Representative image for IT jobPink Slip is the nightmare of all techies in the IT industry. If one gets it, he has to look for another job in a few weeks or months. Sometimes the deadline could be just a few hours. But even in the trade unionist culture of Kerala & Bengal, there is not yet a strike or ruckus created by those who got sent out unexpectedly. The reason being that, if they keep silent, chances of landing another job is greater than by being a trouble maker, which would burn their chances of getting a job in IT permanently.
It takes a little while to explain this. Major IT companies recruit by tens of thousands every year and a large number of recruits have no projects to work on. They were taken in anticipation of the projects that would be forthcoming. If the company miscalculates, then a section of recruits would be put on the bench. Meaning, they are undergoing mild training or engaged in a mock project till the real stuff comes. Once the real project arrives, they start writing software code. In fact, these engineers are joining an army of code writers.
If the company fails to get the anticipated projects, a few techies whom they recruited will have to be sent out. After all, the company has to stay globally competitive as the competition is with other international IT companies.
Something peculiar about IT companies is that, when normal companies recruit workers and executives, giving opportunity to move up in two different streams, IT wallahs recruit only executives. Company's success depend on their performance. Hence the company has a liability to give incentives to performers including promotions. They have to move up the ladder. To facilitate them to move up, room has to be created at the top. If those with 10-15 years experience are stagnating, then some of them have to be sent out to create room for juniors to come up. This is precisely what happened at a major IT company recently.
Those at the middle level are not only stagnating, they are obstructing bright performers to come up too. Company needs young blood and fresh talent for its very survival. Besides, when seniors go, the cost to the company of juniors who do the same work is reduced too. In IT companies reducing the cost to the company of employees is the mantra.
These are not problems that can be solved by filing a complaint to the labour officer. Government IT and Labour departments know it well. Those who lost the job, can find better prospects elsewhere in smaller companies. They are only eager to lap up experienced executives from major companies. Some times the designation and salary of the employee goes up by several notch. After all ain't it better to be a big fish in a small pond, than being a small fish in Big pond?
Those who criticise these sackings have to remember that, these jobs came to India because, our country was more cost effective for the western companies to stay globally competitive. Millions lost job opportunities in the west, for creating these jobs here, thereby letting the Indian IT companies grow by leaps and bounds. The same way, we have to stay globally competitive, to face new challenges from countries as far as Philippines to Mexico.
Techies have to be prepared to face this challenge. Experts advice that they should keep at least 6 months salary in banks, to carry on for a few months before they land a new job. Don't party away all the money, as if there is no tomorrow. Keep some for a really rough weather day.
Lastpost: A jet-setting, suit-wearing delivery head of a major IT company resigned one fine morning to return to his village. I have had enough, he told his surprised family. He appeared at the old boys meet of his engineering college wearing a dhothi. Now he runs a diary farm with 23 cows. Happy and peaceful.
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