The Hindu Business Line : Reining in the beast of expectation

Once again the room was silent. Sheetal fiddled with the paper weight and marvelled at its colours. Wonder how they make these, she thought to herself.

Kumar pulled a chair over and sat down. It was worth protesting, this can’t go on for ever. It’s the route to disaster, he thought to himself.

As he watched Sheetal, he smiled. “It’s never easy with these slick HR types,” he mumbled to himself.

“What ?” said Sheetal.

“No, nothing,” said Kumar quickly.

“Just wondering when you intend putting the paper weight down,” said Kumar.

“Oh that,” said Sheetal, “How do they make these?”

“Yes, it’s interesting. I saw them being made once at a glass exhibition.”

“Got to be quick and very deft with your hands, ambidextrous you know…Multi-tasking at its best.”

How quickly people lose track, thought Boss. Next, they will discuss their holidays for sure.

“I thought we are discussing a pay rise,” said Boss.

“Yes, we are waiting,” said Sheetal.

“Can’t you come up with something?” quipped Boss. “You can come up with good ideas you know, instead of just waiting and discussing the manufacture of paper weights.”

“I’m sorry,” said Sheetal, “it is just that when you deal with this sort of thing day in and day out one feels a little jaded.”

“Hmm… I understand.”

A pause ensued.

Kumar felt he should leave.

“I think I’ll just attend to some work,” said Kumar.

“No, stay on Kumar,” said Boss.

“I’ve to clear some invoices,” said Kumar.

“That can wait,” said Boss firmly. “Those are expenses after all!”

That’s easy for you to say, thought Kumar. The purchase department will make my life miserable, Kumar mused, his brow furrowed with tension.

“I think we are just feeding. the BEAST,” said Boss very slowly. “Yes, we are just feeding the BEAST. That, really, is the problem.”

“What beast?” said Kumar confused. “Oh, I see.. yes.. you mean your wife,” said Kumar.

Sheetal burst out laughing.

“Not wife…, the BEAST of expectation… Where will it end?” said Boss a trifle annoyed.

“Sheetal, why do you think a pay rise should sort the problem?” queried Boss.

“Everyone in the market is doing the same,” retorted Sheetal.

“Precisely,” said Boss.

“We should be different and try and break this spiral,” said Boss.

Sheetal winced, her face said it all. “This isn’t going to work.”

“I know it’s not easy,” said Boss comfortingly. “There is a slower game of life after all.”

“Organisational practices make a difference in the long run. Ultimately, that’s what you are known for, not just the pay packet,” said Boss.

“When we joined the company we were so diffident about salaries,” said Kumar with an air of nostalgia. “There are no values left.”

“That’s history anyway,” Sheetal interrupted.

“Values can never be history,” retorted Kumar.

“I think you need to apply your self Sheetal,” said Boss soothingly, trying to calm things down.

“Sheetal, why not conduct a survey and find out what is eating the minds of the youngsters,” said Kumar.

“I was just going to suggest the same,” said Boss emphatically. “Let’s just not go by hearsay and fall into the trap of the same six-monthly hike patterns which has become the norm.” said Boss.

“If that’s what you want,” Sheetal quipped with an air of resignation. “Fine. I still feel the survey will not throw up any new…”

“Don’t worry, I will not hold you responsible if I lose my chap… What is it that they call him… Oh yes, Samy…” said Boss.

“Counsel him,” said Boss to Sheetal, “I would also like to meet his manager.”

“I was going to suggest that myself,” Sheetal said.

Whatever happened to names nowadays, youngsters are so reluctant to approve of their “Indianness,” Boss thought to himself… Swaminathan was now Samy!

“Get on the phone now,” ordered Boss.

Sheetal dialled his extension, while Kumar got up to leave. Kumar glanced at Boss, who nodded in assent.

“He’s coming in a few minutes” said Sheetal.

(To be continued.)

(The writer is Director, e2e Business Solutions.)

(This is the second of a four-part series on organisational HR issues. The first of this series appeared on October 15.)

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