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Mayank Rautela | Answer |Ask -Follow

HR Expert - Answered on Aug 17, 2021

Mayank Rautela is the group chief human resources officer at Apollo Hospitals.
A management graduate from the Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies with a master's degree in labour laws from Pune University, Rautela has over 20 years of experience in general management, strategic human resources, global mergers and integrations and change management.... more

Question by Kanchi on Aug 17, 2021Hindi

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Dear Sir
I am a housewife, not a working woman, facing work from home problems.
In my family, my husband and my son are working from home. My daughter is in college and has online classes and projects.
Between them, they occupy the hall and the bedroom.
They don’t want noise and when there are video calls, one can’t even step into the room.
I want to support them, but it is very frustrating. I am stuck in the kitchen. And everyone wants so much tea and coffee.
Everyone says their work is important, but I work too doing all the housework and I have no way to relax. The TV is taken up in the evening and night by my husband and son.
Shouldn’t companies have work from home policies for the family too?
How do I make them understand I need a break too?
Thank you.
Kanchi

Ans:

Hi Kanchi,

You need to put your foot down and make your family realise your value.

You are clearly being taken for granted. Have a candid chat with them and I am sure they will understand.

A job provides financial support but the lady of the house provides much-needed emotional support and the comfort needed so that people can do their jobs without worrying about anything.

You can also look at options of your family members working from their friend's place or you stepping out to your friend's place.

Teach them how to make their own tea and coffee.

Don't worry, offices are opening up and soon all of them will be back to work or college.

CareerReply

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HR Expert - Answered on Aug 17, 2021

Question by Vikas - Aug 17, 2021Hindi

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Dear SirIn these difficult times, I understand one must be grateful to have a job.I have your earlier columns where you have mentioned this.As you know, it is been 16-17 months since WFH started.At first it seemed good, especially since one did not have to travel.But now, after so many months, with parents and young kids and the wife’s demands, it is becoming difficult to concentrate and deliver results. In office, there are no such distractions.Many of my colleagues are facing the same problem because, like me, they have small houses.I tried working at a nearby cafe, but it upsets my family very much and causes increased tension at home.I understand the office’s side as well, but many of us are facing this problem.How do we raise such an issue with the management?Please help.Vikas

Ans:

Hi Vikas.

I am sure your management is aware of the issues related to work from home. But you must have a one on one discussion with your manager so that she/he is aware of your personal challenges.

At the same time explain to your family the importance of having a job and request them to be more accommodating.

With the vaccination drive picking up, most offices have started opening and the rest will open soon.

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HR Expert - Answered on Feb 24, 2021

Question by Sunita - Feb 24, 2021Hindi

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Hello Sir,Many people seem to enjoy this new work from home routine but I find it very difficult.My name is Sunita, I am 32 and have two young children.I work for a small company.Earlier, when we went to office, work ended when we left the office unless there was an emergency. But now, work does not end.Work output has increased but the boss is not trusting that we are working.Our salary has been cut so financially too it is difficult.How do we deal with all this stress? Getting a new job is not easy now.Thank you for your help.Sunita

Ans:

Hi Sunita.

The best way to manage the stress is to consider yourself fortunate that your organisation has continued with your employment.

I’m sure you understand that the current economic scenario has not yet picked up and the job market is tough.

As far as your manager is concerned, set clear expectations with her/him at the beginning of the week/day.

Send her/him your task list and then an update at the end of the day/week.

Communicate through email so that it is well documented and there is no ambiguity.

You can also do some breathing exercises and ensure your diet is healthy to manage your stress levels.

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HR Expert - Answered on Aug 24, 2022

Question by Anonymous - Aug 24, 2022Hindi

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Dear Mayank, I have a personal problem that is affecting my work. Please don’t reveal my name. My wife and I are facing problems. We start fighting in the morning itself. We live with my parents so they get into it too and everything just escalates because they support me. I reach office in a bad mood and am impatient with my juniors because of that. In meetings, I sometimes zone out thinking about my problems. I know it should not affect my work but it is. My wife and I are trying to work things out. For personal reasons, we have to live with my parents. I am thinking of asking for a transfer so that I can live alone for some time but that will mean moving out of the head office and handling lesser responsibilities which I don’t want to do. I would like to be able to separate my home and work so that I perform effectively in the office. I really enjoy my job and work in a good company. How can I get out of this mess and be a good employee? Thank you.

Ans:

Hi.

I think you know the solution to your problems.

There’s one tip I can give you -- explore your hobbies or get into sports; this will give you balance and not let unnecessary issues bother you.

I would also like to caution you that if you don’t stop this behaviour at work, your company will initiate necessary action against you and that will impact your career adversely.

So separate personal problems from work and be a good manager and employee.

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Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Sep 28, 2022

Question by PS - Sep 28, 2022Hindi

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Dear Anu, I am a housewife with two kids, younger one is 3 years old. I used to be working before the birth of my second child. I can't join back the job as we are nuclear family and husband is busy whole day with his work. I have to take care of the house and kids almost full day. Sometimes I’m frustrated and irritated. I gave talked about this to my husband but not much respite. He says 'I’m doing my job to earn. You do your job to look after house.' Don't know what to do.

Ans:

Dear PS,

Typical nuclear family with very little family support relies solely on the mother being the caregiver and this can result in a lot of frustrations. Understood!

But what exactly are you trying to do fighting the situation knowing that things might be the same for a few years down the line till the children grow a little older? Are you planning on being frustrated for all these years?

Also, someone needs to give your husband a talk on these gender specific remarks and pushing the job of the home to you.

Maybe he didn’t mean it the way it sounded, but well…

In the digital world, there is enough and more to do to use the skills that a person has. So why not explore, a work-from-home part time option?

Depending on what your expertise is and the time that you can give to the work from home option, why don’t you focus on searching for this?

This will require an amazing time management and organization skills on your part, so you are able to give it at least 3-4 hours a day.

This will not only keep you occupied and financially stronger, it will also give you a sense of direction and purpose which is what is currently lacking.

Also, if you have an option of a ‘nanny’ for even two hours during the day when the children can be kept busy, you can even have some time for yourself which will re-energize you.

Caring for two small children is no mean feat and make sure when you discuss the work-from-home option (If you choose this), with your husband, you emphasize how important it is for you along with managing the home.

The commitment ‘to do something for yourself’ will be the focus of your discussion and please do something before your frustrations start seeping out and get onto the kids which might eventually happen.

First, be happy yourself to nurture your home and family.

Step Up…All the best!

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