Facing Relocation Pressure: Can My Manager Really Make Me Move to Bengaluru?

Hi all,

I work at one of the MNC IT companies in Pune. I am a college graduate and started at the company as a fresher in October. Recently, my manager informed me that I need to relocate to Bengaluru for a support project that will last 3 years. Due to family issues, I declined the relocation. However, my manager still expects me to move, which is not feasible for me. Can my manager force me to relocate against my wishes? If so, how should I communicate my situation to him? I would appreciate any advice on how to handle this issue.

Thank you in advance.

One must remember that company interest will prevail over individual interest. You can try to convince your manager by showing evidence of family issues, etc. The company may not give you a choice if relocation is vital for them. You should be able to judge the importance of your move. Otherwise, start looking for a change of job.

Balancing Career and Family Responsibilities

Please note that postings are part and parcel of our career. To progress in one's career, one should strike a balance between professional growth and family responsibility. India is a highly family-centric country. Against this backdrop, we cannot abdicate our filial, sororal, or fraternal responsibilities. Nevertheless, a career is also equally important.

Advantages of Relocating to Bangalore

a) From a career point of view, you could learn something new. Relocation will help you in your professional growth.

b) Bangalore is the IT capital of India. Therefore, you will interact with a large number of like-minded professionals. This will improve your general knowledge of the IT industry as a whole. Above all, I have interacted with IT professionals across India. They have opined that IT companies in Bangalore have a far more professional atmosphere. Companies have branches in other places as well; however, the work atmosphere may not be world-class.

c) In the social context, you will encounter a different culture. Relocation will be a departure from the homogeneous atmosphere you might be living in. Please note that exposure to diverse cultures also builds personality. This exposure blunts unwarranted pride in one's culture.

Challenges of Relocating

d) Separation from family members. If you have a strong family affiliation, then relocation may make you distraught.

e) You might have to stay in Paying Guest (PG) accommodation. This demands changes in your daily routine or general lifestyle. If you are staying with family members, you could be relying on the support mechanism that elders have created. You will have to live without this mechanism.

f) Living in another city increases expenditure. This additional expenditure could offset the increase in salary that your company may offer.

g) This is with respect to (e) above. Living in PG makes one lazy too. Once a habit of laziness is built, it is difficult to get rid of. The second problem is living in PG may convert you into a disorganized, lethargic person. This is also a negative side-effect. However, this is only a possibility. If the habit of staying organized is deep-rooted in your personality, then relocation will not make you disorganized. On the contrary, you may become a role model to others on staying organized.

With all said and done, I strongly recommend you consider relocation. As a third party or member of this forum, I can only help you in doing a pros and cons analysis. The rest of the decision is yours.

All the best!

Regards, Dinesh Divekar

Experience with Transfer Policies in CPSUs

Dineshji has given a very detailed reply, and I fully agree with him. I would like to narrate my own experience. In the CPSU where I worked, there was a peculiar transfer policy. Men and women were recruited for the same positions with identical pay scales and appointment letters, which stated that they would be transferred anywhere as per the company's requirement. However, such women employees were never transferred unless they volunteered for it. On the other hand, male employees were compulsorily transferred for 1 year/3 years. Even if someone had a genuine domestic problem, they were not spared, and disciplinary proceedings were initiated if they did not accept the transfer order.

I fought against this gender-based discrimination and took the fight all the way up to the CMD. However, he sidetracked the issue and warned me not to pursue it further. I do admit that I lacked the courage to take on a monolithic CPSU single-handedly (the union leaders were granted exemption and were in management's pocket!) to court because, frankly, our legal redressal system cannot be relied upon to provide timely justice.

As a result, during my career of three and a half decades, I was transferred to seven places. Despite all that, I still believe that transfers broaden one's understanding, and facing different situations provides in-depth knowledge of the job, which a person sitting in one place will never acquire. Therefore, accepting the transfer, even if it entails some family hardship, will ultimately be immensely beneficial.

Regards, Horizon9