Workplace is where mule beats mare

I was once in a job that required working with people in other time zones.

- SUVEEN SINHA

On one occasion, I was required to visit the HQ, which was 9.5 hours behind us. The notice was short, and I did not have the visa. But my presence was required - or so I was told - because regional leads from across the world were coming together.

So I offered to join the session on a video call. From about nine in the evening, India time, I sat before a screen for six or seven hours. Munching on sandwiches and sipping on Diet Coke, I contributed to the discussion with short sentences (I hardly ever have much to say), occasional grunts, and a lot of nodding.

For the next few days, no meeting of the global team would be complete without a paean to your columnist's "endurance" and "commitment". I tried to tell them that at some point maybe they should start to appreciate me for qualities that had more to do with the mind, but no one was interested in that line. Which was pretty sad.

Honestly, I did not think much before offering to sit in front of the screen all night. It came naturally, given that I am a product of our country's work culture. We do what the boss wants us to. And we do not mind putting body and soul on the line.

Body on the line