Work Culture in India
With the recent EY episode, I thought I'll pen down some thoughts, having gone through something similar last year.
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It's ok to blame the companies, but I feel nothing will change fundamentally. We are mostly a service based nation and given our population, we go through so much competition that survival becomes our key goal. It's easy to make sweeping statements like one should not take shit and just quit, but it's easier said than done.
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I personally do not have a moon shot idea to change things, but I sincerely request the community to look after your near and dear ones. I was lucky to have my close ones and parents who actually forced me to change my habits and also take a break at the right time(I was working 14 hours non stop for 6 months, without any acknowledgement/appreciation, I was mostly depressed, started smoking 10-15 cigarettes/day and drank alcohol alone 4 times a week). An individual sometimes doesn't realise how he or she is hurting their physical or mental well being, it is others who could notice better and force you to do something to improve your life. Instead of always giving advice, hear the person out and try to pull out the inner feelings. I
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To all individuals who are facing a burn out or a career low in general, talk to close ones and just manage to do some exercise please(lifting weights is amazing), I guarantee, you'll feel 50% better.
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After working in multiple companies, I've realised it's impossible to get the ideal life/wl balance, you can draw lines but again easier said than done. You need to manage the stress somehow, exercise has been the only effective solution right now (a basic walk can also do wonders), but I'm happy to know from others if anything else has helped (apart from hobbies, talking to your close ones etc.)
I wish some labour laws could be brought in and implemented soon, but again, at the cost of being pessimistic I don't see that happening. Cheers and have a great weekend everyone!
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The mentality and attitude of Indian managers is the reason such things keep happening.what is missing in them is empathy.empathy for their colleagues and sub ordinates.they promote slave culture.make their sub ordinates work like slaves which will help them get more bonus and hike because managers are incompetent to earn that on their own.people management is no more a skill.when you see a incompetent manager start questioning them early with the whys and hows. It's not an easy game .bootlicking and buttering is promoted in india.
The only solution I can think off is, keep shifting jobs untill you find a decent work environment. Once you land there, don't change, even if there is no promotion, or bad hike, or even if it is a dead end job.
I wonder where those managers come from, ig from within the community itself? you and i are future managers. The problem is, Indians in general are too insecure even if they are super intelligent, the urge to control everything, even the people around you and thinking all you achieved was because of your talent while most of it was just sheer luck. humble yourself a little, treat people as humans that they are, talk to them, connect on a personal level and most of the issues will get solved automagically.
Is it time to unionise? I see that the Indian middle class is worked like a beast of the burden in this country. They also pay the taxes on behalf of the whole country. Is no one ready to take initiative and form a union?
What I have learned from my experience is Indian seniors put pressure on their subordinates just to impress their boss even if their is no urgency. Their is always fake sense of urgency. Boot licking Culture.
Yes I agree- 'it's easier said than done'. The culture of saying "No" doesn't exist in India. The mindset is so deeply rooted now that it has become difficult to change people's perception.
The art of saying "No" only comes with experience. You said it absolutely right, that we need to talk about it to our close ones.
I always talked to my mom and one of my seniors who helped me in tough situations and taught me how to say NO.
And yeah, walking really does help relieve some stress from your mind.
I say the same thing, after work, only think about yourself. Do what you like, whatever releases stress. DO NOT work after the working hours are over. Spend time with your family or friends, the most important thing. Watch TV/your favourite show(s). Just keep the laptop aside.
Overworking should never be glorified.
We need to set boundaries which happen gradually as we learn how important our health is. 🙂
Well said. People need to manage their stress well and I do agree a simple evening or morning walk can work wonders. The constant FOMO and rat race also adds additional stress. Folks flexing their salaries is the worst but hell yeah validations is what everyone desires.
Govt will introduce only those laws (tax) that will NOT benefit people. So, labour laws ? Is a dream n a joke in our country
We have so many existing law, but on the other side look at their execution where you have to wait for 10-30 years for verdict. Imagine company didn't give experience letter and the case for it going on for 10 years without any verdict passed. Judiciary in India right now is very pathetic state.
From workaholic with zero appreciation to drawing boundaries all alone, saying NO, ain't easy, but, yeah! Takes time to stay afloat.
The buck should stop at us. Ultimately, it is a joint responsibility of all of us who are in the position of a manager/ high-level executives or junior level to look after ourselves and our teams. As they say your are replaceable at work but not at home. Be kind to other as you don't know their story and what people go thru outside of the bubble we call work.
It's your own greed, if everyone says no what managers can do? Will they fire the whole team, the whole country? To stand out people do extra hours and it becomes a culture. First learn to live with dignity and do not preach that we are helpless because of our greed for money.