Book Review : Work, Workers and Workplaces

The changing Indian Landscape is brought to the fore by the current book under review; a field of study – nay, an esoteric field of study that was hitherto, in my knowledge scope and awareness at least, a subject not paid any attention to in Indian Corporates. Thus, it was a complete surprise for me, and no less than an education, to read the ideas, cases and examples contained in this short book, simply titled : Work, Workers and Workplaces, by Parthajeet Sarma

Given that this is a new field to me – though I have heard of it quite often, the impulse for me is to protest and reject the ideas it contains. Having said that, my experience simultaneously tells me that there is a strong case for the ideas this book contains, and that the average Indian Worker and Workplace can use more than a little improvement in many areas. Doing so will admittedly have a strong positive impact on productivity and morale both.

THE BOOK

So what is the book about? Here, I would rather you find it out for yourself. I much prefer you take the same path of discovery that I took, the learnings I engaged in. So, at this point – stop reading this review, and get the book; I mean that – it will kindle many, many ideas in your brain. Just to give you a brief idea – this book is about exactly what it says: Work, Workers, and Workplaces. How the nature of work itself  {the task you do, how you do them} is changing; attitudes towards work of - and nature  - of workers is altering, as are habits; and how workplaces, which are still static in themselves, by and large, can change, or are changing {with some excellent real examples of change}. If you are a manager in an organization, these are the questions that are of central importance, making this a must read…

THE ANALYSIS

When a book breaks fresh ground, when it explores Greenfield areas – no criticism should be made; any criticism cannot be fully warranted, given the Greenfield nature of the concepts. So, I will keep my negative perception to one side – being 17.5 years in the old school workplace, as well as realizing that change is upon  us, I would much rather contemplate on the contents. So, to be honest, thougth not fully convinced, even a confirmed old-schooler like me is amenable to the ideas this book contains.

I was drawn to this book precisely as a result of this realization, or grudging acceptance, that work is changing, when in the course of my work the Coffee House became more and more common, when rigidity, norms and rules in the offices  started giving way to new thoughts, flexibility and new focus on divergent thoughts. That is why when I noticed this on Linkedin, I went in for it, deciding to review it.  As I went through its concepts, to be fair, some of my questions were answered; other questions remain, some considerably weakened, some stronger.

That said, one thing is sure – change is upon us. We can no longer continue to expect the same worker, work or workplace. That is for sure, certain. What questions remain in my mind? Several; perhaps nothing stronger than control, supervision, focus, direction of the work implementation. This calls for a very strong foundational skill-set in people management, functional skills  as well as a strong  commitment-based and positive work culture.  Don’t we need to look at the inherent skill-sets & work-culture before we look at changing the workplace?  Or will the change go hand-in-hand?

Sure, work is changing; the book acknowledges that. Its calls are spot-on. Sure, workers are also changing, correct in that analysis. That is where the book impressed me the most –it recognizes that changes you make ought to be in keeping with underlying parameters; and gives strong examples in support of it, making it pretty much irrefutable. It also gives an example where such changes set off an adverse reaction – making the same point I do. And that is the strongest point of this book – it enables you to think, apply the concepts it contains, rich as it is with examples are well as implementation.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this is an excellent book that  imparts vital knowledge & kindles thoughts about the most vital aspect of our lives – work.  But more than all of the above, the book could have gone much deeper into this territory, examining the relationship between work-culture, work and workers itself, making for a deep foundational study.  Can the workplace change the worker, his attitude – as well as change the culture in an organization? Basis one example on Pg 43, it is tempting for me to say no; and yet – why cant I make this definitive decleration  with any confidence? I look forward to a response from the author to this fundamental query.