Facing Pressure and Harassment at Work: What Can We Do as Our Unit Closes?

Respected forum members, I am working in an MNC as a middle-level management cadre. The company is in a diversified business where job seekers can easily find jobs internally, but they may struggle to find jobs externally if they want to make a job change. The company had been operating four units (A, B, C, D), but due to a lack of supervision on market scenarios, the business faced a downfall. Consequently, based on top management's decision, one unit (A) was successfully closed after transferring company employees to another unit (B). Currently, there is a plan to close down Unit B as well, and some employees have already been transferred to Unit C.

Myself and my colleagues (8 to 10 in number) who are currently working in Unit B have been facing torture and mental harassment from the unit head and company directors regarding irrelevant issues. They are pressuring us to find another job quickly as the unit is slated to close down soon, leaving us with no further chance to continue with the company. We are all under immense stress trying to secure suitable opportunities in the market. In case some of us, including myself, are unable to find suitable jobs before the closure, what actions can we take against the management?

Previously, I was employed with a well-known company and joined this company just 9 months ago with a good salary. If the current company continues to behave in this manner, does that mean they have ruined my career? If they lack vision for further growth, why did they hire us in the first place?

I seek your guidance on how to overcome this situation and also request suggestions on possible legal actions that can be taken against the management.

Thanks in advance.

Since you were in middle management, you are not covered under the ID Act but only under the State Shops and Establishment Act. Relief can be sought under the said Act.

You have sought advice from seniors; therefore, be prepared to accept it humbly. Your company is not doing well. It is unfortunate that soon after you joined, it went into financial doldrums. Calm down and start searching for a job vigorously. At this stage, what you need to maintain is continuity in your career. Instead of getting distraught, write down your strengths and weaknesses. Find out how you can capitalize on your strengths. While searching for a new job, see if it is possible to find something allied to your profession.

Professionalism and Self-Composure

Last but not least, your post does not reflect your status of "middle-level management cadre." Professionalism lies in maintaining self-composure in the face of adversity. Your problem is that your mind has been conditioned to an MNC environment. Your emotional turmoil stems from the inability to be in the same conditioned environment. However, how can you expect the smooth sailing of your career's boat forever? Sometimes one has to face rough weather. Right now, you are facing it. This is a test of your navigation skills.

SWOT Analysis and Career Planning

Instead of waiting for nine months to complete, if in the first 2-3 months you had read the writing on the wall, you would not be in the present situation. Do a SWOT Analysis of your career. Make a career plan. You may upload it here and invite suggestions from the seniors. Trust me; some good suggestions will always come from this forum.

All the best!

Regards,
Dinesh Divekar

Managing Transition During Uncertain Times

Managing transition during uncertain times is where our personal leadership lies. Please do not consider the harassment from your reporting managers as a hassle but as a sign and protection from something much bigger. Imagine if your managers remained sweet to you, lying about the situation, and suddenly the firm closed down one day!

Dinesh has given you sound advice. Look for a job and move out of the role before they eliminate your position.

You have already worked with a great brand. Hence, you are established as talent in the job market.

Connect with your former employer and initiate a rehire. They might not be able to give you your previously held role back or match the salary that you are currently drawing. However, they will offer you continuity in your career.

If they are not able to hire you, ask for recommendations and referrals to companies where they can assist you in applying.

Shift your focus from what is happening at your workplace to a new career. Stay calm and remain as supportive as you can. This is not to help anyone else but yourself. When you decide not to falter in challenging times, you grow stronger.

Your reporting managers and the business owner are as troubled as you are. Your transition is still easy; theirs is not! You shifting out of a firm that is failing to perform in nine months will raise far fewer questions about your credibility than theirs. Remain supportive and make them your mentors during the transition. Their words of recommendation will help you build your credibility with your next employer.

Don't stay attached to any brand, salary, designation, or any other pretensions. Just stay focused on continuity. If you have a job when you move out of this firm, you can always build your career.

In fact, help your colleagues plan a career. Helping others when you face a challenge will help you identify strengths you never knew you had.

No matter how much it pushes you, refuse to believe you can't find a job. You will find one and stay focused on it.

Wishing you all the best!

EXPERIENCE IS A HARD TEACHER THAT GIVES THE EXERCISE FIRST AND THEN THE LESSON, said Voltaire, who was instrumental in starting the famous French Revolution and the birth of democracy in France. This statement is diametrically opposite to conventional theoretical methods, where a theorem, postulate, or formula is first taught, followed by an example to illustrate the same.

Tough situations and tough bosses teach us many good things. As rightly observed by many of our senior members, you should count yourself lucky for having been informed in advance. No one willfully spoils another person's career, barring some exceptions. Your Unit Head and others, or whoever was responsible for taking you into that company, might themselves be in a quandary. Difficult situations bring out the best in a person, provided the person has patience and resilience. From now on, until you get a job (or for that matter, any situation in the future when you face testing times), remove the thought of "mental torture."

Further, spend all your energy and time finding another job, and it will be futile to even think of any action against your company.

Wish you good luck,

V.Raghunathan