Europe -> R2I -> Return to Europe - your viewpoint

[Maganda]

Hello all,

I returned to India (Pune) last year from Switzerland - reasons for my return were the 'usual ones' - Parents,home country and also the so called strong indian economy / especially in I.T (major reason).

I was working back in Switzerland with a U.N agency and although the job was not a very exciting one (with a typical european job outlook),I enjoyed my stay there for 5 years with good financial gain and work culture.

I returned and picked up a wrong comapny to work for (I.T services company) - was put on bench for many months and then forced to go onsite to a country where even I could not take my family along - all for a few crumbs.

Now I contacted my ex-employer back in switzerland and they are again ready to take me back, of course at the same position which is a couple of levels below my current position in this indian company (not necessarily job content wise)

Now I am in a fix - should I go back (considering that It will be not easy to relocate again - leave parents again etc) or negotiate with my indian company,which they are ready to do

I am understand that job in U.N is not easy to find again - it happens only with strong connections.

I have had very bad experiences with my current comapny in India - lies and deceit are rules of the I.T outsourcing shops(my experience).

Please advise?
Maganda

[pnscas]

Just curious - How do you expect anyone to advice you on this personal matter? Even if someone did (as advice comes free), would it be worthy of any consideration?!

There are some things in life that you must decide yourself.

[ssppss]

Just curious - How do you expect anyone to advice you on this personal matter? Even if someone did (as advice comes free), would it be worthy of any consideration?!

There are some things in life that you must decide yourself.[/quote]

How is this gentleman's advice seeking any different than anyone elses? Don't discourage him.

OP:

I would suggest the following. Leave your current company and look for jobs in other companies in India. If you are ready to go out of India, then maybe you can go to some other Indian city as well. Maybe you can start a new company as well. If you move to Switzerland back, then coming back to India is exponentially harder.

ssppss

[anandr2i]

In my career, I have seen many people return back to the company they left.

There is nothing wrong in doing this. In fact it makes you a better informed person who has ventured out of the "well" and seen the world. In fact you come out stronger with a global outlook and a perspective of work several levels above your current role. How many of your peers have that advantage?
probably none.

Here are some facts
- Your current employer cannot give you swiss lifestyle in India

- Your current employer will not make life easy for you if the process and culture in the company has been running (in the eyes of your management) flawlessly.

- You can make the repeated effort to bring change the way you see it, but this will take time. Change never happens overnight. Overnight changes are ruthless, they are autocratic and most people dislike these. On the contrary, change is inevitable.

Swiss is a comfortable nook for you. You know it and you know how to live there. India is new for you.

You can do one of two things

- If you totally dislike India, go back to Swiss this will give you mental and emotional happiness. Emotional happiness is key, even if the job is not satisfying. If you are emotionally sound and with your new found experience in India you can break out of the mould that you are in (2-3 levels down) and you can strive to move up.

- If you like India and hate your job, seek a new job. When you seek a job, take time, evaluate the new role, use your learning experiences and then move. Do not ever burn bridges. Don't make a hasty move.

Good Luck!

my few cents.[/quote]


Well said and well written MeraNaseebR2I! At the end of the day what matters is emotional well-being and QUALITY of LIFE. Put another way, all that matters is what lifestyle you CHOOSE - living near parents accepting the hustle and bustle in India with bad employment situation and traffic etc, or coming back to your comfort zone and leading a more "quiet"er life albeit without mummy-papa. It is a TOUGH choice no doubt but nevertheless, one that must be made.

I have a situation to share in this regard - One of my close friends mom passed away recently and his aging father (70+) was alone in India. No other close relatives, his GC is yet to arrive, so he cannot even think of sponsoring his dad to come live with him. However him and his wife told him (ie the dad) that they will move back to India (along with a 18 month old). For that, the dad replied - why should you give up everything you have earned in the last 8-9 years to come live in India for my sake - I am old and have only a few years left - so I will manage as much as possible. In the end he pretty much said - you should live your life thinking abt the future, not the past.

Now he spends time between India and US and the couple have decided to live in US.

Really great words of wisdom from the father, but from the position of an only son, it is hard to digest that you can leave your dad behind alone in India and live your life here - that is just not what we Indians are accustomed to doing - which is what my friend is probably going through. I pray to God that there is a permanent way to bring him into the US of A so that they all can live happily in the US.

[Maganda]

Thanks everyone for your time and opinion.

[cnu]

If I were you, my first preference would be Parents [cos that time cannot be brought back I mean, spending time in Swiss is wasting my time without my parents]
Office atmosphere is unbearable -> I'm telling myself to be prepared for this kinda situations some do's and do'nts may be of interest to you:
dos:
* Do my job, and out I go :)
* If possible pick my boss who is in Europe or US [ helps avoding being spotted my office movements :D ]
* If not possible, boss is God until u find ur next employer
* Acknowledge pay is going to be less, so will will be the expenses [I may be wrong here]
don'ts
* Not to compare how the colleague in next cube is prospering/ (|) lickin [I think we can expect this there]
* I will not compare outside life with the local life style [eg: wont reply favorably to my colleague how quality of life is better outside]


Or even better spend quality time with parents move back to Europe earn during summer and spend time in India during winters [helps in avoding harsh European winters]

-- This is not an advise, probably what I'd do

[KRV]

I have a situation to share in this regard - One of my close friends mom passed away recently and his aging father (70+) was alone in India. No other close relatives, his GC is yet to arrive, so he cannot even think of sponsoring his dad to come live with him. However him and his wife told him (ie the dad) that they will move back to India (along with a 18 month old). For that, the dad replied - why should you give up everything you have earned in the last 8-9 years to come live in India for my sake - I am old and have only a few years left - so I will manage as much as possible. In the end he pretty much said - you should live your life thinking abt the future, not the past.

Now he spends time between India and US and the couple have decided to live in US.

Really great words of wisdom from the father, but from the position of an only son, it is hard to digest that you can leave your dad behind alone in India and live your life here - that is just not what we Indians are accustomed to doing - which is what my friend is probably going through. I pray to God that there is a permanent way to bring him into the US of A so that they all can live happily in the US.

True. However, remember that 90+% of parents will say this. They always want their children to do well and do not want their sons/daughters to make sacrifices for their sake. The above example just illustrates the caring, loving nature of this father but what about reciprocal feelings from son/daughter? If OP chooses to stay back, he would be acting on those reciprocal feelings that his parents have. Once you cross a certain financial or career threshold, many feel that any further gains are marginal ("law of diminishing return"), but even a modest gain in an emotional domain (such as being near or with parents) could add substantially to a person's overall well being.

OP, you have to think through all the scenarios carefully (rank the pros/cons if it helps), talk it through with your wife (her support is critical) and parents (go beyond what they simply say like "think about your own future", but see if they really need your presence or would really miss being with you/kids). Make a conscious decision but consider your emotional well being rather than just your financial well being - the fact that you R2Ied once indicates you will.

[Old-Spice2]

#8 -- Agree with KRV. You should have a balance in life - money + personal/emotional factors. Otherwise you will end up as a money making robot. People talk about work and life balance. This is one aspect of WLB - it is not enough to spend time with spouse and kids. You need to consider parents, siblings and in-laws.

[mn_op]

I pray to God that there is a permanent way to bring him into the US of A so that they all can live happily in the US.[/quote]

Interesting thought. I myself wouldn't want to be uprooted when I am old. I would rather die in my town than in some unknown land...among unknown people trying to make sense if my grandchild is trying to talk to me or mock me.

[anandr2i]

Interesting thought. I myself wouldn't want to be uprooted when I am old. I would rather die in my town than in some unknown land...among unknown people trying to make sense if my grandchild is trying to talk to me or mock me.[/quote]
another way to look at it is - would you rather die in your hometown, with no immediate family or close relatives whatsoever, or, die in a foreign land near your son? Sounds like even the parents of 1st generation immigrants ahve to make tough choices.