Feeling Trapped at Work: How Do You Handle Strict Office Rules and No Breaks?

I am facing many problems in the office. I am working as a consultant in a reputed recruitment firm. They are making us work on public holidays, and there are no holidays on Saturday. Even if you are late by just 1 minute, they will cut half a day's salary. They do not allow interacting with colleagues or answering personal calls. It feels like being in jail. I can't even leave the job as I have certain commitments at home. I don't know whom I have to address this problem to. Any suggestions, guys?

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Hi Ruchika, I am working in Bangalore and have around three years of experience in recruitment. Unfortunately, my company is treating us like blue-collar workers. They have installed cameras in the workstation and continuously monitor us. I am really frustrated. They even make us work on laborious days. I can't even bring this issue up to my senior as she is also like that.

Thank you.

To the best of my knowledge, you are continually exploring other options to secure a better position. In the meantime, consider attempting to persuade your immediate reporting officer if possible. Do not lose your temper over these kinds of problems; have faith in yourself and be confident in your ability to handle the situation.

Good Day,
Ram Kishor

"I am facing many problems in the office. I am working as a consultant in a reputable recruitment firm. They are requiring us to work on public holidays with no Saturdays off. If you are even one minute late, they deduct half a day's salary. Furthermore, there is no allowance for interacting with colleagues or answering personal calls. It feels like being in jail. I can't simply quit my job as I have certain commitments at home. I am unsure whom I should address regarding this issue. Any suggestions, guys?"

In jobs, you will find such environments commonly. But your case is definitely like a jail. You cannot fight with the systems. Do one thing: keep working with the present organization and start looking for jobs in other companies. All companies are not similar, so send your resume to other good companies. When you get the opportunity, quit this company.

I would like to suggest one thing: you are in the field of recruitment, which means you have good contact and communication skills. It's better if you quit the job immediately and look for other openings. You are working as an HR recruiter in an organization that doesn't know HR policies and procedures; you can't learn anything there, instead of getting frustrated. Now, the market conditions are good. It's better to work in the garments industry instead of such recruitment agencies.

All the best... Life is short, make it sweet.

Unfortunately, you did not mention the number of years of experience you have. I presume your experience is limited (2-3 years perhaps?).

If you have the capability and the right attitude to work, jobs are certainly available, and being in Bangalore, you should be able to land another job in 3-6 months quite easily.

However, my strong advice is: Don't quit the present job until you have a firm offer in hand, as your chances of landing a good job improve dramatically when you are already employed. Moreover, good employers will immediately see your point of view and probably also sympathize enough to consider you for an opening.

Lastly, try to live by the rules of the organization no matter how painful while you are still there. And when you are finally ready to leave, speak your mind or put your thoughts down to the CEO in writing. Thus, you may do a world of good to your colleagues who are still there.

Regards,
Gerry303

The problem you are stating is very common in the current scenario. However, as far as your personal calls are concerned, the company has every right to restrict you from taking personal calls during office hours. Additionally, taking a leave on Saturday is not obligatory for the company. If they require you to work on Sunday, you can request a day off in the upcoming week as compensation, as it is your right under the Shop & Establishment Act of the respective state, provided your organization is registered under that Act.

Regarding the deduction of half-day salary, you can request your HR manager for a grace period of 15 minutes by explaining the reasons for the delay. I can help you further if you elaborate on your problem and the commitments you have made to the company.

Regards,
Ashish Mittal

Maybe others seem to pacify and sympathize with you, but have you ever noticed that you are being paid for your hours in the office and not for personal work? Every minute is a cost during your office hours. How good a performer are you that you would want to be treated as an exception to other employees? Are you good enough to hold on and make your superiors realize that they can relax in your case? I don't think anyone objects to a minute or two of personal calls or in case of emergency calls or maybe calls during lunchtime. Apart from that, it's your commitment to deliver in your area of expertise and build on that before you can claim that you are a prisoner. Remember that even prisoners have a daily task like reporting to the jailer and doing mundane work. So instead, concentrate on your performance, and all the rest of the things will follow automatically.

Regards,
SS

First and foremost, you have a choice. Let's accept it—working in this condition is your choice; the other choice is to resign and look for a job, which you have not chosen—rightly so. So, you must accept that you have two choices and you have decided to make this choice. Once you accept this, you would not feel helpless.

Having accepted that this is how your organization works, work as if everything is right. Since you have chosen to work in this environment, why not work with positivity and be happy rather than work with negativity and be sad and stressed? Your being negative and sad does not change the environment for the better anyway. While you are there, perform as best as you can; hopefully, you'd be in a position of strength, and there are better chances that your boss will listen to you and your problems.

Whenever you are sad again about your condition, remember, you have chosen to work; no one has forced you to work here.

Your organization must have gone through tough times during the lean phase, which might have prompted them to focus internally on productivity. Many companies are strict about wasting time in chit-chat, personal calls, etc. If you look at the BPO industry, cell phones are simply not allowed. You submit your phone when you get in and get it back after your shift! Every organization has its compulsions; let's not label them as jail. You do not go to jail by choice!

Having said this, I do not mean that you should stick to this organization. Obviously, this is not the best place to be in. With the market opening up, changing jobs is going to be easier—but do not expect anything overnight. Keep trying.

Sorry to sound so harsh.

Be happy always.

Understanding Compromise in the Workplace

Compromising doesn't mean that someone is right and someone is wrong; it only values the thoughts of others by setting aside our ego. In your case, you are compromising with your job. If you want to compromise for some more days, you can stick over there. Otherwise, believe in your capabilities and go into the market to prove yourself. All the best.

Thanks,
T. Laxmi Murthy

Thank you, guys, for your advice. I know I have to work, but sitting continuously for 9 hours in front of the desktop is not a good thing. It would be really good if you speak with your colleagues. It's really annoying to keep your mouth shut.

Dear Renuka,

It's good that your company is giving you a lot of work and not much time for personal talks because they may have tight schedules. You can hone your skills better when goals are challenging. Try to raise your concerns by requesting a scheduled meeting with your boss. During the meeting, you can diplomatically address your growth, likely schedules, and role expectations, and then decide on the future course of action.

Best regards,
scnarang

Thank you, Renuka. We are all facing the same problem. We must not run away; instead, we have to face it. I am working in Delhi and have around fifteen-plus years of experience. My company is treating us very well. They have installed cameras in all the corners of the workstation and will be continuously monitoring us. It can be frustrating; can you imagine more at https://www.citehr.com/250292-how-ov...#ixzz0maDt4KPs

Embrace Challenges and Learn from Experiences

Take everything as positive because we always want to go in comfort, but you can't learn in comfort—no pain without gain.

• On 15th Aug, 26th Jan & 2nd Oct, no company can demand work from you.
• Saturday off is not compulsory in every firm.
• Being 1 minute late—you can discipline yourself. If you follow this, I think you will never be late in your life anywhere.
• Discuss with your colleagues on business focus, how to achieve targets... you can get good incentives.
• Up to a certain extent, personal calls are allowed in most companies, but you can't exceed this limit.
• You can't compare it with jail because it's totally different. Take it positively.

Every experience brings out something good. Good times become good memories. Bad times become good lessons. We never lose; we only gain from life.

Best wishes!

Regards,
Yashwant

Whether a company is a Public Limited Company or a private firm, it can't go beyond the set industrial and shops & establishment norms. You can send a complaint to the Company Law Board if it is a public or private limited company. Otherwise, if it is a private firm, you can approach the Inspector of the Shops and Establishment of the concerned state. They will conduct an inquiry into the unfair practices being adopted by the company and may punish the directors of the company or the proprietor of the firm, as the case may be.

Furthermore, I must advise you to consider leaving such a company where inhuman behavior is adopted and seek employment in a company that adheres to the industry norms.

Regards,
PS Dhingra
Vigilance & Transformation Management Consultant
Dhingra Group of Management & Educational Consultants
New Delhi

Dear Renuka, Most of the middle-level executives face such issues in some organizations. Try to be sincere in what you do. Ignore pains. Think of those who suffer more than you. It's a temporary phenomenon. Science and the proverb never go wrong - Whatever you do, you will get back with interest. Do good, good happens; think bad, bad happens. Soon, the law will take its course, or some courageous persons may change the attitude of the employer. Keep trying. Learn the best while you work with them. Try your best to change the culture through someone who can hear you. One small step will make a small change.

KEEP TRYING FOR A CHANGE

Our best wishes to you to get a better job in the immediate future. I stand with the comments of PS Dhingra regarding Act and actions.

Regards,
MS Krishnan
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]
Krubaa Associate
Chennai 600 004

It's common in most consultancy firms that they work under pressure with fewer staff and need to deliver results quickly. We need to consider the working conditions of unorganized sectors and those below us. Even in the public sector, working conditions are poor for temporary workers.

Do your best as long as you are in service. Keep learning more. The proverb and science never go wrong - you get what you give, which also applies to employers. Try to make small changes. Someone will definitely come to support you, or the law may take its course. Work hard and fulfill your responsibilities. Keep trying sincerely. You have 24 hours a day. Move on from this organization soon. Who knows, one day you may become a successful consultant. Good luck. Try to move on and create a plan with a schedule. Peace is more important. Don't work in shifts without interest and with pain, even if the pay is slightly less.

Regards,
MS Krishnan
Krubaa Associate
Management Consultant
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Dear Renuka Gowda, Namaskar. First of all, don't feel helpless. Try to start resisting a little bit more moderately. Don't think that they will terminate you immediately. Do you really feel that you can work smoothly under such stressful conditions and remain happy? If not, then why continue? Are you gaining so little that you are willing to lose self-esteem and physical fitness? You may commit mistakes, and naturally, they will terminate you. So, why fear? Resistance will teach you a lot; you will find that your fighting spirit has started increasing.

All the best, yaar! Dil chota mat karo!

Regards

Hi Renuka, I can understand your problem very well as I have experienced the same issue you are facing right now. I would like to know one thing: are you keen to pursue a career in HR, or are you just working in a consultancy for earning money? Please answer this question so that I may be able to help you out.

Thanks & Regards,

Meenu Tyagi

This is clearly a problem of employee harassment or mismanagement of thoughts at the employee level. I think you have some kind of bonding/contractual relationship with the organization for which you cannot leave the organization. Correct me if I am wrong. However, following any kind of contractual relationship, the employer has to provide an employee with a suitable environment for interaction, learning, safety, and growth.

I think, looking at your problem, these things are quite absent from your current job.

You have to first report it to your immediate supervisor in writing and wait for his/her response. If nothing concrete comes from this, you should approach the HR department in writing and wait for their response. I hope things will become concrete. However, if still no one takes corrective steps for improvement, you can leave the organization with a breach of the contract. But first, search for a good job opportunity as well.

If you still need my help, please write to me at [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons].

Regards,
Rahul Dwivedi