The Hindu Business Line : What to do when work stops working for you?

STORY so far: On a day when I would rather like to laze at home, Chandru throws a bombshell by saying he wanted to resign. I reason with him, argue and admonish him, but am clueless as to why he wanted to resign.

Episode 66

Last week, I left you all at the figurative window, from where Chandru was all set to make a blind leap. Resignation letters are some of the easiest to write, but before the snapping happened, it is important to know why it became necessary. In response to the open question, "What could be the reason for Chandru's drastic decision?" there have been many e-mails from readers. Here are a few:

Kundan from Delhi suspects that Chandru has gone crazy: "Eccentric. He needs professional counselling."

Anaga from Vizag thinks Chandru is not telling me the truth: "Swati, he must have got a better job with a rival company. And he does not want to reveal that to you."

Narayanan of Chennai strongly believes that it must be some family problem driving Chandru to such an extreme step: "Either that, or he must be suffering from some health problem, such as stomach ache."

Raja and Vasanta have given a romantic twist to the story: "Chandru fell in love with Swati. Being a married man with a family, he could not do anything about it. He decided that if he left the job, he would not have to see her daily, a daily torture for him. So he decided to resign the job."

While that looks quite flattering, Ankan Ghosh of Kolkata has a different theory: "I think Chandru has overworked himself and has got bored with all the ratios, profits, accounts and statements. His work probably has stopped working for him, that is to say he is not being challenged by his work. He needs a break from his present mundane work. And when he rejoins he should be promoted or at the least given a different work profile."

*********

As things turned out, on the day when Chandru and I had all that intense argument, boss was not in office and so there was no way Chandru could submit his resignation letter.

"I'll leave it on boss's table," said Chandru, as if he wanted to get rid of the hot potato. I scowled at him and said, "That doesn't look proper. Keep it with you and give it to him in person. Otherwise, it would be disrespectful." I had not thought about all these things, but my intention was simple: that I should delay his decision, if I am not successful in reversing it. "Why not I send him an e-mail," said Chandru enthusiastically. "I know he would check his inbox wherever he is."

I retorted, "Just listen to me. He could be busy with some work, and you would be disturbing him with your abrupt message. So, don't." This sounded reasonable to him, so he kept the letter safely in his draw. "We'll go out for lunch," I proposed. "Call me at 1."

*********

Soulful music played from his car stereo when we were proceeding to Nilgiri's Nest for the executive lunch. Fortunately, the drive lasted only ten minutes; else, the mood created by the cassette could have made me write my own resignation letter!

I would have loved to play some pop or rock to lighten the temper, but when you are with somebody who is at his wit's end, you need to tread carefully. At lunch, I asked him about his wife. "How is Geeta?"

I remembered how she had wept when I met her more than a year ago, anxious that her husbands got out of the Bank Artha mess at the earliest. "She is fine," said Chandru. "Geeta is getting bored," he added. "There's so much work at home."

I asked if he was still in Triplicane's Janus Street. "Yes," he said. "Water problem is getting severe by the day. Lorry comes at 4 a.m. and she has to fill up all the buckets and pots." I pointed a fork at him as if to ask whether he did not help her in that mission. "Not me," he said. "I wake up only at 7." We laughed, and the topic of resignation was nowhere around.

Then, our discussion veered to his kids. "Their exams would be starting soon. And I don't spend time with them." This made him feel guilty, perhaps, because I could see all those worry lines crowding his face. That was not because the bill had arrived at the table.

While returning to office, apart from weather and traffic, the only significant interaction was Chandru saying, "Why don't you come home, Swati? Geeta has been asking me so many times about you." I said, "Thanks, Chandru. Today is Thursday, I am coming that side to visit the Raghavendra temple. If possible, I'll drop in at your place."

*********

It is not too easy to pray when the mind is weighed down by other thoughts, but pray I did, for peace and clear thinking.

At Chandru's place, it was real jolly time, with his kids so eager to tell me their school stories and marks. "Take them on an outing, Chandru," I said. "A bit of winding down helps before the exams."

And immediately, the children latched on to the suggestion, and I was happy to have set the ball rolling. The only thing that I didn't bargain for was the kids' insisting that I accompany them.

*********

So, that weekend, it happened that we were all driving down the Bangalore highway to a big park named "Wonderland" which was no amusement park but simply full of trees. There was a mini train to chug along, and as a picnic spot it was ideal.

Chandru's daughter helped her mom to keep supplying us with a variety of eats, and Chandru himself was busy playing the role of goalkeeper as his son kept shooting from short range. I pinched myself to remember that it was only days ago this fellow was almost breaking down.

So, I think Ankan Ghosh is right. Chandru had overworked himself and got bored with all that financial stuff which forms the bread and butter of accountants. His work had in fact stopped working for him.

As Ghosh put it, he was not being challenged by his work. He needed a break from his present mundane work. But tomorrow is Monday, and will Chandru bring up his letter once again, I asked myself.

*********

Do you think business executives and managers can perform better at work and at the same time suffer less mental stress by spending time with their family picnicking at least once in a few months?

E-mail your thoughts before Friday.

(To be continued)

Swati_CA@hotmail.com

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