Do you know that over 600 million people in India are currently working? Doing different types of labor, having experience in different sectors- law, marketing, banking, etc.
I am also one of those working people, doing labor for the past 4.5 years. Working in an office since being to which I still don’t know what it means.
When I googled- “What is an office”, the result showed- “An office is a designated space, physical or virtual, for administrative, professional, or clerical work, serving as a hub for an organization’s coordination, communication, and management tasks, but it can also refer to a specific role or position within that organization, like a public office or treasurer”.
Fair enough!
But when I googled “What is an appropriate office”, do you know what it showed?
“An appropriate office is a strategically located, comfortable, and functional space that reflects company culture, prioritizes employee well-being (with natural light, ergonomics, and wellness areas), supports diverse work styles (collaboration and focus zones), and is technologically equipped, balancing open spaces with private areas to boost productivity, retention, and a positive brand image.”
This got me thinking, have I ever worked in an appropriate office?
Either I worked in a company where people took advantage of my innocence, so that I never got what I deserved.
Or a company where people were great, the company culture was absolutely dreamy but the company couldn’t grow the way it should have.
Or a company established 10 years ago was still a startup with no proper policy (LalaJi says!). Where the supposedly seniors argue every day like they are in a Road Rash.
Or a company being so big and well-established, offering a good salary package, a happening environment with freedom to showcase your creativity, lacks a good leader. Where I got shifted to various teams (Not on my will!) and worked with different Managers and different work (Good for exposure but at last was questioned- “What did you achieve in the past year?”). Well, I have my report (But whatever!). After working so long, after receiving appreciation for my work, I do not want to argue. I just quit!
Or a company with 30 staff, has a good number of projects, and friendly people. With hiring staff who hide information before joining and a Manager who is jealous of me being close (By close i mean bestfriend) to his favorite employee, who he tortures to the extent that he reads each conversation on that person’s Teams. And later, confronts while abusing like hell (No, they are not related). Where there is a policy but no policy. Where 100 efforts get overshadowed by 1 late arrival.
Huh, strange? creepy? or psychopath?
These are just a few companies that I have worked but there are hundreds and thousands like this and may be worse than this.
One of my friends works in a company where he was targeted. The reason- Just because he existed and was doing his work too well.
My other friend worked in a company where everything was perfect, colleagues, work, everything. But the only thing was that the Team Lead didn’t like her, so she targeted her.
I know their stories, and as I am mentioning here, it might seem just a small case, but I heard and saw them crying. They are bold, courageous people who handle situations too well; they get broken down.
People say, switch to a different company, work in a better, appropriate office. And I still stand by my question- “What is an appropriate office?”
I want to grow, learn things! I am currently working with no leaves, none at all. Yup, you got it right. No casual, no sick, no paid. Timing- 10 to 7, if you reach by 10:01, you have to mandatorily stay till 7:30. 6 days working with 30 minutes of lunch break, no tea break or anything. For tea/coffee, you will get it at your seat, but you can’t get it yourself.
Whenever I apply, the hiring team asks why do you wanna switch so early, why do you switch too often. What should I tell them? I only say these terms: “growth,” “work pressure,” and “distance.”
Still, I have applied to a number of big companies, given a number of rounds, and was at the final stage but destiny plays with me every time.
Sometimes, I feel I should just leave everything and go to the Himalayas but I need lots of money to do so.
To even get a side income, I wrote a book. Now, I need money to pay the people from whom I took money to get my book published.
Currently, my mind is aching and I’m just working mindlessly. I can’t take a break, I have family to look after. Still, if I do take a break, will companies offer me a salary with a hike to my previously withdrawn amount?
Let me give you clear cut answer- NO, they won’t.
So, except for complaining and enduring, there is nothing an employee like me can do.