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 25th part of this series, Ashwini Deo tells the story of how she was laid off and took it in her stride.
Name: Ashwini Deo
Company/Sector: IT/Software consulting
Work experience: 10 years
Background:
I've been in the IT industry for a decade now and was a software consultant before I was fired from my organisation. I think they planned to get rid of me when I went on maternity leave -- I think I totally made myself replaceable at that point. I delivered my baby and went back to work within three months -- not extending leave, nor working from home. Still, there were unsavoury elements in my office who were hatching a plot even while I was basking in my not-pregnant-anymore-new-mommy bliss. There I was, my ridiculously naive self against the conspirators, totally unaware of the suspicious happenings around me.
How I lost my job:
I strolled into the office on a routine Wednesday morning saying my good mornings and hellos like everyday. I had a 9 am metting scheduled with my boss and went to his office. He sat me down and broke the news -- because of the way things are blah blah blah, we have to let you go and today is your last day, blah blah blah. Everything else he said is just a blur.
I have never been so stunned in my life as when I was told I had been fired. My brain just froze and I was completely devoid of any thoughts for a few seconds. It's like they threw me under a bus and then were asking me if I was okay. Guys, I feel like s*** right now, exactly the way one would feel if they were under a bus, thank you very much!
My second thought was that the building should just blow up and I should be the lone survivor.The most insane part of the whole episode was that the very next instant, I was the company's Enemy Number One. All my accessories were confiscated and I felt like I was being court martialled and banished to Afghanistan to live in an underground prison for the rest of my life.
Lessons learnt:
I was crushed when I lost my job, but I survived, thanks to my little girl, mom-made food, chilled beer and an extremely supportive husband:
I learnt the hard way that each one of us is dispensable.
Let bygones be bygones. Deal with the blows life gives you sometimes and move on.
I prefer to think of the whole episode in a lighter vein now. Remember, its only your job that's over, not your life.
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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