Power Play

Abhi thought that the happiest day of his life is the one when he joined JVS Corporation. JVS is a multinational, basically a big daddy in the software realm. Though Abhi was hired for its backend operations, he considered himself lucky. But how wrong he was! He left his previous organization and joined JVS owing to two reasons. One, a substantial hike in the pay and second the brand name. That was all he had aspired from JVS when he joined. Little did he know that JVS backend department is a viper's nest of corruption, power play and squalid politics. Abhi's batch consisted of a few affable, co-operative and fun-loving associates. Of them included Aditya, Anshita and Pooja. Pooja outwardly seemed very helpful but deep down a smart and scheming player. The first month consisted of training. And the training sessions were running smooth. At that point of time, not one of the new associates had any inkling of how things were seriously erroneous at JVS. Taking notes, practical hand-on-experience on the project they were to work on, consisted of a nine-hour shift they were allocated. It was fun during the first few month months. Soon training days came to a close and the new batch was ready to hit the floor for production. The first few months on the production floor seemed normal. The utility project Abhi and the new batch were trained for was a promising one. A lot of work is to be done maintaining the productivity and quality parameters. And the parameters were not a mammoth task to achieve. Abhi and his new batch were all enthusiastic about the new company, the new work and the new co-employees they were to work with.

Trouble surfaced when the new project manager, Sumit Bindra took charge of the project. Abhi was hard-working and thought that he could get ahead in his new job by proving how capable he was. But his project manager Bindra suddenly became very cool and started cold shouldering Abhi and his group. It was a strange practice at JVS that, particularly two associates with uninformed long absence from office and major client errors were sent abroad for up-skilling! And, later promoted. Who were they? Why they were given such opportunity despite their bad track record? Did Bindra have a hand in these? These are the questions that worried Abhi and his group. Abhi, by nature is docile and meek. He is not outspoken. He failed to realize that his over humble attitude shall soon turn into a curse during his tenure at JVS. Undue submissiveness are a sign of vulnerability and considered a drawback in the corporate world. And crooks like Sumit Bindra shall soon notice this and take illegitimate advantages of his power and position. Aditya on the other hand, is bold and never feared to speak the truth. Though, his honesty earned him a sarcastic nickname 'Bhagat Singh' at JVS.

Soon Abhi, Aditya and Anshita were achieving all the parameters necessary that calls for good work. But additional responsibilities and privileges were assigned to a few picked ones who were in the good books of Bindra. The work of the utility project was not a rocket-science one. It was a simple data input job. Abhi, Anshita and Aditya were all hard workers. They even skipped lunch to walk that extra mile to impress Bindra with their good performance. But they failed to get recognition. Dissatisfaction and grievances were building up among the associates.

It was lunch break. Abhi, Anshita, Aditya and Pooja were all seated at the cafeteria for lunch. They were all demoralized and de-motivated. Aditya said, "Have you noticed guys? We all are working like hell and the quality checks have been assigned to Savita." Pooja added, "Of course, Savita being so close to Bindra." Anshita agreed saying, "Its strange guys. Savita has joined only a month and not even processed enough number of files. And look she heads the quality." Abhi remained quite in these discussions. He is well aware of this open discrimination at JVS. But he had little mettle to voice his concerns. In his heart, he knew well enough that these criticisms and protests would fall on deaf ears.

It was a busy Monday morning. The workload remains high after the weekend. Abhi was at his workstation processing transactions. It was that dreadful day when Abhi's psychological abuse started at the hand's of Bindra. Abhi was summoned to Bindra's cabin. Abhi noticed Bindra staring at his laptop. "Hi Abhi. Be seated," said Bindra. He continued, "I have been receiving complaints about you. You are not serious about your work. And also disturbing others when they work." Whatever Abhi was expecting, it was not this! This is a wild irrational allegation. He thought. Abhi didn't utter a word till now. Taking advantage of his silence, Bindra continued, "I know that you and your friends have made your own group and talking against me.

The consequences won't be pleasant. Mind you." Abhi wondered, "This means someone from us is an informer! One who feigns friendship but actually is betraying our every words and action to Bindra. Who could it be?" Abhi thought to himself, "The bastard is simply bent on harassing me, that's it." Abhi said humbly, "No sir, I work sincerely and how can I disturb others when there is so much work to do." But Sumit Bindra is one big devil who shall prove his point even if they are unfounded. Rather he said, "There are specific people who have complained about you. I have the names. It's your team leader Suprakask, Mr. Mitra and Shruti. Look, either follow the work protocol or just fuck off!" Abhi was totally flabbergasted that day. How can one use such profane language in a professional environment! Abhi like a fool said, "OK sir, I shall be careful next time." Thinking his diffidence shall make Bindra see reason. Fuck! Characters like Bindra enjoyed resorting to such harassment for misusing his influence and designation beyond his legitimate authority. Later, Abhi clarified with the people whose names were mentioned by Bindra. They informed Abhi that they have no issues with his work. So Bindra did it deliberately, bastard!

It was now six months of service at JVS. Appraisals were due. Obviously Abhi, Aditya and Anshita were given a below average grade. Despite over achieving targets, they failed to impress the corrupt management. The new operations manager, Gaurav Gopi, is a mere puppet and is equally corrupt. He was just an eye-wash for the associates to make them believe that there is fairness in the system! The lion's share of the increments went to Savita who was promoted as a TL. And the most undeserving Saunak and Mita who remained absconding from JVS for over a month without any intimation were saved by Bindra. Saunak and Mita were on the verge of being thrown out of JVS by Jayjiv, the backend operations head, the only honest man at JVS. But Bindra came to the rescue of Saunak as well as Mita. Not only that, Saunak was made TL and Mita assigned quality checks.

'Open forum' was a platform at JVS to articulate your grievances. Abhi, Anshita and Aditya thought that this would be the right opportunity to speak their hearts out. But little did they know that this open indictment against a big fish like Bindra would only exacerbate their situation. Hence, infuriated at this blatant and rampant discrimination, Abhi, Aditya and Anshita jointly for the first time, voiced their concerns before Gaurav Gopi at the open forum session. Abhi said, "Mr. Gopi, I have been trained for two projects simultaneously and am delivering well in both. My productivity and quality reports speaks loudly of my over achieving targets. Then why I was given a below average grade. This applies for them as well." Abhi indicated Aditya and Anshita. Aditya added, "People remaining absconding from office are given good ratings and are promoted. We are not even receiving a fair rating at the appraisals, forget the promotions! What is the justification for all this?" Gopi said, "I know you are delivering well. Next appraisal, I will make sure you get a fair rating. The current appraisal grade, though not satisfactory, shall help you all motivate, to work harder." Gopi actually had no genuine answer for such an unfair appraisal done. Having heard this crap, Abhi, Aditya and Anshita did not feel worth talking to a worm like Gopi anymore. They left.

Abhi is now disillusioned, frustrated and tired. There is nobody to listen to his true and honest concerns. Everyone at JVS is bloody self-centered and tainted. Abhi and his peers is victim of a corrupt and worthless management. It's very difficult to deal with scoundrels like Bindra. Abhi soon realized that Bindra are among those whose misconduct is hidden from most. His type will inflict psychological abuse and go to the extent of vindication when he is alone with his victims.

It is now two years Abhi joined JVS. Things have become from worse to worst. Subrata Bhattacharya, the big wig and the head of the utility project too had a complacent attitude. He has replaced Jayjiv and taken charge for almost a year now. Subrata is least bothered about employee welfare and satisfaction. Actually, he has been shifted from the IT department to this backend operation owing to his inefficiency. He, rather, shamelessly said to one of the associates that one can get a better appraisal grade at JVS if he has a good rapport with his immediate seniors. JVS is pretty open about it. Abhi soon got to know that associates having relatives working at JVS holding high positions would only benefit. That's why Saunak climbed up the corporate ladder so fast despite being absconding from JVS even before completing six months of probation period. It was found out later that Saunak was Bindra's close relative. And the same goes for Mita. She earned Bindra's blessings as she was bedding him regularly. The HR has decided to remain deaf and dumb despite receiving infinite complaints from aggrieved associates. On the contrary, the HR lady left no stone unturned to flaunt the never practiced JVS values. These values are transparency, integrity and respect for an individual. What a joke!

Abhi, Aditya and Anshita learned a harsh lesson from their mistakes. Trusting anyone at the corporate jungle is nothing but idiocy. Pooja was Anshita's most close peer. Anshita confided her anger and frustrations in Pooja. The clever little bitch vomited the same before Bindra. Pooja is now the new TL of the utility project. Abhi and his group gained nothing but tears at JVS. They were too emotional. Emotions don't work at the corporate battlefield. It was too late for Abhi, Aditya and Anshita to realize that the bastard Bindra had secretly damaged their reputation, self-esteem, confidence level and had built a false but credible case to blame them for something they haven't committed.

Abhi, Aditya and Anshita decided to resign. Yes, that is the only solution. JVS Corporation stinks and reeks of corruption. At JVS, the one who slog is more often the aggrieved, exploited and maltreated. To win, one has to be a smart worker rather than a hard worker. You have to quickly outsmart your peers, lie and manipulate to get the fruits of success. But this is not acceptable for honest souls. Hence, Abhi, Aditya and Anshita left the job. It's not worth it. Abhi was a post-graduate in mass communication and landed a job as a content writer. He is happy to quit JVS. He is now working with Lotus Communications and among clean, honest superiors to guide him. Lotus Communications is free of bias. No back-door promotions. They respect genuine hard work instead of power, position and relations held with seniors in the organization. Aditya and Anshita are preparing for competitive examinations. Ina year's time, Aditya backed a job in a public sector corporation. But Anshita is still to find one...