O5) and potash (K2O equivalent)
The use of commercial inorganic fertilizers has increased steadily in the last 50 years,
rising almost 20-fold to the current rate of 100 million tonnes of nitrogen per year. Withoutcommercial fertilizers it is estimated that about one-third of the food produced now could not
be produced. The use of phosphate fertilizers has also increased from 9 million tonnes per
year in 1960 to 40 million tonnes per year in 2000. A maize crop yielding 69 tonnes of grain
per hectare requires 3150 kg ofphosphate fertilizer to be applied, soybean requires 20
25 kg per hectare.Yara International is the world's largest producer of nitrogen based
fertilizers.
Controlled-release types
Urea and formaldehyde, reacted together to produce sparingly soluble polymers of
various molecular weights, is one of the oldest controlled-nitrogen-release technologies,
having been first produced in 1936 and commercialized in 1955. The early product had 60
percent of the total nitrogen cold-water-insoluble, and the un-reacted (quick release) less than
15%. Methylene ureas were commercialized in the 1960s and 1970s, having 25 and 60% of
the nitrogen cold-water-insoluble, and un-reacted urea nitrogen in the range of 15 to 30%.
Isobutylidene diurea, unlike the methylurea polymers, is a single crystalline solid of relatively
uniform properties, with about 90% of the nitrogen water-insoluble.
In the 1960s, the National Fertilizer Development Centerbegan developing Sulfur-
coated urea; sulfur was used as the principle coating material because of its low cost and its
value as a secondary nutrient. Usually there is another wax or polymer which seals the sulfur;
the slow release properties depend on the degradation of the secondary sealant by soil
microbes as well as mechanical imperfections (cracks, etc.) in the sulfur. They typically
provide 6 to 16 weeks of delayed release in turf applications. When a hard polymer is used as
the secondary coating, the properties are a cross between diffusion-controlled particles and
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traditional sulfur-coated. Other coated products use thermoplastics (and sometimes ethylene-
vinyl acetate and surfactants, etc.) to produce diffusion-controlled release of urea or soluble
inorganic fertilizers. "Reactive Layer Coating" can produce thinner, hence cheaper,
membrane coatings by applying reactive monomers simultaneously to the soluble particles.
"Multicote" is a process applying layers of low-cost fatty acid salts with a paraffin topcoat.
Besides being more efficient in the utilization of the applied nutrients, slow-release
technologies also reduce the impact on the environment and the contamination of the
subsurface water.
Application
Synthetic fertilizers are commonly used for growing all crops, with application rates
depending on the soil fertility, usually as measured by asoil test and according to the
particular crop. Legumes, for example, fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and generally do not
require nitrogen fertilizer. Studies have shown that application of nitrogen fertilizer on off-
seasoncover crops can increase the biomass (and subsequentgreen manure value) of these
crops, while having a beneficial effect on soil nitrogen levels for the main crop planted during
the summer season.
Nutrients in soil can be thrown out of balance with high concentrations of fertilizers.
The interconnectedness and complexity of thissoil food webmeans any appraisal of soil
function must necessarily take into account interactions with the living communities that exist
within the soil. Stability of the system is reduced by the use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers,
which causesoil acidification. Applying excessive amounts of fertilizer has negative
environmental effects, and wastes the growers' time and money. To avoid over-application,
the nutrient status of crops should be assessed. Nutrient deficiency can be detected by
visually assessing the physical symptoms of the crop.Nitrogen deficiency,for example has a
distinctive presentation in some species. However, quantitative tests are more reliable for
detecting nutrient deficiency before it has significantly affected the crop. Both soil
tests andPlant Tissue Tests are used in agriculture to fine-tune nutrient management to the
crops needs.
Problems with inorganic fertilizer
a.
Water pollution: The nutrients, especially nitrates, in fertilizers can cause problems
for natural habitats and for human health if they are washed off soil into watercourses or
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leached through soil into groundwater. In Europe these problems are being addressed by
the European Union's Nitrates Directive. Within Britain farmers are encouraged to
manage their land more sustainably in 'catchment-sensitive farming'. In the US, excess
fertilizer runoff is classified as non-point source pollutants due to the inability to quantify
the amount entering bodies of water and shallow aquifers.
b. Contamination with impurities: Common agricultural grade phosphate fertilizers
usually contain impurities such as fluorides, cadmium and uranium, although
concentrations of the latter twoheavy metals are dependent on the source of the
phosphate and the production process. These potentially harmful impurities can be
removed; however, this significantly increases cost. Highly pure fertilizers are widely
available and perhaps best known as the highly water soluble fertilizers containing blue
dyes used around households. These highly water soluble fertilizers are used in the plant
nursery business and are available in larger packages at significantly less cost than retail
quantities. There are also some inexpensive retail granular garden fertilizers made with
high purity ingredients. Oregon and Washington both in the United States, have fertilizer
registration programs with on-line databases listing chemical analyses of fertilizers. The
fluoride content of many widely used phosphate fertilizers has increased soil fluoride
concentrations, prompting considerable research into the possibility that soil productivity
and food quality may be compromised. It has been found that food contamination from
fertilizer is of little concern as plants accumulate little fluoride from the soil; of greater
concern is the possibility of fluoride toxicity to livestock that ingest contaminated
soils. Also of possible concern are the effects of fluoride on soil microorganisms.
c. Soil acidification: Also regular use of acidulated fertilizers generally contribute to the
accumulation of soil acidity in soils which progressively increases aluminium availability
and hence toxicity. The use of such acidulated fertilizers in the tropical and semi-tropicalregions of Indonesia and Malaysia has contributed to soil degradation on a large scale
from aluminium toxicity, which can only be countered by applications of limestone or
preferably magnesian dolomite, which neutralises acid soil pH and also provides essential
magnesium.
d. Trace mineral depletion: Scientific investigations have indicated a trend of decreasing
concentrations of minerals (such as iron, zinc, copper and magnesium) in many foods
over the last 50-60 years. Intensive farming practices, including the use of inorganicfertilizers are frequently suggested as reasons for these declines and organic farming is
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often suggested as a solution. Although improved crop yields resulting from inorganic
NPK fertilizers are known to dilute the concentrations of other nutrients in plants, much
of the measured decline can be attributed to the use of progressively higher-yielding crop
varieties which produce foods with lower mineral concentrations than their less
productive ancestors. It is, therefore, unlikely that organic farming or reduced use of
inorganic fertilizers will solve the problem; foods with high nutrient density are more
likely to be achieved using older, lower-yielding varieties or the development of new
high-yield, nutrient-dense varieties.
e. Inorganic fertilizers are, in fact, more likely to solve trace mineral deficiency
problems than cause them: In Western Australia deficiencies ofzinc,copper,manganese,
iron andmolybdenum were identified as limiting the growth of broad-acre crops and
pastures in the 1940s and 1950s. Soils in Western Australia are very old, highly
weathered and deficient in many of the major nutrients and trace elements. Since this time
these trace elements are routinely added to inorganic fertilizers used in agriculture in this
state. Many other soils around the world are deficient in zinc, leading to deficiency in
both plants and humans, and inorganic zinc fertilizers are widely used to solve this
problem.
f.
Over-fertilization of a vital nutrient can be as detrimental as under-
fertilization. "Fertilizer burn" can occur when too much fertilizer is applied, resulting in
drying out of the leaves and damage or even death of the plant. Fertilizers vary in their
tendency to burn roughly in accordance with their salt index.
g. High energy consumption: In the USA in 2004, 317 billion cubic feet of natural gas
were consumed in the industrial production of ammonia, less than 1.5% of total U.S.
annual consumption of natural gas. A 2002 report suggested that the production of
ammonia consumes about 5% of global natural gas consumption, which is somewhat
under 2% of world energy production. Ammonia is overwhelmingly produced from
natural gas, but other energy sources, together with a hydrogen source such as water
(viawater splitting orelectrolysis), can be used for the production of nitrogen compounds
suitable for fertilizers. The cost of natural gas makes up about 90% of the cost of
producing ammonia. The increase in price of natural gases over the past decade, along
with other factors such as increasing demand, have contributed to an increase in fertilizer
price.
h.
Contribution to climate change: The greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methaneand nitrous oxide are produced during themanufacture of nitrogen fertilizer. The effects
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can be combined into an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide. The amount varies
according to the efficiency of the process. The figure for the United Kingdom is over 2
kilogrammes of carbon dioxide equivalent for each kilogram of ammonium
nitrate. Nitrogen fertilizer can be converted bysoil bacteria tonitrous oxide,agreenhouse
gas.
i. Impacts on mycorrhizas: High levels of fertilizer may cause the breakdown of
thesymbiotic relationships between plant roots andmycorrhizal fungi.
j. Lack of long-term sustainability: Inorganic fertilizers are now produced in ways
which theoretically cannot be continued indefinitely by definition as the resources used in
their production arenon-renewable. Potassium and phosphorus come from mines
(or saline lakes such as theDead Sea) and such resources are limited. However, more
effective fertilizer utilization practices may decrease present usage from mines. Improved
knowledge of crop production practices can potentially decrease fertilizer usage of P and
K without reducing the critical need to improve and increase crop yields. Atmospheric
(unfixed)nitrogen is effectively unlimited (forming over 70% of theatmospheric gases),
but this is not in a form useful to plants. To make nitrogen accessible to plants
requiresnitrogen fixation (conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to a plant-accessible form).
Artificial nitrogen fertilizers are typically synthesized usingfossil fuels such as
natural gas and coal, which are limited resources. In lieu of converting natural gas
tosyngas for use in theHaber process, it is also possible to convert
renewablebiomass to syngas (orwood gas) to supply the necessary energy for the
process, though the amount of land and resources (ironically often including fertilizer)
necessary for such a project may be prohibitive.
Organic fertilizer
Organic fertilizers include naturally occurring organic materials, (e.g.chicken
litter,manure,worm castings,compost, seaweed,guano,bone meal) or naturally occurring
mineral deposits (e.g.saltpeter).Poultry litter and cattle manure often create environmental
and disposal problems, making their use as fertilizer beneficial. Bones can be processed into
phosphate-rich bone meal; however, most are simply buried in landfills. The extent of
imbalance in the phosphate and other mineral cycles is such that if all human, animal and
plant wastes were recovered to the extent practical and used for fertilizer, mineral fertilizers
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and synthetic nitrogen would be needed to make up for losses impractical to recover through
leaching, atmospheric dispersion and runoff.
Benefits of organic fertilizer
Organic fertilizers have been known to improve biodiversity (soil life)and long-term
productivity of soil, and may prove a large depository for excesscarbon dioxide. Organic
nutrients increase the abundance of soil organisms by providing organic matter
andmicronutrients for organism relationships such as fungalmycorrhiza,(which aid plants in
absorbing nutrients), and can drastically reduce external inputs of pesticides, energy and
fertilizer, at the cost of decreased yield.
Disadvantages of complex fertilizers
Some composted biowastes used as organic fertilizers may support the growth of
pathogens and other disease causing organisms if not properly composted.
Nutrient contents are variable and their release to available forms that the plant can
use may not occur at the right plant growth stage.
Comparison with inorganic fertilize
Organic fertilizer nutrient content, solubility, and nutrient release rates are typically all lower
than inorganic fertilizers. One study found that over a 140-day period, after 7leachings:
Organic fertilizers had released between 25% and 60% of their nitrogen
content
Controlled release fertilizers (CRFs) had a relatively constant rate of release
Soluble fertilizer released most of its nitrogen content at the first leaching
In general, the nutrients in organic fertilizer are both more dilute and also much less
readily available to plants. According to the University of California's integrated pest
management program, all organic fertilizers are classified as 'slow-release' fertilizers, and
therefore cannot cause nitrogen burn.
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Organic fertilizers from composts and other sources can be quite variable from one batch to
the next. Without batch testing, amounts of applied nutrient cannot be precisely known.
Nevertheless, one or more studies have shown they are at least as effective as chemical
fertilizers over longer periods of use.
Examples of organic fertilizer
Chicken litter,which consists of chicken manure mixed with sawdust, is an organic
fertilizer that has been shown to better condition soil for harvest than synthesized fertilizer.
Researchers at theAgricultural Research Service (ARS) studied the effects of using chicken
litter, an organic fertilizer, versus synthetic fertilizers on cotton fields, and found that fieldsfertilized with chicken litter had a 12% increase in cotton yields over fields fertilized with
synthetic fertilizer. In addition to higher yields, researchers valued commercially sold chicken
litter at a $17/ton premium (to a total valuation of $78/ton) over the traditional valuations of
$61/ton due to value added as asoil conditioner.
Other ARS studies have found that algae used to capture nitrogen and phosphorus
runoff from agricultural fields can not only prevent water contamination of these nutrients,
but also can be used as an organic fertilizer. ARS scientists originally developed the "algal
turf scrubber" to reduce nutrient runoff and increase quality of water flowing into streams,
rivers, and lakes. They found that this nutrient-rich algae, once dried, can be applied to
cucumber and corn seedlings and result in growth comparable to that seen using synthetic
fertilizers.
Examples
Compost
Rock phosphate
Bone meal
Manure
Alfalfa
Wood chips/sawdust
RawLangbeinite Cover crops
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Unprocessed naturalpotassium sulfate
Fish emulsion
Organic fertilizer sources
Animal
Animal-sourced and humanurea are suitable for application organic agriculture,
while pure synthetic forms of urea are not. The common thread that can be seen through these
examples is that organic agriculture attempts to define itself through minimal processing (in
contrast to the man-madeHaber process), as well as being naturally occurring or via natural
biological processes such ascomposting. Besides immediate application of urea to the
soil,urine can also be improved by converting it tostruvite already done with human urine by
a Dutch firm. The conversion is performed by adding magnesium to the urine. An added
economical advantage of using urine as fertilizer is that it contains a large amount of
phosphorus. Recycledsewage sludge (akabiosolids) as soil amendment is only available to
less than 1% of US agricultural land. Industrial pollutants in sewage sludge prevents
recycling it as fertilizer. TheUSDAprohibits use ofsewage sludge inorganic
agricultural operations in the U.S. due to industrial pollution, pharmaceuticals, hormones,
heavy metals, and other factors. The USDA now requires 3rd-party certification of high-
nitrogen liquid organic fertilizers sold in the U.S.
Plant
Leguminous cover crops or fertilizer trees are also grown to enrich soil as agreen
manure throughnitrogen fixation from the atmosphere;[81]as well as phosphorus (through
nutrient mobilization) content ofsoils.
Mineral
Mined powderedlimestone,rock phosphate andsodium nitrate, areinorganic (not of
biologic origins) compounds which are energetically intensive to harvest and are approved
for usage in organic agriculture in minimal amounts
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Eutrophication
The nitrogen-rich compounds found in fertilizer runoff are the primary cause of
serious oxygen depletion in many parts of the ocean, especially in coastal zones. The
resulting lack of dissolved oxygen is greatly reducing the ability of these areas to sustain
oceanicfauna.Visually, water may become cloudy and discolored (green, yellow, brown, or
red). About half of all the lakes in the United States are noweutrophic,while the number of
oceanicdead zones near inhabited coastlines are increasing. As of 2006, the application of
nitrogen fertilizer is being increasingly controlled in northwestern Europe and the United
States. If eutrophication can be reversed, it may take decades before the accumulated nitrates
in groundwater can be broken down by natural processes.
Blue baby syndrome
High application rates of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers in order to maximize crop
yields combined with the high solubilities of these fertilizers leads to increased runoff into
surface water as well asleaching into groundwater. The use of ammonium
nitrate in inorganic fertilizers is particularly damaging, as plants absorb ammonium ions
preferentially over nitrate ions, while excess nitrate ions which are not absorbed dissolve (by
rain or irrigation) into runoff or groundwater. Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L (10 ppm) in
groundwater can cause 'blue baby syndrome' (acquiredmethemoglobinemia), leading
tohypoxia (which can lead to coma and death if not treated).
Soil acidification
Nitrogen-containing inorganic and organic fertilizers can causesoil
acidification when added. This may lead to decreases in nutrient availability which may be
offset byliming.
Persistent organic pollutants
Toxic persistent organic pollutants ("POPs"), such asDioxins,polychlorinated
dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), andpolychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) have been detected
in agricultural fertilizers and soil amendments.
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Heavy metal accumulation
The concentration ofcadmium in phosphorus-containing fertilizers varies
considerably; for example, mono-ammonium phosphate fertilizer may have a cadmium
content of as low as 0.14 mg/kg or as high as 50.9 mg/kg. This is because the phosphate rock
used in their manufacture can contain as much as 188 mg/kg cadmium (examples are deposits
onNauru and theChristmas islands). Continuous use of high-cadmium fertilizer can
contaminate soil (as shown in New Zealand) and plants. A proposal to limit the cadmium
content of phosphate fertilizers is being considered by theEuropean Commission. Steel
industry wastes, recycled into fertilizers for their high levels ofzinc (essential to plant
growth), wastes can include the following toxic metals: leadarsenic, cadmium,chromium,
and nickel. The most common toxic elements in this type of fertilizer are mercury, lead, and
arsenic.
Radioactive element accumulation
Uranium is another example of a contaminant often found in phosphate fertilizers (at
levels from 7 to 100 pCi/g). Eventually these heavy metals can build up to unacceptable
levels and build up in vegetable produce. Average annual intake of uranium by adults is
estimated to be about 0.5 mg (500 g) from ingestion of food and water and 0.6 g from
breathing air. Also, highlyradioactivePolonium-210 contained in phosphate fertilizers is
absorbed by the roots of plants and stored in its tissues; tobacco derived from plants fertilized
by rock phosphates contains Polonium-210 which emitsalpha radiation estimated to cause
about 11,700 lung cancer deaths each year worldwide. For these reasons, it is recommended
thatnutrient budgeting, through careful observation and monitoring of crops, take place to
mitigate the effects of excess fertilizer application.
Atmosphere
Globalmethane concentrations (surface and atmospheric) for 2005; note distinct plumes
Methane emissions from crop fields (notably ricepaddy fields) are increased by the
application of ammonium-based fertilizers; these emissions contribute greatly to global
climate change as methane is a potent greenhouse gas. Through the increasing use of nitrogen
fertilizer, which is was used at a rate of about 110 million tons (of N) per year in 2012 to the
already existing amount of reactive nitrogen,nitrous oxide (N2O) has become the third most
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importantgreenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane. It has a global warming potential
296 times larger than an equal mass of carbon dioxide and it also contributes to stratospheric
ozone depletion. The use of fertilizers on a global scaleemits significant
quantities ofgreenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Emissions come about through the use of:
animalmanures andurea,which releasemethane,nitrous oxide,ammonia,andcarbon
dioxide in varying quantities depending on their form (solid or liquid) and management
(collection, storage, spreading).
fertilizers that usenitric acid orammonium bicarbonate, the production and
application of which results in emissions of nitrogen,nitrous oxide,ammonia andcarbon
dioxide into the atmosphere.
By changing processes and procedures, it is possible to mitigate some, but not all, of these
effects onanthropogenic climate change.
Other problems
Increased pest fitness
Excessive nitrogen fertilizer applications can also lead to pest problems by increasing
the birth rate, longevity and overall fitness of certain agricultural pests, such as aphids (plant
lice).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attribution_of_recent_climate_change#Livestock_and_land_usehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attribution_of_recent_climate_change#Livestock_and_land_usehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ureahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammoniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitric_acidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_bicarbonatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammoniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropogenic_climate_changehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropogenic_climate_changehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammoniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_bicarbonatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitric_acidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammoniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ureahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attribution_of_recent_climate_change#Livestock_and_land_usehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attribution_of_recent_climate_change#Livestock_and_land_usehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas -
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COMPANY PROFILE
Products
MFL manufactures a variety of products, chemical fertilizers, bio-fertilizers and
agrochemicals are some of its main products. Phosphoric Acid (P 2O2), Ammonia, Muriate of
Potash (MOP) and urea are imported for use in the manufacture of complex fertilizers. The
imports are regulated by the company and are based on the needs of the company.
Marketing
MFL manufactures and markets Chemical Fertilizers, Bio-fertilizers and Agro-
Chemicals under the brand name VIJAY in the States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Pondicherry. The brand name VIJAY was selected
among various names just to represent the product of MFL.
MFL has a well-developed marketing network of over 7000 dealers and 12
institutional agencies including the Co-operative Marketing Federations of respective States,
Agro Industries Corporation and other Institutions as marketers. The marketing zones of
MFL include the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and
Pondicherry.
The products of MFL are made available to farmers through nearly 15,000 outlets.
The field marketing activities are coordinated through a network of regional offices located in
14 strategic centres of different states backed up by about 130 experienced and professionally
trained marketing officers.
Organisational Structure of MFL
MFL was set up on the 8th of December 1966 to produce fertilizers and meet the
demands of the agricultural sector in the southern states of India. Madras Fertilizers Limited
(MFL), as the name implies is a Limited company. It is incorporated under the Companies
Act, 1956. The Memorandum and Articles of Association of MFL give the details regardingthe constitution of the Board of Directors, the Chairman and Managing Director and the other
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Directors. The organizational structure of MFL is well explained in terms of organizational
chart which is given in figure
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Board of Directors
The administrative structure of MFL consists of a Board of Management at the top,
which may be referred to as the Board of Directors of the company. The Board occupies the
fourth position in the hierarchy of public enterprises in India. The first among the hierarchy
being the President of India, in whose name the executive government functions and spheres
of government companies are held; the second being the cabinet which is the final arbiter in
all matters of policy; the third is the ministry, headed by the minister; and the fourth is the
one occupied by the Board headed by the chairman of the company (Laxmi Narain, 1980).
The Board is the top management organ responsible for implementing the objectives of an
enterprise. The average size of the Board at MFL has been eight from 1993 onwards.
Chairman and Managing Director of MFL
Many companies in India do have a separate Chairman who heads the Board of
Directors and a separate Managing Director to manage the day-to-day affairs of the company.
In MFL, both the positions are clubbed and the same person holds the positions of Chairman
and Managing Director (CMD). The CMD is also the Chief Executive Officer of the
company. The organisational structure commences just below the Board of Directors of the
company with the CMD as the head of the organisation, who is also the Chief Executive.
The staff agencies constitute the following officers who provide functional assistance.
1) General Manager (Personnel and Administration)
2)
General Manager (Technical)
3) General Manager (Marketing and Distribution)
4) General Manager (Finance and Accounts)
5)
Chief Vigilance Officer
6) Company Secretary
The posts of the heads of the departments of various subjects are filled in either by
promotion or by deputation or through direct recruitment. These heads of departments are
responsible for advising the CMD in their respective fields of activity. The process of
organisation, which is an important constituent in the public enterprise management, is
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effectively adopted by MFL. The organisation is well structured in order to meet the general
and specific objectives of the company.
Personnel Management in MFL
The employees who work in a public enterprise like MFL are considered to be its
prime asset. In a public sector company like MFL, the success of the organisation lies in the
efficient management of the working force. Personnel management is like the nervous system
in a human body. It is the most important and vital system that controls the organisation.
MFL has a total strength of 756 employees. They perform a variety of functions by
occupying various levels of positions to achieve the corporate objectives of the company.MFL has broadly classified its employees into two main categories as follows: Supervisory
Grade and Non-Supervisory Grade.
The Supervisory grade includes all categories of posts in the management cadre in the
departments of Personnel and Administration, Technical department, Marketing and
Distribution and the department of Finance and Accounts. The supervisory grade is further
divided into eight categories namely,
Grade Designation
E8 - General Manager / Executive Director
E7 - DGMs / JGMs
E6 - Chief Manager
E5 - Manager
E4 - Additional Manager
E3 - Deputy Manager
E2 - Assistant Manager
E1 - Senior Officer / Senior Engineer
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The non-supervisory grade includes all personnel in the various departments of MFL. The
non-supervisory grade is further classified into five categories namely,
Grade Designation
Grade V - Senior Assistants
Grade IV - Assistants
Grade III - Junior Assistants
Grade II - Drivers / Technicians
Grade I - Attendants
The total personnel of the MFL of all classes, thus, cover the following departments
of the company: Personnel and Administration, Technical, which includes Plant and
Maintenance department, Marketing department, Distribution department, Finance and
Accounts, Medical, Management Information System, Canteen, Legal, Public Relation,
Security and Vigilance, Fire and Safety department, Process Engineering, Productiondepartment, Purchase department, including the secretary and line managers like the regional
managers in the regional offices. (Memorandum and Articles of Association of MFL).
Non-Financial Rewards Provided by Madras Fertilizers Ltd.
MFL is an organisation which provides a number of non-financial rewards to its
employees for the welfare and for the purpose of keeping the employees motivated. All these
measures are governed by the companys management, which has detailed policies for each
welfare measure. The non-financial rewards at MFL can be classified into the following: 1.
Consumables Rewards 2. Manipulatables Rewards 3. Tokens, Visual and Auditory Rewards
4. Social Rewards and 5. Job Design Rewards.
1. Consumables Rewards
a. Canteen Facilities:MFL runs a well maintained canteen, well organized
and run under the supervision of a DGM. The hustle and bustle in the canteen during
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the lunch hour is a proof for its popularity. Quality food both vegetarian and non-
vegetarian is provided at a subsidized rate.
b. Health Drinks:Employees working in shifts at least for 10 days in a month
will be given health drinks (1/2 kg Horlicks) per month.
c. Lunch or Dinner Allowance: MFL employees have to go out of their
work place frequently on official work during lunch / dinner hours and this causes
them hardship. To obviate such hardship, lunch/dinner allowance is being provided to
the employees who are on official visit. This applies to all MFL employees.
A) Manipulatables Rewards
a. Transportation: MFL maintains a certain number of vehicles for the use of
its employees. The vehicles are allotted to the departments on need basis. Cars are
used for all official work by the employees who are not being reimbursed for their
travel expenses. At the times of emergencies cars can be requisitioned from the
general pool or other departments, if available. If not, cars can even be hired from
outside. Group / Department head is provided a departmental car. Employees in Grade
E5 and above, Regional Managers, Additional Regional Managers and General
Superintendents are provided conveyance from their residence to work place and
back. Employees below Grade E5 are picked from convenient places en-route to the
plant. Employees who are called for work in the plant between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. from
their residence for any emergency are provided with free company transport.
Employees who are required to stay back for work on any day beyond 7 p.m are
provided with free company transport. Thus the transport requirements of the
employees are taken care of by the company.
b.
Service Awards: MFL recognizes the need for continued service and
loyalty of its employees. A service award programme has been instituted for the
employees to achieve these objectives. All permanent MFL employees who have
satisfactorily completed 5 years or more of continuous service are eligible for the
service award. The service awards are presented to such employees who are eligible
on completion of the first 5 years, 10 years and 20 years service with MFL. The
award is in the form of a certificate of appreciation and a token presentation of an
article of value. The articles of value to be presented are given below:
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5 years service award: A wrist watch or pencil and pen set.
10 years service award: A gold ring.
20 years service award: a gold chain or bangles (12 grams).
c. Uniforms and Other Liveries:Uniforms are issued to all employees as
indicated below.
i. For male employees:
(a) Three sets of pants and shirts per year.
(b) The medical attendants are supplied with four sets of white
pants and shirts in a year.
ii. For female employees:
(a) Three sets of sarees and blouses in a year.
Overcoats: All laboratory personnel are provided with two pairs of white
overcoats per year. This is in addition to the three sets of pants and shirts mentioned
above.
Ordinary black shoes:All employees are eligible for one pair of shoes and
one pair of socks per year.
Rain coats: One rain coat is provided every two years to employees in
Maintenance, Production, Technical Services, Project, Materials Management
Departments (who are required to work in the Plant and exposed to rain), field staff in
MandD (including car drivers and those who are working in Port offices), Mail room
staff and such employees who are recommended by the Group Heads.
Winter uniforms: One set of winter uniform (one pant and one coat or
overcoat) is provided once in three years to drivers, attendants, A.V. van
drivers/operators and operator-cum-drivers in all the regional offices approved by
CMD and Liaison Office in which locations the temperature goes below 15 degree
centigrade in a year. In addition, the above category of employees working in such
offices is given two woolen pullovers / sweaters once in three years.
Winter Kit Allowance: Employees who are required by the company to
visit places where the minimum temperature is 150c and below for at least 15 days in
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a year and who visit such places on official business when such temperature is likely
to prevail, are eligible for an advance towards the purchase of winter dress and kit. In
addition to these, every MFL employee is given two turkey towels, a pair of hand
gloves, reading glasses every year and an MFL monogrammed jerkin once in five
years.
d. Washing Allowance: Washing allowance is paid to all employees
supplied with uniforms under this policy.
e. Residential Telephone: Employees below grade E1 are not eligible for
residential telephones. Employees in grade E1 and above are entitled to a telephone at
their residence.
f. Safety Award:With a view to encourage employees to participate actively
in the companys safety programmes and to reward them in recognition of good safety
performance, a formal system of safety awards has been established. Two types of
safety awards have been instituted. They are:
g. Safety Shield Competition: The shield is awarded to the winner (the
plant/unit that achieves the target set for accident reduction) at the end of the half-year
by the General Manager (Plant) at an informal function in the plant. The names of thewinning areas shall be inscribed on the shield. Appropriate individual gifts are
awarded to the employees of the winning area. Names of winners are mentioned in
the Safety News Letter and MFL Mirror.
3. Safety Prizes:To keep up individual interest in the safety programmes, management on
the recommendation of the Management Safety Committee may announce suitable memento
to be given to all employees on completion of a certain period of accident-free operation at
MFL plant. All permanent/probationary employees of the Company, who are in employment
on the completion day of the set target for the award, are eligible for the gift.
Tokens, Visual and Auditory Rewards
Visual Aids:There are a lot of other visual representations displayed
all around the company, like boards displaying Hindi words to be learnt every
day, number of man-hours the company has run without any accidents and so
on.
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National and Festival Holidays: The National and Festival
Holidays Act governs the grant of holidays for such purposes. This policy
outlines the list of holidays as applicable to MFL.
b) Social Rewards
a) Medical Facilities:MFL places a premium on the health and well-being of
its employees. Having this in mind many medical schemes are in place. MFL has a
Medical Department. The Medical Department carries out periodical medical
examinations of employees. Those who are above 45 years of age undergo medical
examination once a year and those who below 45 years once in two years. This helps
early diagnosis of diseases if any, among the employees. Emergency and first aid care
is provided for on-duty-plant-site-employees 24 hours, 7 days a week. First aid boxes
are provided and proper training is given as to how to handle an emergency.
Ambulance service is available for on-duty-plant-site employees 24 hours, 7 days a
week. Employees are immunized against diseases like tetanus, cholera, typhoid, small
pox etc. Canteen employees undergo medical check-up once in six month or more
frequently, if necessary.
b) Safety Helmet:A safety helmet is provided to all personnel who need to
enter the plant area.
c) Motor Cycle Crash Helmet: Wearing helmet is mandatory for those
who ride cycles, scooters motor bikes. One crash helmet is provided once in three
years.
d) Safety Shoes:Two pairs of shoes per year are issued to employees such as
trade apprentices in Maintenance, Production, Technical Services, Project and Material
Management, Personnel and Administration Group, Senior Marketing / Senior Market
Development Officers, Assistant Marketing / Assistant Market Development Officers
in the field and Distribution Department, including the employees working in port
offices, who in the opinion of the respective Heads of the Department will be required
to wear shoes for the purpose of safety.
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e) Accident Benefit: The accident benefits available under the Group
Personal Accident Insurance Policy are in addition to all claims admissible under the
Group Aviation Personal Accident Insurance (GAPAI) Policy.
f) Health and Safety: Management takes all measures to maintain safety
aspects with respect to plant, design, layout, equipment machinery, material and
provide protective equipment. The Deputy General Managers are responsible for the
integration of health and safety measures in the day-to-day work in their respective
areas. They closely observe the safety performance and maintenance of safe working
conditions and review this work at appropriate intervals with a view to improve safety
performance.
c) Job Design Rewards
a) Training Facilities
1. To impart knowledge and develop skills of all categories of employees for
improved operational efficiency in their present assignment.
2.
To prepare them to shoulder greater responsibilities, so that they can be
promotable to higher levels.
b)Educational Assistance
In furtherance of the MFL objective to encourage personal initiative, innovation and
self-development among regular employees through continued education and training and
also assist them in securing good education for their children, the company reimburses a
portion of the amount paid to outside institutes, associations, companies, etc., in India
towards providing training / courses.
c) Opportunity to Learn New Languages
This is intended to encourage MFL personnel to acquire working knowledge of additional
regional languages. This is applicable to all employees in Grades E3 and below. The
employees can acquire proficiency in the following languages:
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1. Hindi 5. Oriya
2. Kannada 6. Punjabi
3. Malayalam 7. Tamil
4. Marathi 8. Telugu
d)Supervisory Promotion
The Policy objectives are:
a) To integrate the growth opportunities of the supervisors with the
fulfillment of the companys objectives.
b) To identify, train and develop competent personnel with the growth
potential and to provide a conducive environment for high levels of
performance.
c) To provide all supervisors with equality of opportunity in growth and
career prospects.
d)
To ensure continuity of management by systematic succession plans
for supervisory positions.
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PRODUCT PROFILE
Madras Fertilizers Limited, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
MFL was incorporated in Dec 1966 as a Public Sector Undertaking with authorised
share capital of Rs.14 crores in December 1966, with Government of India (GOI) and
AMOCO India Inc. (AMOCO - a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Oil Company of
USA) holding 51% and 49% of shares respectively.
MFL commenced commercial production in November 1971. Subsequently in 1972
as per the Formation Agreement, National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC - a multibillion State
owned Petro Chemical Company of Iran) was inducted as shareholder acquiring 50% of
AMOCO shareholding in MFL.
In 1985, AMOCO pursuant to their world wide strategy, disinvested their shares
which were in turn acquired by GOI and NIOC (Transferred to its affiliate Naftiran Intertrade
Company Ltd). The current shareholding pattern is as follows.
MFL is engaged in the manufacture of Ammonia, Urea, Complex Fertilizers and
Biofertilizers. MFL's activities include marketing of these fertilizers and trading in Agro
Chemicals in accordance with the corporate objective.
MFL has been striving to develop and maintain an Organisational environment, that
motivates the individual, encourages personal initiative, innovation and creativity.MFL has
its plant facilities and head quarters located on a sprawling 350 acres at Manali, about 20 km
north of Chennai city.
Products:
Manufacturers of Chemical Fertilizers: Urea, NPK - Complex (17:17:17), (14:28:14),
(19:19:19), (20:20:0:10), NK Mixture (20:0:10), MOP, DAP. Biofertilizers: Azospirillum
(Paddy), Azospirillum (Other crops), Azospirillum (Plantation Crops), Rhizobium(Groundnut), Rhizobium (Pulses), Phospho Bacteria (All Crops), NP Bio (All Crops). Agro
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Chemicals - Neem based: VIJAY Neem-300 ppm, VIJAY Neem-1500 ppm. Life and Non-
Life Insurance Products.
VIJAY Urea
VIJAY Urea with 46% Nitrogen is an economical Nitrogenous fertilizer suitable for
all crops and all soil types. It can be used separately as a top dressing fertilizer or in
combination with other fertilizers also. It is suitable for foliar application.
VIJAY complexes
VIJAY complexes are granulated fertilizers containing Nitrogen, Phosphorous and
Potash. As the nutrients are present in balanced proportion, they are ideal for application to
all the major crops. VIJAY 17:17:17, which was introduced in 1970, is our flagship product,
which enjoys high farmer preference, on account of its excellent performance leading to
bumper yields. It was the first balanced complex fertilizer to be introduced in Indian market,
with all the three nutrients available in equal proportion. The nitrogen in VIJAY 17:17:17 is
in Amide and Ammonical forms, making it ideally suited for early growth and vegetative
phases of all crops.
Bio-fertilizers
A healthy soil alone can utilize the applied chemical fertilizers efficiently and lead to
high yields. The health of the soil is maintained by various factors, the most important being
the soil microbial. Continuous cultivation results in population of microbial being depleted.
Inoculation of Bio-fertilizers in cultivated soil results in multiplication o