“From dressing and working hours to employee-employer relationship and pay packets, the workplace today is not what it was a decade ago. We try to keep pace of the changes”

1. Look what’s changing!
Figure 1 - AIR OF INFORMALITY: Cool is the new workplace code. File photo: P.V. Sivakumar
“From dressing and working hours to employee employer relationship and pay packets, the
From employee-employer
workplace today is not what it was a decade ago. We try to keep pace of the changes”
changes
Your work hours have doubled in the last decade. You have clients and bosses across
geographies / time-zones. There's more pressure, higher expectations. Lines between work and
zones.
leisure are unaffordable. Your work gizmos go with you on a holiday, Sunday is another work
re
day, your day off could be spent sending / receiving e-mails.
e
In return, you have flexible time, tele working, hot desking, cell production, crèches, ‘dress
tele-working, ‘dress-
down days' and ‘duvet days'. The workplace is ‘homely', your home has a work laptop.
duvet
Companies let you BYOD (bring your own device) to work. Packages such as ‘My Pay, My
Choice', ‘Flexi Menu', ‘Bouquet of Benefits' and ‘Flexi
‘Flexi-grade-allowance-system' let employees
system'
design their variable pay packets.
heir
So, what is a workplace today? Here are some views:
1|P age April 1, 2012

2. L.V. Satyanarayan
Management consultant
“Workplace has undergone a metamorphosis,” he says. It is employee-centric,
undergone employee
congenial for workers to concentrate, contribute, enjoy the work. What was
unique to IT sector is now percolating to others, driven by need. There are more
women in employment, employees are from diverse background. In place of
diverse
caste and culture, qualification and education determine groups. Type of work is
no barrier. “I-
-am-the-boss” attitude is almost gone, unionized environment is
fading. Boss-employee relationship is participatory, opportunities equal, and evaluation of
employee
performance, more scientific. “I would rate the changes as — for good.”
I appreciate: The demand, awareness and information about global working conditions have
influenced employers to have a proactive relationship with employees.
I miss: Passion for work. This should come naturally. One should be proud to be a part of the
organization, not build a prosaic relationship with employer / job.
,
V. Krishnan
GM, CSS Corp
He takes most changes to the doors of IT/ITES sector. “The Internet has heralded
the demise of distance. Employees who worked with a limited circle of
colleagues now report across continents, time-zones, ethnicities. This has
time zones,
opened up new avenues for career progression.” While white-collar workers in
white
traditional business places are required to appear in formals, the youth-
youth
dominated software sector permits them to wear jeans, t-shirt and sneakers on
t shirt
Fridays. Sexual harassment is recognised as a serious issue, and managements
are taking proactive steps such as compensation for the victim and termination of the
ve
delinquent employee.
I appreciate: The informality in the IT / ITES space. Boss and subordinates are on first
first-name
basis, without dilution in authority or hierarchy.
I miss: Working hours were restricted to office time. Once out, workers had time for personal
interests. Now, no one switches off mobile devices even for an hour to spend time with family.
2|P age April 1, 2012

3. Rajini Reddy
MD, Exemplarr Worldwide
There's a major change in the composition of the workforce, she says. Her firm
employs people from different States and countries (Brazil/Spain/Australia/New
Zealand), Americans of Indian origin and expats. They “adapt to Indian time and
of
work patterns” after initial assistance “to settle down, understand the work
culture”.
Relationships? Young managers don't hesitate to disagree or offer frank opinions irrespective of
consequences. If employees feel free to voice issues such as pay raise, flexi
. flexi-timings and five-day
weeks, employers encourage them to interact with them directly, bypassing hierarchy. In ITES
workplaces specially, the gap between what's personal and what could be made public is
decreasing. Many personal issues are discussed, personal / religious events are celebrated. The
role of HR has taken a new dimension, the importance is for “fun element” (competitions,
games, outdoor activities) at the workplace. “We have yoga sessions, aerobics classes —
sessions,
employees felt they didn't find the time to exercise,” she says. Sometimes informality is taken
too far, that companies have to lay down a strict dress code.
I appreciate: The ‘bonding' or harmonisation happening at all levels. Managed well, it will
create a culture that is open, innovative and transparent.
I miss: Employees focussed on responsibility and work ethics. We need a monitoring
mechanism at every level to ensure right output from employees.
Usha Srinivasan
HR consultant
“Transform the workplace to reflect changing realities,” she says. Work has
become all-consuming — men and women labour longer, take on more
consuming
responsibility, earn extravagantly — and their numbers are growing. Bosses
know they have to win trust and respect, motivate, strike a balance between
delegation and control, be open to ‘ideas' and ‘opinions'. Rigidity and control
‘ideas'
don't appeal to knowledge workers.
I appreciate: The workplace is no longer designed for men. Corporations want to ‘pick winners',
retain talent. Gender plays no part here.
I miss: Men and women revel in work — this definitely needs increased support systems.
Andrew McAfee, author of “Enterprise 2.0” doesn't buy it all. “We hear how different Gen Y
are… how companies need to change to accommodate these messengers from the future. But
3|P age April 1, 2012

4. we still have office politics, careerism, coalitions… rivalries, and all other elements of a dense,
hierarchical social system. Yes, “Millennials” have different technology habits and preferences…
But that's about the biggest difference I see. I think today's workplaces will change Generation
Y more than the reverse.”
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