ORIGINAL ARTICLE Workplace Conditions and Employer Relationships as Predictors of Economic Well-Being: Female Domestic Workers in India Anjula Gurtoo Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India This article explores the intersectional role played by the various categories of workplace dynamics of female domestic workers in India. It models crucial aspects of a range of workplace conditions and employee-employer relationship and empowerment factors, as predictors of the economic well-being of domestic workers. The analysis is based on a ques- tionnaire survey of 487 domestic workers in two cities of the Indian state of Karnataka, conducted July–December 2014. The prediction models reveal intersectionality: female domestic workers are disadvantaged by inequalities caused by two unique aspects of their work, namely, the feminization of this work as naturalized labor that women do because of their innate caring characteristics, and the employer-employee relationship where the focus of work is the intimate private space of the employer. Empowerment factors, therefore, become additionally significant for their protection from exploitation and abuse. This paper highlights the conflicting role played by empowerment and concludes by discussing implications for legislation and policy. Keywords domestic worker; employer relationship; India; intersectionality; workplace arrangement doi:10.1111/aswp.12076 Introduction Domestic workers comprise a significant part of the global workforce in the informal economy. Currently there are approximately 53 million domestic workers worldwide, 83% of them women (International Labour Organization, 2013). This ratio is much higher in some regions, for instance, in Latin America, where one out of four women in paid employment is a domestic worker (International Labour Organiza- tion, 2013). The number of domestic workers has increased dramatically by almost 20 million in the last decade and is expected to increase further with rising demand for personal care services resulting from several lifestyle changes in urban households (European Commission, 2012). Domestic workers take on household work when women in wealthy households engage in activities – including paid employment – outside the home. This work is not only considered low status “women’s work” but also often entails long working hours and vulnerability to abuse and exploitation. Domestic work typically operates within two employment conditions: part-time and live-in. The working conditions of these employment scenarios are significantly different. Live-in domestic workers, by virtue of living in the household of the employer for many years, develop social and emotional ties with the employer, Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Anjula Gurtoo, Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India. Email: anjula@mgmt.iisc.ernet.in Acknowledgements: The author gratefully acknowledges data collection support provided by the members of the Stree Jagriti Samiti, and financial support from the Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai, India. © 2015 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd 61 Asian Social Work and Policy Review 10 (2016) 61–75