Thursday, June 19, 2008

Democracy

These two days were very engaging. When there are no works there are no works at all and when there is work it makes one sweat till the last drop. Even then I prefer busy days against the dull ones. Yesterday was more tiring than today, today I managed to peek into an e-Book I have been reading from few days. The office hour was reaching its end while I was reading the intriguing lines. It was a call from my immediate executive, all the staffs were summoned and at that time among fifteen hardly six can turn up. We were four in his room where he was busy making some papers. He handed one to all of us, without actually looking at the paper which was already in our hand we wanted to know what it was from the horse’s mouth. It was a real surprise a thunder in its own way. Hurrah!!! Democracy. We were supposed to give our opinion on who should receive the annual perk from our department this year. We have to give names of one executive and one non-executive who we think should receive the perk or grade. We have to scribble the name of staffs. We do not require signing or jotting down our names. No criteria for the nomination were suggested possibly believing we were mature enough to justify our nomination.
One of my colleagues was less interested while I was little exuberant. We can even recommend our own names, unfortunately I do not find myself deserving and more unfortunate is the fact that I cannot think of any other deserving executive. While our seniors are more engaged in meetings and planning rather than implementing, we without doubt work more than that. Planning of course is a rigorous act but only when you are committed and one does not sit for planning for the sake of planning itself and belching the meeting allowance. Planners are rarely accountable when their plans fail. On one of those meetings we didn’t talk anything on the purpose for which we had sat together but we (including myself) indulged in current political development. We so much shamelessly mock the system that we have committee to recommend software (e-mail server) though the decision to buy particular software has already been made. Committees have other advantages as well, first being the allowance one gets and the other being sharing the accountability for works that are usually dubious.
Anyways I was excited today for it was a signal of change, sign of democracy. As far as non-executives are concerned, there are two deserving candidates while others are worse than worthless. Now I am little confused on whom I should recommend. We have seven non-executives out of which five are good for nothing. The one with the most gloomy face is an active member of union and he does nothing. The only task assigned to him is to survey different section and take note of that, even with no work he is the one who is never satisfied. All of my colleagues were unanimous that he will get only one vote and that will be his own. The other has remained absent (though appearing present in office’s attendance register) lamenting on his personal issues. Even when he comes he shows no interest in work except reading newspaper. I don’t know how he is going to get even a single recommendation with his rude behavior and unauthorized absence. One of the assistants is also an active member of union and he talks/demands more rights than earning it by executing what he is supposed to do. Boss’ secretary is new and he is also someone rarely seen in his desk. One is lady who was in pregnancy leave from two months and that makes her chance of getting a recommendation bleak. Now the two are left. One is a really laborious assistant, facilitator who is always available (before 2:00PM) when one needs him. A hardworking and proactive staff, though he runs his small private business without affecting the office choirs. But then he leaves work at 2:00PM though office time is till 5:00PM. Even then he does more work in a single day than his peer does in a whole month. The final one is a young man who is exploited like no other in the whole department. He does overtime, runs from section to section repairing and fixing computer related problems, comes to office even during holidays and is really helpful. I do not prefer people who raise no voice against exploitation and who consciously fall victim to the exploiter. The poor guy is doing work of three people all along by himself. I don’t know why people do not understand by falling prey to exploitation they will never win praises and perks. On the contrary those who exploit him will never want him to rise out of fear that if he rises higher they won’t be able to exploit him as easily as they are doing now. If one is being exploited because of his/her helplessness it can be justified. For example a father with a family to feed do not raise voice against his exploiter because there is no job available if he leaves his exploiter, in this case he might be justified but if he is a silent oppressed with no obligations he deserves no pity.
I have expressed my discontent in above paragraphs on the staffs who do not work. One thing that cannot be denied is that they are doing what they are asked to do. There is no one to cross check the activities of staffs. Seniors remain mum against the breach of office rules. As far as the staff who needs to work for one day a week is concerned, he is assigned no other jobs and he can easily avoid new assignments citing lack of knowledge. What a shame for department that spends a big part of its annual budget in trainings to enhance skills of staffs. Management cannot expect efficient work and discharge of duties unless it ensures none of its staffs are exploited and there is balance of work between them. May be this is also a sign for other changes. Let me hold on to my excitement.
When we were out of our executives’ room the same colleague who was skeptical inside said it was just a show off, a sponsored event with no significance. He said he even knew the one who will get the perk. It was the same man with discontented face from the union working only once a week. I said I can’t say anything but we agreed that he won’t get a single recommendation. He said he is even ready to bet, we informally have a bet on. I must admit my exuberance was descending from its peak and soon I was indifferent.
Is it only a drama? May be or may be not. We have also not been told that our recommendation will be used to make final recommendation, but it indicated that only our opinions were sought. We however can easily know if it was a drama when the one getting the grade will be declared. If my colleague wins the bet it will surely mean it was just a setup. I do not like to be pessimistic before anything has really happened, I hope this time there will be no foul play and our opinions will be counted. If that is to happen that will be a perk in itself for me individually and I know it will encourage other colleagues as well. It might also send message to the staffs who shun works to work properly.
Last year when the perk was announced there was a frustration among few colleagues unfortunately those who lie on the bracket of irresponsible staffs. They think one should get perks on the basis of their tenure. What a pity? Only those who has no work to speak for them bring this kind of opinion.

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