All izz well for techies

Techies are smiling again as they are likely to get a raise after a long period downturn. It’s that time of the year when these youngsters are planning to buy that much-awaited washing machine or are eyeing their favourite car as they might get a pay hike. Also, with the job market opening up, companies are looking at offering decent pay packages. Does it look like a win-win situation for these techies? Let’s find out.
If marriage is on cards, then one impatiently awaits a raise. Arun K, a software engineer with TCS, is eagerly waiting to hear from his HR. “Last year, I didn’t get a hike due to recession but I am looking forward to a 30 per cent raise this year,” he says. He plans to get married by end of this year and ‘needs a hike’. Although some of his colleagues have heard the ‘good news’, he is still waiting for his turn.
While Arun has been in the profession for a couple of years, newcomers like Udipto Roy, software engineer with Tavant Technologies, cannot wait to hear about their salary increments. “I am looking forward to my salary appraisal this year as it will be my first one ever. Although, I don’t have any expectations, I think that with the end of recession, techies can look forward to good times,” says Udipto. After getting a positive feedback from his seniors, he is keeping his fingers crossed.
While Udipto is busy planning his shopping list, Sukanto Mohanty (name changed), Technical Analyst with Infosys, has an important decision to make. “I have been heading a project for the past two years. Due to recession, I did not get a satisfactory hike and it was understandable but now, I am expecting a 20 per cent raise and if I don’t get it, I will have to make some decisions,” he says.
Are the companies paying attention? Even HRs feel that giving a raise is a must now. “Now, that the economy is in a better position and unless companies offer salary hikes, they will find it difficult to retain their employees. Moreover, if an employee has stayed with a company in its bad times, it’s only fair to compensate him/her when times are better,” says Bakul P, senior HR executive.
While these youngsters are hoping to get their increments soon, the HRs seem to send out a reassuring message that, “All izz well.”