A couple of months back (somewhere around Nov-Dec-2019), I
received a call for a job opportunity. While I went on to explain the kind of
profile I was looking for, and my preferences as a candidate, I was snapped at
saying” you will never get a job in a Corporate, especially if you want to work
remote”. The person went on to say “if I had to receive a profile like yours, I
would have trashed it in the bin and not looked at it in the first place. As
someone, wanting to work remotely and willing to telecommute to the office on need
basis is not happening and no one would want to hire.” While I was trying to
put my point across, saying” I understand what you are saying, but this is what
I am looking at”, the hiring person went on and asked me to look at an alternative
and shovel my aspirations of a remote-regular job.
I was baffled for by this conversation. Moreover, being a
part of the HR fraternity for more than 15+ years, this entire episode made me
think on various grounds and made no sense in the technological era. HR is
often projected as the face of the Company & change-makers. HR brings reforms
in an organization and brings in the employer-employee balance. We have to look
at ways and means of having things work rather than turning away a talent because
of a situation. Press for accommodative policies, procedures, and create an
organized environment to accommodate one and all.
Why do we have such fixed ideas and thoughts? In this so
called technological age where one has AI, Virtual (conferencing, events, reality), robotics, virtual & digital
marketing, video calling apps, and above all the internet, VPNs and much more
to make jobs easier and accommodate all do we need to look at things in such a
stringent manner? If yes, then these technologies are an utter waste of time. Maybe,
we have not learned to trust our employees and vice-versa and feel the need for monitoring
and micro-managing (the master-slave concept basically that has not left our
blood and deep-rooted within). Maybe, we just want to get things done and not
thinking enough of a different way of functioning.
Come 2020! Unprecedented events happen and businesses, mode
of working, the old-age concept were all put to test. People struggled to cope
up with the remote style of working. Things that were once considered
impossible and not looked upon took a front seat as if to mock us in the face
and say “well, you thought you couldn’t work this way? Now, this is the way
out”.
The pandemic that infected millions globally and took lives
and changed everything. By the time you woke up the next morning and before one
could even think straight, normal life was jeopardized for all both personally,
medically, and professionally. Businesses globally started looking for functioning
in a different manner, with newer business models, strategies, and workforce.
They started looking at restructuring and reorganizing job roles, functions, and
bringing in new technology to accommodate one and all while reaching a whole
new audience and workforce globally.
The current situation has thrown out concepts that ruled the
business world out of the window. It has paved the path to various methods of
working professionally. while some are companies are working and kept adapting
themselves to changing times, now, there are more waking up to situations and
preparing themselves to deal with the current, and focus on preparing for the
future. On the other hand, it is bringing in opportunities to a lot of
professionals wanting to work remotely, telecommute or freelance and balance
home and profession at the same time.
Remote work is not a new concept and is very much of a
practice in many countries outside India but we are waking up to this
possibility only in the time of crisis. Well, today, there are many
professionals, including myself working out of our homes. I am working remotely and supporting the
recruitment activities along with content for a Company. An opportunity which
seemed impossible a couple months back is becoming the “in thing” of the
present.
The current times, have most of them working from home, and
it is actually “working” for both the employee and the employer. It has made companies realize with
proper-home-office balance, work timings, efficiency, productivity, and
professionalism has increased. While not all professions (manufacturing,
pharma, banking, etc.) can be looked at a remote work or work from home or
office-absence, but a lot of jobs can be handled and dealt with both models (
office presence and remote/telecommute).
The COVID-19-The deadly virus has undoubtedly caused havoc but it has shown
humankind to be less rigid, accommodative, and work in collaboration with one
another. It has also pointed out various human errors done not only to mother earth
but also in our professional and personal lives.
Times, technology, people, situations change in life. What has worked
in the past, might not work in the present or the future. We also find ways and
means to make changes to our living styles and adapt to it. Innovations, ideas
sprout to make things work in a robust manner.
We are all a part of a single
large sphere. While we live in an anticipation of putting an end to this
threatening situation soon and prepare for a better, bright future, let us
make space for one another, accommodate, and grow together.
© Copyright
All Rights reserved Lavanya M Rao
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