Untold : HR DIMENSION OF BUSINESS- STORY THREE:
WORKMEN COMPENSATION ACT CANNOT ADDRESS THIS !
Shift end activities were at peak. Next day a big consignment was to leave for USA. Paper...
Friday, September 29, 2017
HR DIMENSION OF BUSINESS- STORY THREE
WORKMEN COMPENSATION ACT CANNOT ADDRESS THIS !
Shift end activities were at peak. Next day a big consignment was to leave for USA. Paper work was in progress. By the time it was ready, the clock was showing 7 pm. The team decided to visit the authority's place to obtain signature and approval. The official used to stay at a district place, about 45 km away from the plant. Two persons took company's jeep to reach him. He was informed over phone and he had consented to oblige.
At night around 1 am, we got phone call. Our jeep had met with a severe accident on the highway and all three persons in the jeep died on the spot.
We rushed. The scene was unbelievable. Jeep had crashed. The dead bodies were beyond any identification. Police were informed. We went to government hospital. Postmortem and other formalities went on till 7 am. Meanwhile we were trying to find out about this accident. The government official confirmed that around 9.30 pm he had cleared all documents. May be jeep planned for return journey so as to reach before midnight. What exactly went wrong, nobody knows but there was collision on the highway and the truck driver managed to vanish as usual. Probably the bodies continued lying on the road for some time for want of help.
Finally, some vehicle stopped. No mechanism was with them to identify and report. They managed to locate our company's logo on the dashboard of jeep. Somehow I-cards were also traced and then the news came to security gate.
Hearts of family members were obviously broken, when our ambulance reached company. Such scene always makes me uncomfortable. That is " professional hazard " for HR fraternity. Meeting body pieces of colleagues ( with whom we have shared lots of moments of joy in the past) is nothing worst than sin. Words have no voice, when it comes to speaking to their family members on such occasion.
The real question was- If two employees had booked company jeep and prepared gate pass, after official permission, where does the THIRD person come in picture ?
One canteen boy, after finishing his daily routine, just requested them and accompanied- without intimation, without permission. The most unfortunate person that day, who had invited his death- a young 20-21 year old boy, that too a person working on our premises through a contractor. He was not even our employee.
Final rituals were performed. Legal matters initiated. With heavy heart, our routine started. As per the provisions of Workmen Compensation Act, we settled two cases. Wife of one of the employees was even offered a job as clerk on humanitarian grounds.
Question was about the canteen boy ! Who will take the responsibility of his compensation? We found out a solution- appeal was made for personal contributions to all the employees. Whatever few thousands thus collected, were handed over to his father. Nowhere match to the loss ! Only a small satisfaction, that we continue to be " HUMAN".
Legislation never thinks of such situations while being framed or amended.
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Untold : HR DIMENSION OF BUSINESS- STORY TWO
Untold : HR DIMENSION OF BUSINESS- STORY TWO: LESSON IN "BEING HUMAN" ...
HR DIMENSION OF BUSINESS- STORY TWO
LESSON IN "BEING HUMAN"
Dr. N. H. DESHPANDE
Khedkar was my one of favorite workers in final assembly department. Silent, polite, cooperative, productive and hardly seen in any union politics. He used to confine himself to his work.
Only one bad habit- chewing tobacco ! I used to shout at him, but with a smile on face he used to neglect that.
Out of 12 stages on main line, he had an important place- trailing arm sub- assembly.
A new ambitious two-wheeler product was launched by the company. Huge booking and a healthy waiting list. Naturally all were excited and under pressure also. I was assembly In charge and we used to hardly assemble 55 vehicles/shift. The humble beginning was from 5 vehicles/shift and now management wanted us to reach 100 vehicles/ shift as early as possible.
That morning, there was something wrong with Khedkar. He was extraordinarily silent. Did not wish me at the start of shift. Directly started work at his stage. Frequently going to wash room and tobacco chewing was continuous.
In a hour or so from the start of shift, I noticed that line speed is slowing down. Vehicles were getting accumulated at Khedkar's stage. Naturally next stage operators were idle. Unless Khedkar completes and fits his trailing arm assembly, petrol tank, seat, engine fitment stages were not moving. I tried to push him, but he was somewhere.
Around lunch time, our half day production was nearing 16 vehicles. At this rate, it was next to impossible to achieve daily target of 55 vehicles. I again asked him whether he wanted some support or should I change his stage? He simply said " I am trying to do my best ! You are also observing me. Cannot be faster than this." I kept mum.
Post lunch, I was trying to push production so that we can reach a comfortable figure. Khedkar continued to be bottleneck.
Around 2 pm, I lost my cool and shouted at him. Blamed him for loss of production and told that he will be held responsible. He just said " do whatever you want to do ! I don't care." This was insult to me in front of entire assembly team. Had hardly completed a year and half, after my engineering and as such was not able to bear it.
I sent Agarwal in his place to make up the production loss and asked Khedkar to take up sub assembly (little away from main line). He refused and said that he will not change his stage. Upon insistence, he came to my table, pulled out a blank sheet and wrote his resignation, handed it to me. Soon after that he left.
The day was down. With mere 28 as daily production, we ended the shift and got mentally ready to get mouthful from Plant Manager. The environment was tense and all were speechless. The high voltage drama of Khedkar left us blank.
After 4-5 days, I was in second shift. Around 9 pm, I got a call from security, that there was trunk call from Sangli for me. It took ten minutes for me to reach main gate. Khedkar was on the line.
" Sorry sir ! that day I misbehaved with you. " His voice- full of apology was sounding original. This was MY Khedkar.
Now it was my turn. I blasted him with interest. He was silent. He simply asked- " Can I resume tomorrow?"
I told him- " No need ! His resignation has been forwarded with recommendations for acceptance. " He urged to call back that paper and he would meet me next day and explain.
Next day, Plant Manager called me. Khedkar was already in his cabin. Boss said:
" Khedkar has said sorry. He needs job badly. So I am not accepting his resignation. " Then turning to Khedkar, PM said " Go to your department and start working. Submit leave application for your absence."
After Khedkar left, he calmly told me " Nitin, do you know the reason behind Khedkar's outburst that day? Did you try to find out, why he was erratic and misbehaving? Was it not against his normal nature?"
He continued- "Previous evening of that day, his wife had ran away with her boy friend. His marriage was hardly three month old. Two of them had recently settled in Pune, after marriage. Now tell me, how can he give you 55 trailing arm assemblies?"
I was shocked. Never imagined this reason, although had guessed that something was disturbing.
PM said " You are not only line supervisor, but you are also HR person ( although the word HR was not coined in those days and my company was happy with " Personnel Department" tag) of your team. Be human first ! Targets can occasionally wait. Respect feelings and emotions of your people. Try to study and find out- why people behave the way they behave at workplace? Many cannot have two water tight compartments namely home and work place. They carry home at work place and take work place while going home. No perfect ON-OFF switch. Learn empathy. Have you ever thought of putting your feet in Khedkar's shoes? What will be your reaction, if you were to face his situation?"
I was not married then, so was stretching my imagination. Preferred to keep silent.
Nonetheless Khedkar had gone to Sangli after throwing his resignation, had informed his family. After a search of day or two, his wife returned to her in laws place, realizing her mistake. Now everything was in place and story had happy ending. All this, of course, I came to know afterwards.
First lesson of my life, which probably forced me to HR career at a later stage.
Dr. N. H. DESHPANDE
Khedkar was my one of favorite workers in final assembly department. Silent, polite, cooperative, productive and hardly seen in any union politics. He used to confine himself to his work.
Only one bad habit- chewing tobacco ! I used to shout at him, but with a smile on face he used to neglect that.
Out of 12 stages on main line, he had an important place- trailing arm sub- assembly.
A new ambitious two-wheeler product was launched by the company. Huge booking and a healthy waiting list. Naturally all were excited and under pressure also. I was assembly In charge and we used to hardly assemble 55 vehicles/shift. The humble beginning was from 5 vehicles/shift and now management wanted us to reach 100 vehicles/ shift as early as possible.
That morning, there was something wrong with Khedkar. He was extraordinarily silent. Did not wish me at the start of shift. Directly started work at his stage. Frequently going to wash room and tobacco chewing was continuous.
In a hour or so from the start of shift, I noticed that line speed is slowing down. Vehicles were getting accumulated at Khedkar's stage. Naturally next stage operators were idle. Unless Khedkar completes and fits his trailing arm assembly, petrol tank, seat, engine fitment stages were not moving. I tried to push him, but he was somewhere.
Around lunch time, our half day production was nearing 16 vehicles. At this rate, it was next to impossible to achieve daily target of 55 vehicles. I again asked him whether he wanted some support or should I change his stage? He simply said " I am trying to do my best ! You are also observing me. Cannot be faster than this." I kept mum.
Post lunch, I was trying to push production so that we can reach a comfortable figure. Khedkar continued to be bottleneck.
Around 2 pm, I lost my cool and shouted at him. Blamed him for loss of production and told that he will be held responsible. He just said " do whatever you want to do ! I don't care." This was insult to me in front of entire assembly team. Had hardly completed a year and half, after my engineering and as such was not able to bear it.
I sent Agarwal in his place to make up the production loss and asked Khedkar to take up sub assembly (little away from main line). He refused and said that he will not change his stage. Upon insistence, he came to my table, pulled out a blank sheet and wrote his resignation, handed it to me. Soon after that he left.
The day was down. With mere 28 as daily production, we ended the shift and got mentally ready to get mouthful from Plant Manager. The environment was tense and all were speechless. The high voltage drama of Khedkar left us blank.
After 4-5 days, I was in second shift. Around 9 pm, I got a call from security, that there was trunk call from Sangli for me. It took ten minutes for me to reach main gate. Khedkar was on the line.
" Sorry sir ! that day I misbehaved with you. " His voice- full of apology was sounding original. This was MY Khedkar.
Now it was my turn. I blasted him with interest. He was silent. He simply asked- " Can I resume tomorrow?"
I told him- " No need ! His resignation has been forwarded with recommendations for acceptance. " He urged to call back that paper and he would meet me next day and explain.
Next day, Plant Manager called me. Khedkar was already in his cabin. Boss said:
" Khedkar has said sorry. He needs job badly. So I am not accepting his resignation. " Then turning to Khedkar, PM said " Go to your department and start working. Submit leave application for your absence."
After Khedkar left, he calmly told me " Nitin, do you know the reason behind Khedkar's outburst that day? Did you try to find out, why he was erratic and misbehaving? Was it not against his normal nature?"
He continued- "Previous evening of that day, his wife had ran away with her boy friend. His marriage was hardly three month old. Two of them had recently settled in Pune, after marriage. Now tell me, how can he give you 55 trailing arm assemblies?"
I was shocked. Never imagined this reason, although had guessed that something was disturbing.
PM said " You are not only line supervisor, but you are also HR person ( although the word HR was not coined in those days and my company was happy with " Personnel Department" tag) of your team. Be human first ! Targets can occasionally wait. Respect feelings and emotions of your people. Try to study and find out- why people behave the way they behave at workplace? Many cannot have two water tight compartments namely home and work place. They carry home at work place and take work place while going home. No perfect ON-OFF switch. Learn empathy. Have you ever thought of putting your feet in Khedkar's shoes? What will be your reaction, if you were to face his situation?"
I was not married then, so was stretching my imagination. Preferred to keep silent.
Nonetheless Khedkar had gone to Sangli after throwing his resignation, had informed his family. After a search of day or two, his wife returned to her in laws place, realizing her mistake. Now everything was in place and story had happy ending. All this, of course, I came to know afterwards.
First lesson of my life, which probably forced me to HR career at a later stage.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Untold : HR DIMENSION OF BUSINESS- STORY ONE
Untold : HR DIMENSION OF BUSINESS- STORY ONE: My Multinational Company in Pune took over a Valve Manufacturing Company in Kerala as a part of business expansion. As Head- HR, I was depu...
HR DIMENSION OF BUSINESS- STORY ONE
My Multinational Company in Pune took over a Valve Manufacturing Company in Kerala as a part of business expansion. As Head- HR, I was deputed for smooth transition, grade equivalence, salary band matches etc etc. I was greeted by the Owner. Stay arrangements at company guest house were comfortable. Sight seeing was organized, since it was my first visit to Kerala- God's own land. Then started the hectic routine. I was to finish the assignment in less than a week and return to Pune. I was taken care of with good hospitality, humble services. I finished my job, and informed my Dy. M. D. ( who was at Coimbatore). He came next day. The new appointment letters ( with new designations, new job profiles, new salary structure) were ready. My Dy. M. D. signed letters of senior team to be handed over to them. New Organizational Chart prepared by me was also approved. The senior team of Valve company was invited to Conference Hall. They were anxious. Now their future was tied up with a German Multinational. Diversity, politics, culture, policies all new for them. The knot was tied and they wanted to know- what after this change? Although the jobs were protected, but what next? How they will be received and accepted in new environment?
The owner was also in the audience. He was courteous during my week long stay, was curious to understand our ways of thinking and working, also was giving me some tips and hints. In short, he was travelling the distance with me.
After the formalities, my Dy. M. D. started distributing the appointment letters. He called the owner first (who incidentally had decided to take up a job, in new structure and hence I had prepared letter for him also, with new designation, pay package etc.)
He came on the Dias, received his letter, had a cursory glance at it and then he looked at me. His facial expressions, especially eyes were beyond description. Owner of yesterday, had become an employee of today. What a mental status transformation ? I could imagine, what was going on in his mind ! he might be tracking all the journey and milestones. The company which he owned so far, was no more 'HIS. The relationship now was new, Employer- Employee.
Unique experience for me. I was not able to look at him.
The owner was also in the audience. He was courteous during my week long stay, was curious to understand our ways of thinking and working, also was giving me some tips and hints. In short, he was travelling the distance with me.
After the formalities, my Dy. M. D. started distributing the appointment letters. He called the owner first (who incidentally had decided to take up a job, in new structure and hence I had prepared letter for him also, with new designation, pay package etc.)
He came on the Dias, received his letter, had a cursory glance at it and then he looked at me. His facial expressions, especially eyes were beyond description. Owner of yesterday, had become an employee of today. What a mental status transformation ? I could imagine, what was going on in his mind ! he might be tracking all the journey and milestones. The company which he owned so far, was no more 'HIS. The relationship now was new, Employer- Employee.
Unique experience for me. I was not able to look at him.
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Untold : Tragic death of another MBA student of mine
Untold : Tragic death of another MBA student of mine: He got campus placement. He went to Mumbai for initial introductory session with his prospective employer. DOJ was mutually worked out. Mea...
Tragic death of another MBA student of mine
He got campus placement. He went to Mumbai for initial introductory session with his prospective employer. DOJ was mutually worked out. Meanwhile he came back to Pune for Holi celebrations with his batch mates.
Institute was having holiday. Students were busy in celebrations. Next day, it was festival of colors. He also enjoyed colors all around. Full day fun, masti and time pass. As if he was having last few moments of his life and he wanted to Live those moments. I had no reason to know this entire story.
In the evening, all friends went near Khadakwasala Dam for swimming. He was to return to Mumbai next day for his first job. Some where something went wrong. He never came out of water. I got the news. Entire Institute rushed to the spot. His friends were also speechless. We got help from local people. Police was informed. No clue !
Two days search operation was going on. His family at Nagpur were also intimated about the mishap. They were not ready to believe the news. He was a good swimmer. They said " Nothing will happen to him." They even refused to come to Pune.
After two days, the news of one dead body came. We reached there. It was HIS !! Friends could make it out from his wrist watch.
Police case- postmortem ! All formalities completed. On informing his family members, they were not ready to believe. Also they were not ready to come to Pune due to some reasons.
One ambulance from Pune, with one of my faculty members, two students accompanied the dead body to Nagpur. I can just imagine the scene at his home !!
My students were shocked, so was I. Death of two students in one year of Directorship of MBA Institute in Pune was my destiny ! Still carrying it with me.
Institute was having holiday. Students were busy in celebrations. Next day, it was festival of colors. He also enjoyed colors all around. Full day fun, masti and time pass. As if he was having last few moments of his life and he wanted to Live those moments. I had no reason to know this entire story.
In the evening, all friends went near Khadakwasala Dam for swimming. He was to return to Mumbai next day for his first job. Some where something went wrong. He never came out of water. I got the news. Entire Institute rushed to the spot. His friends were also speechless. We got help from local people. Police was informed. No clue !
Two days search operation was going on. His family at Nagpur were also intimated about the mishap. They were not ready to believe the news. He was a good swimmer. They said " Nothing will happen to him." They even refused to come to Pune.
After two days, the news of one dead body came. We reached there. It was HIS !! Friends could make it out from his wrist watch.
Police case- postmortem ! All formalities completed. On informing his family members, they were not ready to believe. Also they were not ready to come to Pune due to some reasons.
One ambulance from Pune, with one of my faculty members, two students accompanied the dead body to Nagpur. I can just imagine the scene at his home !!
My students were shocked, so was I. Death of two students in one year of Directorship of MBA Institute in Pune was my destiny ! Still carrying it with me.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
RADHA MOHAN & HELMET
In January 2005, I reached Delhi in the morning and soon received a call from my deputy. One of our students, Radha Mohan had met with an accident early in the morning and has been hospitalized. He is in coma and is suffering from head injury. Doctors have advised surgery and my directives are needed.
By the way, I was Director of a MBA Institute in Pune then and had gone to Delhi for a week long stay, in connection with placements of my first batch, which was to pass out in May. I had at least 30 appointments lined up for next week or so, all in New Delhi, Noida and Gaziabad. My back office team in placement office had done a wonderful job and had handed over to me date and slot wise list of all big names, to whom I was scheduled to meet and invite them to my campus for placement of students. The Institute was new (so was I, in the capacity of Director) and placement of first batch mattered most to us, since fresh admissions are purely based on track record of placements.
I was stuck and helpless too. I just got the entire story over phone.
Previous night, Radha Mohan had gone to one of his friends and while returning to his room on bike at around 3 am, he met with an accident. Luckily one taxi saw him on the road. From his last number dialed, the driver contacted his room partner. Soon he was hospitalized.
I gave necessary instructions to my deputy and also president of student council. My students were with him in hospital for 10-12 days. They had also contributed money for treatment of Radha Mohan. Institute had its share. The brain surgery estimate was to the tune of 1.92 L.
His parents from a village near Chennai were informed and brought to Pune. My students took care of them and counseled as well. ( Radha was the only son and parents came from rural back ground). I was also in touch over phone with the doctors treating him. The surgery was successful but he was still in coma for around 10 days. Doctors had kept their fingers crossed. We were all immature to handle such situation, which was one of its kind and I had come across it for the first time.
On return to Pune from Delhi, I rushed to the hospital, met the doctors, his parents and also my students. "Death would be better option for him." Doctors informed.
Finally his struggle for life ended and one morning, I got his death message. Then there were police formalities. I had no courage to face his parents. We all joined the funeral. His father with folded hands and tearful eyes sought my permission to address all students who had assembled.
He uttered only one sentence- " Please always wear helmet while driving a two wheeler. I have lost my only son, but it should not happen with anyone."
I can not forget first death incidence of my student till date.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)