Narayana Murthy's views on staying late in the office
It's half past 8 in the office, but the lights are still on...
PCs still running, coffee machines still buzzing...
and who's at work? Most of them??? Take a closer look...
All or most specimens are ??-something male species of the human race... Look closer... again all or most of them are bachelors...
and why are they sitting late? Working hard? No way!!!
Any guesses???
Let's ask one of them...
Here's what he says.... "What's there 2 do after going home...
here we get to surf, AC, phone, food, coffee..
that is why I am working late...
importantly no bossssssss!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the scene in most research centers and software companies and other off-shore offices. Bachelors "time-passing" during late hours in the office just bcoz they say they've nothing else to do...
Now what r the consequences... read on...
"Working"(for the record only) late hours soon becomes part of the institute or company culture. With bosses more than eager to provide support to those "working" late in the form of taxi vouchers, food vouchers and of course good feedback,(oh, he's a hard worker... goes home only to change..!!).
They aren't helping things too... To hell with bosses who don't understand the difference between "sitting" late and "working" late!!! Very soon, the boss start expecting all employees to put in extra working hours.
So, My dear Bachelors let me tell you, life changes when u get married and start having a family... office is no longer a priority, family is... and that's when the problem starts... becoz u start having commitments at home too. For your boss, the earlier "hardworking" guy suddenly seems to become a "early leaver" even if u leave an hour after regular time... after doing the same amount of work.
People leaving on time after doing their tasks for the day are labeled as work-shirkers... Girls who thankfully always (its changing nowadays... though) leave on time are labeled as "not up to it". All the while, the bachelors pat their own backs and carry on "working" not realizing that they r spoiling the work culture at their own place and never realize that they would have to regret at one point of time.
* So what's the moral of the story?? *
* Very clear, LEAVE ON TIME!!!
* Never put in extra time " *unless really needed *"
* Don't stay back un-necessarily and spoil your company work culture which will in turn cause inconvenience to you and your colleagues.
There are hundred other things to do in the evening..
Learn music...
Learn a foreign language...
try a sport... TT, cricket.........
importantly Get a girl friend or gal friend, take him/her around town... And for heaven's sake net cafe rates have dropped to an all-time low (plus, no fire-walls) and try cooking for a change.
Take a tip from the Smirnoff ad: *"Life's calling, where are you??"*
Please pass on this message to all those colleagues And please do it before leaving time, don't stay back till midnight to forward this!!!
ITS A TYPICAL INDIAN MENTALITY THAT WORKING FOR LONG HOURS MEANS VERY HARD WORKING & 100% COMMITMENT ETC. PEOPLE WHO REGULARLY SIT LATE IN THE OFFICE DONT KNOW TO MANAGE THEIR TIME. SIMPLE !!!
...
Rashi
From India, Ahmadabad
It's half past 8 in the office, but the lights are still on...
PCs still running, coffee machines still buzzing...
and who's at work? Most of them??? Take a closer look...
All or most specimens are ??-something male species of the human race... Look closer... again all or most of them are bachelors...
and why are they sitting late? Working hard? No way!!!
Any guesses???
Let's ask one of them...
Here's what he says.... "What's there 2 do after going home...
here we get to surf, AC, phone, food, coffee..
that is why I am working late...
importantly no bossssssss!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the scene in most research centers and software companies and other off-shore offices. Bachelors "time-passing" during late hours in the office just bcoz they say they've nothing else to do...
Now what r the consequences... read on...
"Working"(for the record only) late hours soon becomes part of the institute or company culture. With bosses more than eager to provide support to those "working" late in the form of taxi vouchers, food vouchers and of course good feedback,(oh, he's a hard worker... goes home only to change..!!).
They aren't helping things too... To hell with bosses who don't understand the difference between "sitting" late and "working" late!!! Very soon, the boss start expecting all employees to put in extra working hours.
So, My dear Bachelors let me tell you, life changes when u get married and start having a family... office is no longer a priority, family is... and that's when the problem starts... becoz u start having commitments at home too. For your boss, the earlier "hardworking" guy suddenly seems to become a "early leaver" even if u leave an hour after regular time... after doing the same amount of work.
People leaving on time after doing their tasks for the day are labeled as work-shirkers... Girls who thankfully always (its changing nowadays... though) leave on time are labeled as "not up to it". All the while, the bachelors pat their own backs and carry on "working" not realizing that they r spoiling the work culture at their own place and never realize that they would have to regret at one point of time.
* So what's the moral of the story?? *
* Very clear, LEAVE ON TIME!!!
* Never put in extra time " *unless really needed *"
* Don't stay back un-necessarily and spoil your company work culture which will in turn cause inconvenience to you and your colleagues.
There are hundred other things to do in the evening..
Learn music...
Learn a foreign language...
try a sport... TT, cricket.........
importantly Get a girl friend or gal friend, take him/her around town... And for heaven's sake net cafe rates have dropped to an all-time low (plus, no fire-walls) and try cooking for a change.
Take a tip from the Smirnoff ad: *"Life's calling, where are you??"*
Please pass on this message to all those colleagues And please do it before leaving time, don't stay back till midnight to forward this!!!
ITS A TYPICAL INDIAN MENTALITY THAT WORKING FOR LONG HOURS MEANS VERY HARD WORKING & 100% COMMITMENT ETC. PEOPLE WHO REGULARLY SIT LATE IN THE OFFICE DONT KNOW TO MANAGE THEIR TIME. SIMPLE !!!
...
Rashi
From India, Ahmadabad
hey that is nice:) Every one should build up some extra curricular activities so that it refreshes the mind and paves way for new innovative ideas to crop up.. Regards, Roopa.
From India, Bangalore
2From India, Bangalore
Hi Rashi ! Good and valuable quote. Can u pl also cite where this article had appeared ? regards shilpa
From India
From India
Dear Roy Rashi,
It was nice to read b'coz I too have worked in an IT Co. and experienced the same thing. After giving in my observation with supporting calculations on cost saving on infrastructure during the late hours to the top management and seeking approval, put in hard across the company that no more late sittings allowed.
Employees were asked to put off their lights ,leave the work place and submit the keys (where applicable) within 15-20 minutes after the closing hours for the day. HR and security personnel took a round across the Co. for looking for any lights on and anybody staying behind.
If work demanded an employee to really stay behind then he had to specify in writing:
1. the day's target set at the start of the day with his/her team leader.
2. what could not be accomplished out of the target and why?
3. allowed to stay back only on getting an advance sanction from atleast one top management personnel with the time limit of over stay.
Beleive me it really worked. Initially it seemed as if the HR people were really on a chase but after some time it became the culture of leaving office in time.
Not necessarily in IT industry but this practice also prevails in other industries.
Thanx for the same being spelled out by Mr. Narayan Murthy.
Parwez
From India, Delhi
It was nice to read b'coz I too have worked in an IT Co. and experienced the same thing. After giving in my observation with supporting calculations on cost saving on infrastructure during the late hours to the top management and seeking approval, put in hard across the company that no more late sittings allowed.
Employees were asked to put off their lights ,leave the work place and submit the keys (where applicable) within 15-20 minutes after the closing hours for the day. HR and security personnel took a round across the Co. for looking for any lights on and anybody staying behind.
If work demanded an employee to really stay behind then he had to specify in writing:
1. the day's target set at the start of the day with his/her team leader.
2. what could not be accomplished out of the target and why?
3. allowed to stay back only on getting an advance sanction from atleast one top management personnel with the time limit of over stay.
Beleive me it really worked. Initially it seemed as if the HR people were really on a chase but after some time it became the culture of leaving office in time.
Not necessarily in IT industry but this practice also prevails in other industries.
Thanx for the same being spelled out by Mr. Narayan Murthy.
Parwez
From India, Delhi
Hi,
I too agree about your special message that is a lesson to sombody in private office. And the Boss also will realize.
Thanks and good news too for our CITEHR.
Regards
Navamani.
HR
Gateway Distriparks (South) Pvt. Ltd.,
Chennai.
From India, Madras
I too agree about your special message that is a lesson to sombody in private office. And the Boss also will realize.
Thanks and good news too for our CITEHR.
Regards
Navamani.
HR
Gateway Distriparks (South) Pvt. Ltd.,
Chennai.
From India, Madras
Hi Rashi,
These are my views also, because in my Company people are working late hours just to complete their time period of the day.They use to come late in the morning and stay late hours to compensate the time but no productive work goes on in the office, just a time pass.
I cant stop this as Boss also used to stay late hours. Some employees have objection for this.
Regards
Fauzia
AISPL
These are my views also, because in my Company people are working late hours just to complete their time period of the day.They use to come late in the morning and stay late hours to compensate the time but no productive work goes on in the office, just a time pass.
I cant stop this as Boss also used to stay late hours. Some employees have objection for this.
Regards
Fauzia
AISPL
Dear All,
If all that is mentioned is true, then Theory X of Mcgregor seems to be ruling the roost.
But actually it is not so.
It is true that some of them may be staying late because they have nothing better to do.
There are all kinds of people.
My experience with creativity/contribution is that after goofing off for many hours but continuing to remain in the same environment, there comes a bright light of inspiration which possibly justifies idling.
You see he remains in the "mode" albeit hibernating, so to say. That is when he is rejuvinating for a more productive burst of activity.
Actually, people who have nothing better to do (chasing girls, fast-food etc.) belong to a different genre. They may be different but they have their own definition of a life of contribution. That is if they are acting out of their own deliberate conscious choice. If they are doing this out of some sort of compulsion because they have nothing better to do, then it is the task of HR to get ready for action.
Otherwise, such people who may appear to be sucking the blood out of the Company resources and "changing the work culture" are the real contributors. The companies are not blind. They know the incremental value of performance which comes in sudden bursts. But, at this point it becomes aspirational
Such things are written/publicised by the company only to discourage idling for nothing. So, it all depends on one's intention who chooses to stay back late. This will depend whether the person has an attitude issue or a "value" issue to resolve. When "attitude" and "value system" are in place, this becomes a "NON-ISSUE".
Regards
Sunil Chandra
From India, Gurgaon
If all that is mentioned is true, then Theory X of Mcgregor seems to be ruling the roost.
But actually it is not so.
It is true that some of them may be staying late because they have nothing better to do.
There are all kinds of people.
My experience with creativity/contribution is that after goofing off for many hours but continuing to remain in the same environment, there comes a bright light of inspiration which possibly justifies idling.
You see he remains in the "mode" albeit hibernating, so to say. That is when he is rejuvinating for a more productive burst of activity.
Actually, people who have nothing better to do (chasing girls, fast-food etc.) belong to a different genre. They may be different but they have their own definition of a life of contribution. That is if they are acting out of their own deliberate conscious choice. If they are doing this out of some sort of compulsion because they have nothing better to do, then it is the task of HR to get ready for action.
Otherwise, such people who may appear to be sucking the blood out of the Company resources and "changing the work culture" are the real contributors. The companies are not blind. They know the incremental value of performance which comes in sudden bursts. But, at this point it becomes aspirational
Such things are written/publicised by the company only to discourage idling for nothing. So, it all depends on one's intention who chooses to stay back late. This will depend whether the person has an attitude issue or a "value" issue to resolve. When "attitude" and "value system" are in place, this becomes a "NON-ISSUE".
Regards
Sunil Chandra
From India, Gurgaon
It is fairly true that in many Indian companies, the staff stay beyond the prescribed timings, and feel jealous of people leaving at the stroke of ending time of the working hours.
The following can be some reasons:
1. Boss has not left, should we leave.
2. Overstayal beyond office hours may speak about hard work.
3. Misleading others with show of overstayal implying hard work.
4. Spending the earlier part of the day in gossips and working late.
5. Statements/Postings of the day were not complete. In fact, they would have been completed, if time is properly managed.
6. Total lack of time management.
Subba Rao Bhagavatula.
From India, Hyderabad
The following can be some reasons:
1. Boss has not left, should we leave.
2. Overstayal beyond office hours may speak about hard work.
3. Misleading others with show of overstayal implying hard work.
4. Spending the earlier part of the day in gossips and working late.
5. Statements/Postings of the day were not complete. In fact, they would have been completed, if time is properly managed.
6. Total lack of time management.
Subba Rao Bhagavatula.
From India, Hyderabad
Hey Rashi,
I would like to add something to it. People who sit late night at office, even if they work, are those who mentaly get started with the work late in the morning. They are basicaly night wakers, who feel more satisfied working in the darker hours. This is true more with guys than with gals.
Whats your opinion?
Satyabrata Tripathy
From India, New Delhi
I would like to add something to it. People who sit late night at office, even if they work, are those who mentaly get started with the work late in the morning. They are basicaly night wakers, who feel more satisfied working in the darker hours. This is true more with guys than with gals.
Whats your opinion?
Satyabrata Tripathy
From India, New Delhi
Rashi,
These words are hundred person true for the life, but it is also a fact that sychophants always use this tool to impress the bosses or directors. And our unfortunately our so called Indian Top Bosses even though they are from good families, good institutes use this tool as a ladder to rise in future.
But one thing is very clear that if you confident of doing things in time, then there is not a single reason to sit after office hours. Work only when it is required, otherwise please give the time to himself also or if not to himself, at least to the family. Change the sedentary life style which has changed the so called professional world.
Do your work. Respect others and see you will always feel easy at your work. Others may see you as a different, but this difference will never let you down as others .
With Regards,
Om Prakash
From India, Vadodara
These words are hundred person true for the life, but it is also a fact that sychophants always use this tool to impress the bosses or directors. And our unfortunately our so called Indian Top Bosses even though they are from good families, good institutes use this tool as a ladder to rise in future.
But one thing is very clear that if you confident of doing things in time, then there is not a single reason to sit after office hours. Work only when it is required, otherwise please give the time to himself also or if not to himself, at least to the family. Change the sedentary life style which has changed the so called professional world.
Do your work. Respect others and see you will always feel easy at your work. Others may see you as a different, but this difference will never let you down as others .
With Regards,
Om Prakash
From India, Vadodara
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