We asked Get Ahead readers to send their layoff tales and we are getting mails from employees belonging to different sectors of the Indian economy.
In the tenth part of this series, electronics engineer Ramesh Mishra got the boot after his company put him on the bench in December. Earlier in 2008 he was supposed to fly abroad on an assignment.
Name: Ramesh Mishra (name changed on request)
Age: 26
Company/Sector: IT
Educational qualification: BE (Electronics)
Work experience: 3 years and 5 months
Background:
I finished my engineering in electronics in May 2005 and was selected in a campus recruitment programme (CRP) without much effort as I topped all semesters. I was really happy on that day as I was selected by a top MNC. I celebrated my success with my friends. Finally I joined the company on August 1, 2005.
Early days
After joining I underwent a fresher training course in my company for the rest of 2005. In 2006 I got a hike of 15 per cent and a lot of appreciation from clients, teammates and team leaders. The company posted attractive numbers in 2007 and in November 2007 I got promoted to a senior level.
My salary doubled from what it was in 2005 when I joined the company.
Flying high and on the bench
I was supposed to fly to the US in February 2008. First it got postponed to May 2008. In mid-April I got to know that my project had been scrapped by the client due to budget constraints. In May, I was benched (the corporate word for an idle resources is bench force). I was on the bench till December 3, 2008.
Disaster strikes
I came to office as usual at 9, had my breakfast in the office canteen thinking it would be just another day in office. At around 15 past noon I got a call from our HR manager telling me that I needed to see him immediately.
When I went to meet him he said the company was not doing well and they were in no position to bear the bench strength.
They wanted me to resign. Resign right away.
Within 15 minutes everything was over.
They took away my identity card, blocked my e-mail ID. As my desk was located in the adjoining building, I was prohibited from even taking my belongings from my desk. Thankfully, I had friends who helped me get back my personal belongings.
My liabilities
I had taken a home loan of Rs 15 lakh last year and am paying a monthly installment of Rs 15,000. Since I am the chief income earner in my family I can't afford my house anymore and am in the process of selling it off.
Family support
My father, mother and younger brother are all dependent on my income. I fail to understand what I am going to do now as my future looks very bleak with no company reverting back to my job applications.
Lessons learnt
Build a good rapport with job recruiters for these people can help you when you lose your job.
If your parents are dependent on you, better take a family health insurance; keep some cash aside for their medical needs.
In these times if your company puts you on the bench start looking out for a new job immediately.
If you have the money and the resources, upgrade your skill sets.
Understand that you lost your job not because you are inefficient but because companies are laying off to cut costs; if you were not talented or inefficient your company wouldn't have hired you in the first place.
Illustration: Dominic Xavier
Do you have a layoff tale to tell?
Have you lost your job? Do you know someone who has lost her/his job recently and is trying to come to terms with the situation?
If you, your friends or relatives have a layoff story to tell, to inform readers about the lessons that you have learnt, please write to us at getahead@rediff.co.in. Your name and identity will not be disclosed unless you want it to.
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