New Timings For Techies To Watch Ind-Pak Tie
If we make them work during the match, some of them may not give their 100 per cent. So it’s better to have this timing.
India’s looming semifinal clash against Pakistan in the World Cup has just about everyone in the city on tenterhooks. Employees of multi-national companies are firming up plans to ensure they do not miss a single ball. And, rather than have its employees call in ‘sick’, a tech company has changed its working hours to enable employees catch the action live from Mohali, without having to worry about losing a day’s leave.
City-based Ignis Group, which deals in IT products, has sent out a circular allowing employees to begin work at 7 am and leave at 2.30 pm on March 30, the day of India’s semifinal clash. The group has more than 300 personnel. Nihar Samantara, chairman of Ignis Group, said: “The circular has already been sent to all our centres. Employees can start their day at 7 am and can leave at 2.30 pm.”
Samantara, who is himself a cricket fan, explained that an India-Pakistan match was high voltage stuff and not to be missed.
“It’s the mother of all battles,” Nihar said. “Ever since India’s victory over Australia in the quarterfinals, we noticed there was plenty of excitement and interest among our employees about the semifinal match. If we make them work during the match, some of them may not give their 100 per cent. So it’s better to have this timing. Moreover, our employees have brought laurels to the company on many occasions in the past. I think they deserve to watch the match in peace. It’s a gift from the company.”
Suresh Mishra, manager of a consultancy firm in Nehru Place has declared a half-day on Wednesday. More than a generous gesture, it is a smart business move. “If I ask all my employees for a full day’s work on a day when India is set to battle Pakistan in the World Cup semi-final, no one will show up. I might as well get half a day’s work from them than risk most of them not showing up. At least this way everyone’s happy and even I get to watch the match,” explained Mishra.
Several other private sector companies have also made arrangements, such as allowing employees to watch matches in the cafeteria, for employees to watch matches. Bangalore Mirror spoke to some employees of other MNCs such as Microsoft, IBM and Yahoo. An employee of Microsoft, said: “Although there is no official circular, generally bosses are not all that strict on match days. We even enjoyed the last match between India-Australia. Unless there is an emergency, bosses don’t have a problem with us watching matches in the cafeteria.” IT employees of other companies said they have the option of working from home and that they would use that option.
Source: Bangalore Mirror ; Times of India
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