The Hindu Business Line : Source of all catastrophe

Though Ishwar Swaran Mohanty, head of his firm's human resources department, should flap his lips open and shut faster than fish gulping surface water for air, he is taciturn.

One of the two places where people can find him part his lips is the canteen — to push tiny balls of food in or to chat with his "all entries barred" circle of friends. The other is rare — when he explains something to an employee in the sound proof confines of his room.

So curiosity spurs many to watch Mohanty and his friends chatting and eating, but never chatting while eating.

More than petty pilferage, padded reimbursement claims, and straight dodging of work, Mohanty has been disturbed by the trend in medicare provided to employees and their families. There has been, he noted with alarm, a marked increase in vascular diseases, cardiac ailments and cancer.

(In the canteen. Other employees watch the five and try to listen to their conversation.)

Vir: Mediclaim hitting the roof?

Mohanty: Yep. Rs 19.75 lakh last year, Rs 16.33 lakh before, and Rs 9.28 lakh two years ago.

Krishna: Padding?

Mohanty: Not all. Inflation partly explains.

Fazal: Percentage of false claims?

Mohanty: Three.

David: JHC!! Nearly 60 grand last year!

Mohanty: Unavoidable.

Krishna: Tighten the screws?

Mohanty: Limit reached.

Fazal: Direct payments to doctors, pharmacies?

Mohanty: Administrative nightmare. The present system is second best.

Vir: Reviewed my demand for hands and refresher for my staff?

Mohanty: Yep. The Board approved.

David: Black coffee anyone? (All say yes)

Mohanty: David, sure about shifting your supervisor?

David: Ya. Best for team morale.

Mohanty: Done.

Vir: Coffee at five?

Krishna: 4-56.

Vir, Fazal, David, Mohanty: Done.

(Later in Mohanty's office.)

Kirtivasan: Sir, I have read the observations made. How do the physician's observations affect the policy decision not to transfer me abroad?

Mohanty: Mr Kirti, the mouth holds the key.

Kritivasan: My mouth, sir? I am afraid I don't understand, sir.

Mohanty: Mouth to speak, eat, smoke and drink. What we ingest modulates our health; what we speak influences our status in an establishment.

Kirtivasan: Ok, agreed that the mouth is an orifice for all survival-related actions you mentioned. So what, sir? How am I doing wrong? (pauses) Unless you help me, I don't think I can focus on areas that could cause or have caused avoidable errors.

Mohanty: How long here?

Kirtivasan: Sir, 16 years - three in Delhi, two in Mumbai, and to date here at the head office.

Mohanty: This your first time with me?

Kirtivasan: I am afraid so, sir.

Mohanty: (touches the huge service record file) The slate is full, Mr Kirti.

(Kirtivasan is crestfallen. He is unable to discover a way out, so he stands staring at the floor.)

Mohanty: If you were abroad, the firm's image would rest in your hands (flips through the encyclopaedic file). You have not been diplomatic. Bulldozing others to prove the supremacy of your views, and being intolerant with your team members.

It is observed that your work quality is excellent and the overall contribution by your team has systematically been given the Gold Standard. But it is also observed that you execute the entire work yourself when your team members do not reach the standard you expect. And your health? In bad shape, given the LDL status of your blood.

You prefer eating items that you should avoid. Temptation would be more abroad. Given your track record despite your shortcomings, I agree with the Board not to push you into a situation that could risk your life. You are valuable to us, Mr Kirti.

Kirtivasan: Thank you sir, but don't you think that is unfair? I was never told anything so far. Had I some feedback, I could have given my best.

Mohanty: Mr Kirti, you are not a primary school student who needs to be disciplined with a cane or made to stand up on a bench. Your discipline should be self-imposed.

Kirtivasan: Why doesn't the Board reconsider its decision, sir? I will do my best to meet the company's expectations.

Mohanty: Mr Kirti, as I hinted earlier we never brandish a whip to set people right. The rewards and punishments are there. You have been rewarded handsomely every year for the quality of your work and your commitment to the profession. But a foreign posting is different. The firm cannot take a risk even when there is a faint chance of mistake. I am sure the board will review your case in another five to six years. You can rewrite your records beginning today.

Kirtivasan: I am disappointed, sir. Extremely disappointed. I have given my best to the firm with the hope that one day I will be posted abroad for five years. There have been instances of people being posted abroad only a year after appointment.

Mohanty: You are right. It seems to me now that you worked to impress us, if what you said now is true. We interpreted your input as a wholesome attitude. But you have been driven primarily by your aim.

Kirtivasan: Is it wrong to driven by an aim? Didn't Arjun aim at the eye of the bird? A goal is what motivates a person. After all, a human being is not piece of machinery that can be switched on or off at will.

Mohanty: Our firm works differently, and you know that well. I do not have to repeat our firm's maxims. Anyway, I hope you continue to give us your best for the remaining 22 years of your service. The present refusal would not I hope affect your excellent productivity and high standards.

Kirtivasan: If I may ask, sir. Whom is the firm deputing abroad?

Mohanty: (looks at Kirtivasan for a long time and then speaks) Sudhir Menon.

Kirtivasan: Sudhir Menon? (almost slaps his forehead, but stops at the last second)

Mohanty: Your reaction proves that the board did not err in deciding not to send you abroad, Mr Kirti. (smiles) Best wishes!

Kirtivasan: Sir, I have decided that ...

Racy@TheHindu.co.in

http://RacyCases.blogspot.com