THE AFTER COVID EFFECT

New game, new rules, new players

The CEO looked at the exuberant gathering with a fatherly eye. It was the first day in office after nearly three months of working from home. If the health restrictions were not still in place, he was sure there would have been group hugs and dancing. Already some masks were out of place as they interfered with hearty catching-up and laughter.

At his suggestion, Shukla, a senior member of his team took position at the head of the group, safely away from the CEO and the rest of the group. As Shukla started speaking, the CEO looked at the faces before him.

All of them looked happy, expectant. The CEO wondered how many of them would have been happy to continue working from home. And how many he would have to instruct to do just that.

The MD had already told the CEO that they must move to a smaller office. What he did not spell out is that they would need also need to downsize. But the CEO had got the message.

Just then, Shukla mentioned something funny and the CEO joined the laughter. He turned his attention to the speaker. Shukla was very senior, older than the CEO. He was generally accepted as the boss when the CEO was not around.

But the CEO was disappointed. His “right hand” had not set a great example during the whole WFH phase. Shukla hardly took the initiative to organize the daily webinar. He found some excuse or the other to skip or remained on mute most often. It was as if he was too busy (or comfortable?) at home to work from there. The CEO wondered if Shukla would be able to fit in when the rebooted scheme of things fell into place. Would he have to let Shukla go?

Then the CEO’s eyes fell on Ramesh. Young and enthusiastic but severely handicapped by his inadequate grasp of English. But he had completed several online courses during the lockdown. English conversation and writing, office management and a suite of software that the office used every day. Ramesh was crowned Champion of the Team during one of the webinars. Maybe Ramesh deserved a promotion and a more responsible role.

Anita was missing. She had to rush to Mangalore just before the lockdown to take care of her aged parents. She had moved to the city only because of the job. Now, it was doubtful if she would come back. She had not given any indication of her plans during the webinars. In fact, she was one of those who put in the regular amount of work, even when not in office. Now she might look for a job in Mangalore. Unless, the CEO thought, he could offer her the option to continue working from home, protect her compensation. The CEO resolved to speak to her that very day.

But all that would have to wait until he finished his meeting with the MD. The CEO expected a morale-boosting conversation, an offer of unconditional support. However, he also felt a little uneasy. He wondered when he had last updated his personal profile. Maybe it was time to catch up with his friend, the recruitment consultant.