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.