EVICTION

Ramanan was perturbed. His team and he were very disturbed with their boss, Venkat who they perceived was no less than a tyrant. Something very recent had happened that had aggravated the entire team. The boss had taken full credit for an innovative idea that was generated by three members of the team. The team was highly annoyed with this action.

“It’s really difficult to put up with him. Remember what happened last week” said Rohan, a colleague.

“Yes, he really lashed out at Rohit in front of everyone. The poor chap was so demoralized. He almost cried,” said Ramanan.

“He thinks he is very smart but unfortunately he goes way too far,” continued Ramanan.

The rest of the team murmured their dissatisfaction with the boss. Nobody was happy with him.

“This place would be so much so more peaceful without him,” said Ramanan to which the entire team agreed with a loud “We second that,” in unison…

“I guess next time there is a 360 degree feedback, we‘ll take care of him,” said Rohan.

“I don’t know how much that will help. We’ll have to do something else. I have a plan but I can’t reveal it immediately. I need all of you to do exactly as I say. Is that all right?” said Ramanan.

The team shouted out their consent – “Golly, yes!”

Ramanan smiled, “All right, here we come, Mr Venkat…”

Rajiv, who was the boss of Venkat was surprised to receive a call on Saturday morning from one of Venkat’s team members.

“How is it, Ramanan that you chose to call me today, considering Saturdays are holidays?” Rajiv said, surprised.

“Actually, sir, we were just wondering whether Mr Venkat is in a meeting with you. He has not come to office today and we were wondering where he is,” said Ramanan.

“But, why should he come to office on a Saturday,” asked Rajiv, even more surprised.

“Oh, don’t you know Sir, Mr Venkat always comes on Saturdays also to hold special training programs for us,” said Ramanan.

“I did not know that,“ said Rajiv.

“Oh! Sorry to trouble you. Thank you very much,” said Ramanan as he kept down the phone and winked at Rohan who was standing next to him.

“Now Mr Rajiv will know we are overworked,” said Rohan elated. That’s the first nail in his coffin.

“That was your ploy, Ramanan, wasn’t it,” exclaimed Rohan.

Ramanan just smiled mysteriously.

A week later, as Ramanan entered the office hall, he bumped into Rohan who happened to see Ramanan carrying a pass to an exclusive dance ball in town.

“I see you like attending balls,” said Rohan.

“Oh, this pass is not for me,” said Ramanan as he smiled at Rohan.
“This is for Mr. Rajiv,”

“Ah!” exclaimed Rohan.
“You want to get into his good books.”

“Not really,” said Ramanan.
“Just wait and see.”

Venkat was surprised. He had just received a call from his boss Rajiv who thanked him for the lovely time he had along with his wife at the ball. Although at that time, Venkat had not said anything, he was a bit nonplussed. However, he shook it aside and did not assign much weight to his boss’s words.

“Boy, Mr. Venkat must have been in an awkward situation when Mr. Rajiv must have called to thank him for the pass to the ball. You do have a devious mind,” said Rohan to Ramanan as they were having lunch in the office canteen.

“I agree with you. I do have a devious mind,” said Ramanan and smiled at Rohan.

About a month later, Ramanan approached Rohit, his team member who was also incidentally the system administrator for the office.

“Rohit, I needed to speak with you. Remember, the time Mr. Venkat had lashed out at you. This is an opportunity for you to get back at him,” said Ramanan.

“Oh! That sounds good. What do I have to do?” asked Rohit.

“Nothing much, just reset his computer email password after we hack in. I need to send a mail on his behalf. Yesterday, I happened to go over to his room and happened to see him type his password. This is going to be fun,” said Ramanan.

“That’s simple, here goes” said Rohit excited as he fiddled with his system.

15 minutes later, the mail was sent and the password was reset. Rohit sent a mail to Venkat telling him that his password was reset due to technical reasons.

“I did not understand why you sent a mail to Mr. Rajiv from Mr. Venkat’s id congratulating him on acquiring a new car. Are you trying to make Mr. Rajiv feel that Mr. Venkat is buttering him all of which can go against him” said Rohit .

“Maybe,” said Ramanan.
“But then again, maybe not…” smiled Ramanan.

Finally, it was appraisal day. The team sat huddled together discussing how they would rate their boss in this 360 degree feedback.

“Let us give him an ‘F’ in all areas,” said Rohan.
“That will make our dissatisfaction clear to Mr. Rajiv.”

Ramanan was smiling.

“Give me your appraisal forms and let me handle it,” said Ramanan.

A week later the team was discussing the implications of a mail received by all of them from Mr. Rajiv announcing a meeting.

The team was excited.

“I bet he wants to discuss the bad appraisal we gave Mr. Venkat. This is going to be good,” said Rohan, smiling.

As the meeting commenced, the team was all smiles. Rajiv said that he had an announcement to make.

“After observation of the last three months and also your appraisal, I would like to announce that Mr Venkat will no longer be your boss,” began Rajiv.

The team excitedly looked at Ramanan who was smiling broadly.

“Based on everything, I have decided to promote Mr. Venkat as General Manager and shift him to the Delhi office. This is based on several factors including the strong appraisal that you have given him,” announced Rajiv as he patted a beaming Venkat on the back as he left the room.

The team was stunned and happy. Ramanan was all smiles.

As Ramanan, Rohan, Rohit and the rest of the team celebrated over some drinks in the office itself, Rohan punched Ramanan lightly, “You Devil, you set Mr. Venkat up to get promoted and in the process go far away from us.”

Ramanan laughed loudly.

“It was the only way,” he said.

“I guess this is one of those rare moments when a team has managed to get rid of their boss albeit by getting him promoted,” said Rohit happily.

“It is also one of those rare moments when a team can have hard drinks in the office itself,” smiled Ramanan.

By Vikas and Me