Startup Struggles: Should I Stay or Move On Amid Funding Delays and Career Stagnation?

Current Challenges in the Organization

Over the last few months, the organization has been engaging in activities that suggest a lack of positivity moving forward. Salaries for employees have not been paid on time, and for the past five months, management has been indicating that investors will raise funds as it is a startup company. However, this funding has not materialized. They discuss amounts in the millions and trillions, yet they are unable to even afford office rent.

Day by day, the situation is deteriorating for top-level management, employees, and the bridge between employees and the employer, i.e., the HR department tasked with retaining employees and managing daily operations to keep the company running. What started with 40 employees has now dwindled to only 6, as individuals sought better career opportunities elsewhere. One positive aspect is that our directors are actively seeking good investors and maintaining a hopeful outlook to navigate through this challenging situation.

As an HR executive, I am contemplating whether I should stay or seek opportunities elsewhere, given the lack of career growth and dissatisfaction. What steps should I take at this juncture? Your insights and advice will be greatly appreciated as I navigate through this challenging period.

Regards,
Rahul

The problems with startups are not new to this forum. Recently, there was a thorough discussion on this subject. Click the following link to refer to my and other senior members' replies:

https://www.citehr.com/552645-uninte...-salaries.html

From 40, if the strength of the employees has dwindled to 6 and if you are one of those six, it shows that you are quite tenacious. You have shown sufficient loyalty to your organization. There is nothing wrong if you wish to move on.

As far as finding an investor is concerned, note that all employers give this kind of assurance. No less a person than Dr. Vijay Mallya kept assuring employees of KFA that he would infuse funds to keep his airlines afloat. For six months, employees of KFA worked without their salaries, and the end result, you know very well. Today, he has run away to the UK, and it will be very difficult for the Government of India to bring him back.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Business Mentor, Consultant, and Trainer

In my opinion, one significant concern for me is whether moving on and seeking another opportunity would be quite challenging. My background is technical (computer application), but I do not possess sound knowledge in the technical field. Currently, my company offered me an HR position when starting this firm after recognizing some qualities in me such as leadership, personality, and communication skills. For the past 1.5 years, I have been working as an HR in the same company. They consider me a core member of the company, valuing my loyalty, dedication to company growth, and contribution to organizational goals. Would it be worthwhile or make sense for me to pursue other opportunities? If I were to leave, would other companies consider hiring me as an HR professional even though I lack a management degree or completed courses, relying solely on my HR experience?

Could you also provide insights into my career path?

Looking forward to your reply.

Regards, Rahul