Till about a couple of years ago BPO jobs were considered to be hot
property. But then misgivings surfaced about the stress involved, the
safety factor, undesirable habits and lifestyles, and a host of other
fears. Call center and outsourcing jobs suddenly did not seem lucrative
anymore in spite of comfortable pay packets.

Deeksha Singh, Managing Partner, WCH solutions – a corporate training
and consulting firm, says, “There are positives and negatives associated
with all industries, but what catches attention unfortunately is the
negatives.”

Common Worries include,

• Monotonous jobs
• BPO jobs are not women friendly
• A dead end industry without a future
• Danger of being enticed into bad habits
• Increase in health problems
• Limited career opportunities especially for professionals

Dispel the Fear

• “The bottom line for most jobs is the same, doing the same kind of
  work day in and day out unless you are an astronaut or a detective,”
  says Renu Varma who has been working in call centre for the past two
  years. “If you take an interest in your job, there is no scope for
  monotony.”
• Industry estimates suggest the percentage of women employees to be in
  the range of 60-65. Deeksha says, “Several companies have adopted
  measures like choice of day shifts, day care facilities for children, to
  provide women employees’ comfortable working conditions. While traveling
  to work, taking basic precautions like being dropped first or taken in
  last ensures the safety factor too.”
• According to NASSCOM, the outsourcing industry is one of the largest
  employment creators in the world and the demand is expected to touch 1.1
  million in 2008 attesting to the development of the industry.
• “Many outsourcing companies have added counseling sessions, stress
  management sessions, yoga sessions to their work culture to arrest
  chances of bad habits in their employees. But it is also true that
  habits are personal choices and companies can only provide measures to
  cultivate healthy habits, they cannot force it down anyone’s throat,”
  opines Deeksha.
• “There is a real fear about health problems,” admits Renu, “but
  ultimately we are responsible for our health and if we take steps to
  embrace healthy habits, we can ensure good health for ourselves.”
• “A job in a BPO equips and empowers employees with essential career
  skill such as customer centricity, global communication, language
  enhancement and exposure to global best practices. These skills can be
  leveraged in a variety of roles within the service industry. There are a
  lot of industry professionals who have moved out of their professional
  careers and have become successful Consultants, Trainers, and Advisors
  etc,” asserts Deeksha.

The BPO industry provides many opportunities to make a bright career. It nurtures talent and promotes ambition. But there are inherent dangers and suitable care has to be exercised to sidestep these pitfalls. The sky is the limit for a talented and savvy BPO employee!

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