Dear Sudhir I am short of words to express my awe and respect for you. the way you tackle life is surely inspiring for all. I think we in public sector are blessed/cursed into inertia.
-----Original Message----- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Sudhir R (NeSTIT) Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2012 12:10 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Comparing Apples with Apples Hi folks, Interesting to read about the mixed experiences of visually challenged friends from different domains. Would like to contribute my own experience in this matter, for whatever it is worth. At least, someone else can learn from the many mistakes I made, you know. I should say I bucked the general trend of visually challenged persons in India, by moving out from the relative safety of the diversified public sector company, where I was working before going blind, to a private sector software company, after losing sight. The reasons for this contrarian trend were many, but, not topical to this discussion. This change of domain (from engineering consultancy to software) and sector occurred at the wrong age, viz. when I was 40. Given the Indian demographics, anyone above the age of 35 is at a serious disadvantage, especially while switching industries (unless, of course, one has the stamp of top-notch B schools / technical institutes in one's CV.) Disability really skewed the pitch for me when I started hunting for another job. In spite of a good academic record and 16 years of cross-functional experience, the CEOs I personally called on were politely apologetic. They did not have an opening for a blind guy in their scheme of things. The company I finally joined after 8 months of desperate hunt does not profess to any pretensions of being an "equal opportunity employer", in spite of the fact that a couple of my colleagues are hearing challenged. And, I still am not sure why the MD of this company decided to take a gamble with a blind guy, especially for a hot seat like business development. Whatever motivated the gentleman is besides the point. Suffice to say I needed a job badly and I got a job. But, coming from a public sector background and seriously disadvantaged by disablement and reluctance to relocate out of Kochi, I did not have any negotiating leverage and had to accept the package offered to me. However, in the process, I discovered that I had lost, relatively speaking, on seniority, designation and compensation. My bosses and colleagues were kind and helpful, but, they had no clue what a blind guy was going to do as a business development manager. Especially, since they knew I was a greenhorn as far as IT was concerned and couldn't tell a client apart from a server. (smile) Now, I have been in the company for 7 years. Thanks entirely to Divine Grace, I have been able to prove my mettle, both on back-end activities like prospecting, cold-calling, proposal preparation, etc and on front-end roles like client presentations, negotiations and account management. It has been an amusing experience to observe the sense of shock and surprise of clients when they finally discover they have been all along talking on the phone / exchanging mails with a blind guy. (smile) I have also been handling assignments pertaining to my other specializations, viz. corporate planning and training. As my responsibilities grew, there was a correction in my seniority, designation and compensation. However, the software industry is more dynamic than the manufacturing sector I had been working with, and, I discovered, much like Alice in Wonderland, that one had to keep running fast merely to remain at the same place. This is an industry characterized by attrition and lateral movement and, somehow, resources with transfer value tend to get better appraisals than resources showing loyalty. The company tends to assume that a resource with a physical disability is not gonna move out and this seriously hampers competitive appraisals with respect to peers. Finally, late last year, I had to put in my papers. This was a genuine move as I had come to the conclusion that the work pressure was beginning to affect my health and work-life balance and I had decided to move on to teaching / training and freelance writing. However, the company came out with a retention package that was quite gratifying and I decided to continue. Btw, I now head the Business Development Group, a fact I find at once ego-boosting yet quite challenging, considering the US slowdown and European sovereign debt crisis impacting IT spending of client companies. To draw conclusions from this longish auto-bio, here's what I would advise my younger colleagues, especially in IT / BPO sectors : a) The private sector is only bottom-line driven. Whatever lip service the company may pay to CSR / equal opportunity employment is only a brand-building exercise aimed at getting publicity. b) Private employers tend to look at the disabled as a cheap and loyal source of resources. If one does not have a negotiating leverage (such as sterling qualifications, certifications, technology competence, etc) one is likely to be taken for a ride. (Remember how it was reported on AI a few years back that one of the leading MNC "equal opportunity employers" was keeping some of its disabled employees as contract resources for long periods. c) Having said this, private sector respects the "TINA" (There Is No Alternative) factor of an employee. An employee who has built up his TINA factor well is treated fairly, whether he is disabled or not. Building up the TINA factor is strenuous, yes. But, it can be a learning experience, boosting our own self-confidence in the process. d) Private sector is a jungle where unexpected dangers are waiting to pounce on. Opt for the public sector where one gets the benefits of equity, common appraisal processes with norms for promotions and hikes, job security, pensions etc. Finally, this makes for better quality of life. However weak, one has the protection of the PWD Act, CCPD, the Courts etc. Sorry if my long narrative bored you. I have been asked many times to share my experience since it is somewhat unique and in a functional area (marketing) where visually challenged are not represented and hence this exercise. Curious to know your views / experiences, esp in the private sector. Thanks and rgds R Sudhir M: 098 472 76 126 Face Book : Sudhir R Shenoy (sudhir.ko...@gmail.com) -----Original Message----- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Zujar Shabbir Kanchwala Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 11:06 AM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Comparing Apples with Apples Hi, I am part of a great team where my disability doesn't find a place in my appraisal discussions and performance ratings. However the online tranings are inaccessible and nothing much is happening about it on an organizational level. On the other hand, I am assigned most difficult tasks these days and am being constantly asked to mentor other team members and delegate work to them to make them more efficient. I was also awarded the "Best Performer 2011" trophy last month along with two other team members. On 1/11/12, Pankaj Kwatra <pankaj.kwa...@tecnovate.co.in> wrote: > Hello All, > > Disability is certain factor in work , salary , promotion in India > aPWD's are not treated equally with some exceptions. I have come across > many people who cannot even think of blind person working on computer , > you can call it lack of awareness. > > Hiring a disabled is just fulfilling obligation , mercy or social > responsibility. > > Cheers, > > Pankaj Kwatra > > -----Original Message----- > From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in > [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Asudani, > Rajesh > Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 10:13 AM > To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in > Subject: Re: [AI] Comparing Apples with Apples > > If they don't know of your disability and you did not need any > differential ways/things for your work, then I have to say that you are > not qualified to answer the question of job appraisals for disabled > employees, as the situation is inapplicable to you... > > Disability surely is a relevant factor in job appraisals, that's all I > can say for now... > > > -----Original Message----- > From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in > [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Zeba Naaz > Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 7:49 PM > To: Mujtaba Merchant; accessindia@accessindia.org.in > Subject: Re: [AI] Comparing Apples with Apples > > well Mujtaba, > in my case i am the only vi person who is working in my company i am > working as an account manager into US staffing, so as well as i > didnt face any kind of discrimination and most of the people doesnt > know about my disability i am partial so i use to do my work very > normally and for appraisal we all get the appraisal on our > performance not on our disability ... > > On 1/10/12, Mujtaba Merchant <mujta...@gmail.com> wrote: >> Hello Members, >> >> Here today I bring in another debateable topic of discussion to the > group. >> >> I understand getting a job as a visually impaired person is a > challenge in >> it self. Those of us who make it through have some sense of > acccomplishment. >> Once in the job other factors come into play mainly for the sake of > this >> discussion I would like to address "Performance Rating". >> >> I would like the members who are already employed to shed some light > on this >> subject. How is your performance measured? Are you compared to the > rest of >> your team which comprises of sighted people? OR is there a mix of it? > or do >> they have some other way of rating your performance? Are they > comparing >> apples with apples when it comes to performance rating? Does your > disability >> come in the way of appraisals or promotions? >> >> I assume that there is no solid answer to any of these questions. But > it >> will help in getting some clarity on the subject from our community > members >> who are already employed and on the job. Do share your views on this > please. >> >> Mujtaba Merchant >> Bangalore, India >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to >> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >> with the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, > please >> visit the list home page at >> > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.i > n >> >> > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, > please visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.i > n > > > Notice: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential > and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they > are addressed. 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The Reserve Bank of India > accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by > this email. > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, > please visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.i > n > > ...................................................................... > ************************************************************************ **************** > This e-mail message may contain confidential, proprietary or legally > privileged information. It should not be used by anyone who is not the > original intended recipient. If you have erroneously received this message, > please delete it immediately and notify the sender. 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Before > opening any attachments please check them for viruses and defects. > ************************************************************************ **************** > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please > visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.i n > > -- Best Regards, Zujar... An optimist laughs to forget, whereas a pessimist forgets to laugh! Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.i n Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Notice: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, use, review, distribution, printing or copying of the information contained in this e-mail message and/or attachments to it are strictly prohibited. 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