Techies manage work, Anna campaign with elan

BANGALORE: Techies will log in extra hours every day and work on weekends to make up for leave taken for the Anna Hazare campaign, as well as participate in the next stage of the campaign set to begin three to four weeks from now.

Interestingly, their bosses have so far not asked them about having taken leave or a break from work, as the staffers have managed the work-activism balance well.

Anand Yadavad, software specialist and a member of India Against Corruption (IAC), got back to work after a hectic week at Freedom Park. "I had not taken leave at a stretch but I did so on and off. I'll log in an additional two to three hours every day and work on Saturdays for the next couple of months to compensate for time away from office."

Yadavad's boss has been positive about his activism. "Luckily, my boss too is interested in the movement and was part of it. I put in extra work to make up for lost time. In fact, my boss and colleagues congratulated me on the result." If the campaign gets intense in the weeks ahead to ensure the Lokpal bill is passed in Parliament, Yadavad plans to take time off. "I might even take leave without pay if the campaign requires it." Chander Pal, in a micro electronics firm, too is back at work. "I took leave on and off. I would log in the required hours for the day and work on the campaign two to three hours after work. I would spend lunch time at the cafeteria seeking participation from colleagues. It was the right informal setting to approach them for support."

"I made up for my leave working extra hours from home too. I plan to do the same in the next stage of the campaign - put in two hours extra at the workplace and work from home. I even rescheduled meetings if I was needed on a particular day for the campaign," says Pal. Pal's bosses, too, were positive about his activism. "I was appreciated by my colleagues. Bosses are comfortable as long as the company's professional goals are achieved and project deadlines are met." Shashank B L, who works for a German-based company also got his workactivism balance right. "I ensured all deadlines were met. I would go to Freedom Park after work and stay late. I would log in early, put in the required hours and may be a few extra, and then head for the campaign. I took a couple of days of casual leave."