Look whats 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, crches, dress tele-working, dressdown 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:

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April 1, 2012

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 youthyouth 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.

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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
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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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April 1, 2012