All work and no play

Times are difficult. Organisations are trying their best to stay afloat. And, the one thing needed for their survival is more working hours.
Little wonder then that employees are bowed down with longer working hours. Some of the IT giants have already increased the working hours of their employees.
But, do the employees actually appreciate the move?
Pushpak Natekar, a test engineer, says, ���Many policies have been rolled out in the last few months ��� one of them being extended working hours.But, there is no murmur about this in the organisation. Everybody knows what the industry is going through.��� Many processes are being streamlined, which, in a way, will help the organisation in the long run, feels Pushpak.
In some companies, there is no change in the working hours, but the management is keeping a strict watch over their employees and even a slight discrepancy in their working hours is brought to notice. Ashish Patil, a senior software professional, says that this has its own merits and demerits. ���Cracking down on employees is being a bit unreasonable. Such strictness demoralises them and makes them feel insecure. The workplace isn���t what it used to be. The cheer and fun is all gone,��� says Ashish. The positive side is that deliveries are made on time, which will bring more business to the organisation, he opines.
The hierarchy is making its presence felt. The subordiantes are being questioned by their superiors. ���The seniors raise objection even to our taking off on Saturdays. The outstanding performers are being tarred with the same brush as the average performers,��� says Sanjay Barhua (name changed), a database administrator. Sanjay doesn���t brush aside the fact that the current economic scenario has prompted organisations to adopt extreme measures, but it has to be done discreetly, he says.
Smriti Saxena (named changed), an HR with an IT company, says, ���Business never runs in an ideal setting and the current economic scenario is an absolute challenge for every company. Employee well-being is never forgotten, but there are times when the difference between important and urgent is markedly felt.��� According to Smriti, sustenance is the urgent issue now. Other concerns might take a low prioroty till the industry comes out of this slow patch.
In the existing economic situation, the strain on the employee is getting severe. The corporates feel extending working hours is a better solution to lay-offs. Well, that is something that every employee will surely agree with.