TCS employee-Norway child row verdict shocks one and all - Are there lessons to be learnt?

The verdict in the TCS employee-Norway child row episode, leading to Chandrasekhar Vallabhaneni and his wife, Anupama's conviction, has shocked one and all beyond imagination. While Dataquest did predict this was what it was leading to, the implications are manifold and it is difficult to digest the further suffering that the children would continue to undergo.

There are ample lessons learnt the hard way as we look back at the happening, even though IT companies many a time do prepare you (employees) for the same through cross-cultural training and the works -

1. Don't jump with happiness when you get the news of being posted abroad by your company. Remember, despite the company risking your services, the risk is, in essence, all yours.

2. Either do not harbor expectations of aid from our Govt or your company OR do not get posted without confirmation from your company of getting paid services available at hand - legal aid, healthcare, psychiatrists, pyschologists and the entire list.

3. Then, if after all you have made the decision of going along and have reached there, always of course be in touch with your consul/embassy from Day 1.

4. And then, if you do decide to set up base there, do not bear/rear children abroad. If you have made the mistake of doing so, be prepared to bring them up in accordance of the laws in that country. That surely goes without saying.

5. Get friendly with a good translator, you are otherwise bound to be misunderstood, misinterpreted in court cases...specially, in a non-English speaking country where neither they understand your language and vice versa.

6. And lastly, definitely nurture friends in the Indian media industry and inform them before leaving. They are the ones who would rush to help even before trouble brews.

Clearly, the above advice is sure to stand you in good stead. Are Indian companies e-listening?