When Pink is not so cute

This story comes right from the horses mouth where I experienced this situation at one of my previous company (I wont be disclosing the company name just for sake of annonymity).

Ever wondered if Pink can be really very ugly....just have a chat with anybody who got the infamous 'Pink Slip' during recent Tsunami of Recession and economic meltdown and of as-a-result-lay-offs.

One of the waves did also hit at my office and there were (officially speaking) some static number of positions terminated or in more simple terms some employees had to be laid-off. I wont disclose the number but yes it was high enough to move everybody and bring in another Tsunami of tears and of emotions. It was hard for those on the receiving end as well as for those bidding farewell where everybody else in the audience having a feeling ...it could have been me too.

Everyone of those who were (to put it more decently) not-so-lucky had some or other liabilities on their head.. like new or changed house, bank loans, personal loans, fixed emi to be payed, children's fee and dependent parents (the list goes on and varies from person to person). But one thing in common was a heart-break, a feeling of un-belonging or a momentary vision of dark times ahead. Though the company gave some severance package but it was still not able to console those souls.

That day nobody at my office was able to have lunch or visit the recreational room (play some games) or even have the courage to discuss the episode; it was a sudden bolt of lighting which took friends away (different from what happens when a person leaves an organization with planning and time). It was a day when the reality of global economic conditions and it's consequences had hit hard on our face, a day when I was looking at a situation from ground-zero. Though the company promised no such thing would happen again but still people looked askance as to what might happen next (next is what?)

The crisis made us all realize some of the things which elders emphasize on like planning ahead, keeping your skills always updated and sharp, reduce your expenses and have less loan on your head, save for a rainy day (and yes of course Try to get a Government Job).

Well so much for words but yes I did sat down immediately to help my friends. I called up all my contacts in the HR and consultancies to inquire for any openings that might be suitable and started to give references of those guys. My other friends also volunteered to help and searched up some good interview questions book and some good technical reference book for me to forward. Most of them did start to get calls and some have also cleared a few rounds of hiring process and hopefully all of them (who happened to be quite skilled resources) would get an offer or two.

After listening to the story.. an array of questions whizzed past my mind which I pondered upon with many friends ...
. could that crisis have been avoided in any way
. why is the world gone in so much of a crisis where there is no control on careers being disrupted, lives being lost and chaos all over
. where has all the money gone if the whole world is in crisis
. are we also adding to the crisis by being irresponsible in some way (lifestyle, loans etc)

Anyways...life goes on and I am back to working during days and blogging at nights.

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