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 11th part of this series, management graduate Ashwin Nalawade tells us how he was humiliated by an MNC before he was sacked. Fortunately, he managed to get another job, never mind that his salary shrank by half.
Name: Ashwin Nalawade (name changed on request)
Age: 29
Company/Sector:MNC certification
Educational qualification: MBA (Human Resources)
Work experience: 5 years
Background:
I finished my MBA in human resources five years back and was working for a textile company before joining a financial consulting MNC abroad in their business development department. This company has its presence in India as well.
How I lost my job:
I joined this MNC in their offshore branch (this country is ravaged by civil war) as business development manager with a salary of $18,000 per annum.
A few months into this job, I was not given the knowledge of the products which this company sold and this became a hindrance when I communicated with customers.
My insistence that I be given in-depth product training before I met clients did not go well with my boss. This sparked an argument between the two of us. Even when my sales performance was on par with the company's expectations my boss was not satisfied with it as he raised the bar for me.
When there was a nation-wide strike called by this country's government, he wanted all of us to work on that day. I opposed it strongly citing security reasons. After this, when I offered to resign my boss hiked my salary by 20 per cent and promised that I will be sent on a plum assignment in another country.
Suddenly my monthly sales target was increased 10 times. After about three months all business-related mails were routed directly to him from the parent company without copying me on them. All business activities were handled by my boss and I was totally sidelined.
One fine morning, my boss introduced me to a newcomer saying he will take charge of my responsibilities and I should submit my papers within 10 minutes. A self-respecting man that I am I could not digest this humiliation and resigned immediately.
After being without a job for about six months I finally got a new job in a textile firm in India, albeit with less than half the previous drawn salary.
Family support
Only my parents stood by me supporting me in my bad times. My girlfriend and all other well-wishers deserted me in the worst crisis of my life.
Who can I trust?
Nobody! I don't trust anybody, anymore, as far as money transactions with office colleagues are concerned. I loaned $1,000 to my colleague in this company and I am yet to get it back despite several reminders over the phone now that I am back in India.
Lessons learnt
Build a strong network of people at your workplace.
Spend money very, very conservatively, when and where needed.
Save minimum 6 months of your salary in your bank which will help you when you are without a job.
Always be in the good books of your boss.
Illustration: Uttam Ghosh
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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