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Employee spotlight: Software Engineer hails working abroad scheme
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Optum (formerly EMIS) software engineer says working abroad programme has given him precious time with his family after his father was diagnosed with cancer.
Mohammad Bhat, who is a senior software engineer, has benefitted from the scheme which allows employees to work abroad for up to four weeks a year.
It has meant that Mohammad, who usually works out of his home in Bradford, has been able to take his terminally ill father to their hometown of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, and spend some quality time together, giving them both a physical and mental boost.
Mohammad, 34, said:
The working abroad scheme has been a real lifesaver for me and my family. It means I can go to Kashmir and spend some quality time with my mum and dad rather than trying to squeeze everything into a two week holiday. It makes it much more relaxing to know I can be there with them, it’s a huge boost to all of us and very special.
Last year Mohammad went to Kashmir with his father for two months, taking four weeks holiday with his wife Nazia and two sons Abdullah and Abdurrahman, and remaining there for a further month while he worked from his parents’ house.
The time is extra special for Mohammad because his father, a retired doctor and former Chief Medical Officer in Kashmir, is suffering from cancer and requires constant care.
Mohammad explained: “It’s valuable time I won’t always have, so it’s nice to be there and spend time with both my parents. When you have a young family your annual leave is precious, so having time I can use while working is great. It takes any time pressure off.”
Mohammad’s father, Mohd Anwar, was visiting his son in Bradford in March 2020 when the COVID pandemic struck, forcing him to wait out lockdown in Yorkshire with his son and young family. Tragically, it was during this time he was diagnosed with cancer, requiring full time care and intensive treatment.
Mohammad, whose father is undergoing treatment in the UK, said the ability to return together to their hometown has given them both a mental and physical boost.
It’s a huge boost being back home with my parents and it’s a huge weight of my mind to know it’s something we can do again year after year. It makes such a difference to my dad’s health, his health has improved and he’s so much brighter.
Mohammad sets up his temporary office in a bed room of his family home and works from midday until 8pm.
He said: “I find it quite easy to get into a routine and work. The only difference is that I’m looking out on the mountains and rivers of Kashmir rather than the Yorkshire hills!”
He said: “I think it’s a great idea. A lot of people are used to working from home now so it doesn’t really make much difference productivity wise if you are at your home, in a café or in a completely different country.
“The only thing I have to be aware of is timings – India is 4.5 hours ahead so I start at midday and work until 8pm, but it’s nice because that way I have my mornings and the whole weekend to do things.
He added: “It’s good to be back home. I miss the food and the weather, so it’s nice to be there for more than a flying visit.
"Being able to work from abroad is a fantastic perk and I think everyone should take advantage of it. The work culture at EMIS [now Optum] is really good, emphasis is always put on quality over quantity, so you get a lot of job satisfaction. The flexibility of working abroad just makes it even better."