Layoff Tales: 'Thank you for firing me'

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 39th part of this series, young IT employee Rakesh Jain* writes about how his company cajoled him into resigning voluntarily and then did not fulfill its side of the promise.

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Name: Rakesh Jain (*name changed on request)
Company/Sector: IT/Consulting

Work experience: 18 months

Background:

I worked as a software engineer in a small but very reputed firm. Today the company is doing pretty well, may be because they hire only one employee where three people are needed. Anyhow I worked there for about one year and dragged things to meet my targets somehow.

How I lost my job:

Then one day a proposal comes from our 'adventurous' CEO to remove all excess employees and get the work done by online contractors. Very well! So there ended my job.

How I am coping:

After struggling for a few days after my layoff I decided to dust off myself and get cracking with either finding a new job or starting my own business. Since I am a Java developer I got a few advanced certifications from Sun Microsystems and started freelancing for software vendors. I must agree that I struggled with my new job venture for a couple of months before things started working smoothly for me. Today, I love what I am doing and happy that I took a decision to start on my own.

This is not to say that what I am doing is without any pitfalls. But it has a few upsides too.

Upsides:

I work only 40 hours a week (no overtime) and earn almost the same as I used to earn before

I do not always have a boss hanging over my head

I moved to my home town from Bangalore (now Bengaluru) where expenses are lot lesser

I am closer to my family than ever before; I choose my working hours, and now I've started preparing for civil services Thank you Mr 'adventurous' CEO for firing me. Without you I would be stuck in that job of yours forever. Thank you for setting me free.

Downsides:

No job security (but then this was also an illusion in as I saw employees getting fired abruptly all around me

Future prospects... yes, there is a risk involved if you want to be in a job forever. But even then, in this environment it is a good way to have a break and to get by. And if you plan for any higher studies or any other exam then it is the best way.

So for me my layoff was a blessing in disguise.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier

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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.