Pawan is working as an officer in the State Government for the last ten years. As a part of routine transfer, he was posted to another department. He joined in a new office along with five other colleagues. The head of the office was a senior officer conversant with the functioning of the office. As a part of general inquiry, Pawan gathered that his senior officer carries the reputation of being difficult and insensitive person having his own disturbed family life. Initially, all seem to go well. However, after some time Pawan felt that the senior officer was belittling him and at times unreasonable. Whatever suggestions given or views expressed by Pawan in the meetings were summarily rejected and the senior officer would express displeasure in the presence of others. It became a pattern of boss's style of functioning to show him in bad light highlighting his shortcomings and humiliating publicly. It became apparent that though there are no serious work-related problems/shortcomings, the senior officer was always on one pretext or the other and would scold and shout at him. The continuous harassment and public criticism of Pawan resulted in loss of confidence, self-esteem and equanimity. Pawan realized that his relations with his senior officer are becoming more toxic and due to this, he felt perpetually tensed, anxious and stressed. His mind was occupied with negativity and caused him mental torture, anguish and agony. Eventually, it badly affected his personal and family life. He was no longer joyous, happy and contented even at home. Rather without any reason he would lose his temper with his wife and other family members. The family environment was no longer pleasant and congenial. His wife who was always supportive to him also became a victim of his negativity and hostile behaviour. Due to harassment and humiliation suffered by him in the office, comfort and happiness virtually vanished from his life. Thus it damaged his physical and mental health. (a) What are the options available with Pawan to cope up with the situation? (b) What approach Pawan should adopt for bringing peace, tranquillity and congenial environment in the office and home? (c) As an outsider, what are your suggestions for both boss and subordinate to overcome this situation and for improving the work performance, mental and emotional hygiene? (d) In the above scenario, what type of training would you suggest for officers at various levels in the government offices?

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Q1.

Pawan is working as an officer in the State Government for the last ten years. As a part of routine transfer, he was posted to another department. He joined in a new office along with five other colleagues. The head of the office was a senior officer conversant with the functioning of the office. As a part of general inquiry, Pawan gathered that his senior officer carries the reputation of being difficult and insensitive person having his own disturbed family life. Initially, all seem to go well. However, after some time Pawan felt that the senior officer was belittling him and at times unreasonable. Whatever suggestions given or views expressed by Pawan in the meetings were summarily rejected and the senior officer would express displeasure in the presence of others. It became a pattern of boss's style of functioning to show him in bad light highlighting his shortcomings and humiliating publicly. It became apparent that though there are no serious work-related problems/shortcomings, the senior officer was always on one pretext or the other and would scold and shout at him. The continuous harassment and public criticism of Pawan resulted in loss of confidence, self-esteem and equanimity. Pawan realized that his relations with his senior officer are becoming more toxic and due to this, he felt perpetually tensed, anxious and stressed. His mind was occupied with negativity and caused him mental torture, anguish and agony. Eventually, it badly affected his personal and family life. He was no longer joyous, happy and contented even at home. Rather without any reason he would lose his temper with his wife and other family members. The family environment was no longer pleasant and congenial. His wife who was always supportive to him also became a victim of his negativity and hostile behaviour. Due to harassment and humiliation suffered by him in the office, comfort and happiness virtually vanished from his life. Thus it damaged his physical and mental health. (a) What are the options available with Pawan to cope up with the situation? (b) What approach Pawan should adopt for bringing peace, tranquillity and congenial environment in the office and home? (c) As an outsider, what are your suggestions for both boss and subordinate to overcome this situation and for improving the work performance, mental and emotional hygiene? (d) In the above scenario, what type of training would you suggest for officers at various levels in the government offices?20

Introduction

Pawan's workplace problem has become an emotional crisis that now harms his family. The core dilemma is between Self-Respect and Hierarchical Harmony.

(a) Options Available to Pawan

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(i) CAPITULATE [Compromised-Hybrid]

Enduring silently avoids friction but is Moral Escapism that keeps damaging his health.

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(ii) CONFRONT [Strict-Legal]

An immediate formal complaint puts conduct on record but skips dialogue.

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(iii) EVADE [Procedural-Evasive]

A transfer brings relief but passes the abuse to the next officer.

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(iv) COMPROMISE [Empathetic-Humanitarian]

Excusing the boss because of his family troubles normalises humiliation.

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(v) RECONCILE ✓ [Balanced]

Self-care, private documented dialogue and escalation only if needed (recommended).

(b) Approach for Peace in Office and Home

Self-Respect vs Hierarchical Harmony. Venn diagram: Self-Respect, Hierarchical Harmony; overlap: Assertive, documented dialogue

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Inner steadiness

Emotional Intelligence and the Gita's Sthitaprajna help him separate the boss's conduct from his worth, while Tele-MANAS (2022) [scheme] offers counselling.

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Repair home, then talk

He should confide in his wife, meet the boss privately, record incidents and escalate only if abuse persists.

Justification:

Aristotle's Phronesis: practical wisdom finds the mean between servile silence and angry revolt.

(c) Suggestions for Boss and Subordinate

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Boss

Criticise in private, check his Confirmation Bias and seek help for his own stress.

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Both

Written goals and a weekly review keep feedback about work, not persons.

(d) Training for Officers at Various Levels

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Seniors

Respectful leadership with 360-degree feedback.

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All levels

Conflict resolution and stress management on Mission Karmayogi's iGOT (2020) [scheme], as the 2nd ARC [committee/report] urged.

Conclusion

Dignity at work is a floor, not a favour: Pawan should steady himself first and then use institutional channels, while government trains leaders to correct without humiliating.

This model answer is indicative and the model can make mistakes; please verify key facts independently.

Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.