Returning to office was like getting oxygen back for DVS Advisors LLP founder

Divakar Vijayasarathy Founder and Managing Partner of DVS Advisors LLP's office is about 10 minutes drive from home and usually drives with his chauffer.

"However during the initial days of COVID I preferred to drive myself to work. Seeing barren roads during office hours was haunting, however post the first few rides you get used to accepting it," he says.

Vijayasarathy started work around July, post the severe lockdowns and were one of the few offices open in their building. "Entering hallowed pathways and empty elevators was quite an experience. Initially we stayed at office for just two to three hours a day just to break the monotony of being at home and have some interpersonal interactions to feel normal. We have an active sporting culture at work however, this had to be put on a complete pause which was a dampener," he says.


Stay safe
Standard protocols of wearing masks and constant sanitisation are adopted. "Further we have encouraged our team to have to sukku coffee (dried ginger without caffeine), tulsi and hot-water, atleast twice during their stay at work. This apart, members from hotspot areas, those with older parents at home are encouraged to work from home," he says.

Though their offices were shut, they all were working from home and post the initial few days, they actually got adept at being home. "The initial days were a bit different, in the sense, getting back to a routine, even getting to wear formals was unusual, but eventually yes, we got back to our routine with ease," he says.

Except for the first few weeks of adaptation, Vijayasarathy feels the present sense of flexibility has been a boon in disguise. "Getting our IT systems in place, re-allinging our client conversations digitally, ensuring connectivity and equipment for our staff at their homes and more importantly getting them to stay motivated during these uncertain times were some of the challenges. Further, financially we had challenges, with revenues completely drying up for nearly four months in a row, however we did not cut salaries or retrench staff," he says.

Work wise
At present the company has about 50-60 per cent of their team work from home while the rest come to office on a need-to basis. "Beyond a point, working from home, I personally feel, is a lot more demanding and strenuous than office," he says.

Styles of working differ so theres no specific advice Vijayasarathy can share in this regard. "However, the first step to normalcy requires some amount of courage as psychologically we are used to working from home and the fear of carrying the virus especially when we have elders at home need to be overcome. Once that barrier is broken its surprisingly fast to get back to routine," he says.

Relief with indifference is how Vijayasarathy describes his return to the office.

"After the lockdowns, getting back to office was more like getting oxygen back however given the empty corridors, barren roads and locked neighbours there was an uneasy calm for the initial few days," he ends.