Siva and Bala are cousins. They joined the same company
together when it just started operations. Unlike Bala, Siva joined without a
diploma and was sent to the production line while Bala was sent to maintenance
department. Siva, who was a meticulous and diligent worker, got himself
promoted to be in the maintenance department with Bala as his reporting officer.
The conflict came about when Siva’s promotion coincided with
the premature birth of his first child. The child had many medical
complications which required frequent visits to the doctor. Having Bala as his
superior, he took advantage of the situation and took many unofficial leave with
the excuse that the child’s condition is improving. Bala was understanding and knew
Siva was not lying, and did his best to cover up for him while advising him of
his responsibilities at work. However, he cannot cover up the mouths of the
other workers who have started to bad-mouth him. Bala started to advise Siva with
a firmer tone, this time asserting his authority which triggered an emotional
retaliation from Siva. Siva reminded Bala of their blood ties and emphasized
that he completes his work before leaving early, and it is not as if he was
leaving for an illegitimate reason.
Bala was stumped and
stuck between family relations and professional responsibilities. How could he
have handled the matter better?
Actually, I feel that Bala did the right thing, but perhaps he could have done it in a nicer tone. After the face-off with Siva, Bala could have told Siva the reason why he was doing this - the other workers badmouthing him. If Siva does not mind that, then Bala should not too, unless Siva was not being responsible in his tasks at work. But if Siva is, Bala should not worry about the badmouthing and instead try to persuade the other workers to see that Siva is not being irresponsible. If Siva does take the badmouthing to heart, he will do something about it, like take lesser leave.
ReplyDeleteIt is the role of a superior to be empathetic to his subordinates, with or without blood ties. I would not say that Siva took advantage of the situation. Rather, his situation permitted him to behave in such a manner. He had worked doubly hard to finish his work on time, and it is with legitimate reason that he had left early.
ReplyDeleteBala needs to pause and reflect. If this situation were to happen to another employee, would he have exercised his decision in the similar manner? If he would, then his actions is justified.
The next step Bala should take is to visit Siva. As the reporting officer(and Siva's cousin), he should empathize with Siva, and show Siva that he cares for the well-being of his family. At the same time, he could understand the dynamics of Siva's problem and 'check' on Siva.
Now that Bala has been reassured that Siva was not trying to moonlight, he is better equipped to answer the badmouthings of other workers. He should make it clear that if the situation were to happen to any one of the workers, he would have made similar concessions. :)
Siva must think of the fact what would he do if Bala was not his reporting officer? Siva must try to finish his work on time. Siva must also understand the fact that Bala's professional image in the company is being damaged because of him.
ReplyDeleteBala could try to convince the other workers that he would act in the same way regardless of the fact that Siva was his blood relation. Bala could also highlight Siva that he must try to strike a balance between profession and family.