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Layoff Tales: 'I'm still looking for jobs with a large family to support'

May 11, 2009 10:20 IST

Some weeks ago, we asked Get Ahead readers to send us their layoff tales. We still get a lot of mail from employees belonging to different sectors of the Indian economy, indicating how difficult the employment scenario is out there.

In the 38th part of this series, young recruitment agent V K Harish writes about how his company cajoled him into resigning voluntarily and then did not fulfill its side of the promise.

Name: V K Harish.
Company/Sector: One of India's top IT companies.

Work experience: 8 years.

Background: I am from Karnataka and worked in the R&D sector before I joined this top IT company. I worked for two-and-a-half years as a senior engineer before being laid off.

During the selection process I was told I would be given a good work environment and the work would be very interesting.

However, when I started working there, the truth dawned on me that the managers went to any extent to get work from the engineers.

I was physically abused and given small projects like maintenance of customer products.

However, I continued working for the company as there were no jobs available by this time. I tried learning as much as possible from the projects alloted to me. I was not alloted any projects from November.

Then the company began taking exams of all its employees. Every Monday morning we used to get a mail from HR that if we did not pass the exam we would be laid off.

How I lost my job:

One day I got a call from HR that if I gave in my resignation voluntarily it would help me find a job outside. In the meanwhile, HR said, if I got a project in the company during my notice period then my resignation letter would be taken back and I would be alloted the project.

I got a project (after speaking to the concerned manager) as well, but I was not allotted the project by the staffing team and was told to leave the company.

Job hunt:

I am still looking for jobs. I have a large family to support.

Lessons learnt:

Trust yourself and never your manager and company management.

Be prepared to do a part-time or contract job till you find a suitable job.

Trust your talent to get a new job.

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 layofftales@rediffmail.com. Your name and identity will not be disclosed unless you want it to.