Project Withdrawn- Human Resource Management

Dear All,

We have around 50 associates working on a Big Project for the clients. However, on 31st August, the project was withdrawn from our company due to XYZ reasons. We have reassigned 20 associates to other projects based on their interests. Currently, we are in the process of finalizing tie-ups with other companies and anticipate securing a new project within the next 3 weeks.

The question at hand is: what should we do with the remaining 30 associates during this interim period? We seek suggestions from all seniors on how to effectively utilize our human resources until the new project commences. Alternatively, you can recommend conducting activities on the floor that would enable them to enhance their skills and contribute to the company's growth.

Thanks in advance.

Since it is only three weeks by which time you can redeploy the 30 associates, it is not wise to lay them off for 30 days as it will be difficult for the company to recruit again 30 associates. Probably the cost of recruiting them may outweigh the cost of retaining. I have a few suggestions:

1) Since you must be knowing the nature of the project on which they can be deployed in six weeks time, you can conduct a training program inducting them to the business goals of the new project and honing their existing skills to suit the new project, or
2) Utilize their services for generating ideas on new products or services, or
3) Employ them for Business Development activities, etc.

B. Saikumar

It would be a good time for the 30 associates who have not been moved to other projects to upgrade their knowledge and attend seminars, both online and offline.

In addition, supervisors can test their knowledge by assigning in-house projects for them to work on. These projects can involve research and development tasks or sample/test projects.

Furthermore, you can encourage them to utilize their accumulated leave since it is unlikely that they will have the opportunity to take leave once the new projects commence.

Thanks for your suggestions...

@ Sai consult - The project we are getting is more or less similar, and though they have experience, 3-4 days are enough to train them very easily. For business development activities, good communication skills are needed. They are not so good in communication (and all are proud that they have good communication skills).

@ Saswatabanerjee - Out of 30, around 23 associates we hired on a contract basis are not eligible to take leaves (means LOP) until they get confirmation from our company (it's from 3-6 months depending on their performance at work).

Thanks