To counter layoffs and salary cuts, IT companies organise inter-IT sports events

TO COPE with the layoffs and salary cuts taking a toll on the mental health of techies, IT companies in the city have came together to organise sports events for their employees.

Sambit Mohapatra, a software consultant working for Capgemini, is in a state of daze after a hectic work schedule. So, like thousands of other stressed-out youngster, he participated in the Sixth Inter-IT Cricket Championship held recently.

"The fear of layoffs and salary cuts have taken a heavy toll on our body and mind. Stress at the work place worsens it further," Sambit said, who now makes it a habit to play cricket on Saturdays and Sundays.
 
"The effect is immediate. Two-and-half hours of cricket relaxes your body and mind. This refurbishes my energy levels and I am fresh for on Mondays," he added.

For those who prefer a more active form of stress-busting, there's an ever mushrooming choice of games like hockey and football.

"There are times when I thought I would not pull through. The business itself is aggressive and deadlines are hard. There is pressure, both from junior and senior employees.

Playing football at weekends helps me to maintain my calm," Oceans Connect Sports Coordinator Jaison D'Souza said.

Most IT firms have late hour shifts, where employees say it adds to stress. Others say peer and family pressures are also major factors.

Ryan Scott, eClerx Services process manager, said, "For me, I have to take care of my parents and also compete with my colleagues."

Ashwin Panhalkar, chief organiser of the tournament and Logistics Executive EXL, pointed out that with young software professionals staying away from their families, they feel a need for sharing. Sports is a good forum to build relations and friendship.

According to Sungard Software Business Analyst Parag Samant, most out-of- station techies have a poor social life. "Telephone and Internet are the only means to interact with their families. They feel lonely and yearn for friends.

Games on weekends is a great experience as it relaxes us. It also brings us closer to not only  our company members, but also others," he said.

There are more than 1,000 IT and ITES companies with around 1.2 lakh employees in Pune. Most of them have to work at night due to time difference with the United States and other European countries.

Pune's software exports are in the area of Rs 14,000 crore as of March 31, 2007 overtaking Mumbai's exports. The city accounts for more than 11 per cent of India's software exports.