Facing an Unexpected Job Transfer: How Can I Balance Work and Family Responsibilities?

I am working in a private engineering college as an Assistant Professor for the last three years. In July 2017, they made me a permanent employee, and since then, I have been working at a place that is 60 km away from my hometown. This month, they informed me that I have been transferred to another college which is 180 km from my hometown.

While my service was regularized, I accepted all terms and agreed to a lower salary than my actual pay to continue working at the location that is 60 km from my home. However, unexpectedly, they have transferred me from this place. Among my colleagues, I am the senior with 6 years of experience compared to my junior. I am uncertain why they chose to transfer me instead of my junior.

I am concerned about my family situation as my mother is suffering from heart disease, and someone needs to be present with her at all times as her blood pressure can rise suddenly, requiring immediate hospitalization. My father is elderly and does not receive any pension. As the only young member of the family, I am responsible for taking care of both of them and financially supporting my family.

I seek advice on what actions I can take in this situation. What are the possible remedies available to me? Your suggestions on what steps I should take would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Dear Anilbele, it looks like you are very much disturbed. Don't panic. Your transfer is legal provided your management gives you proper notification within the guidelines of your institution and as per your offer, as most offers typically include a transfer clause. Instead of investigating the reasons for the transfer and comparing with others, please speak to your management, explaining your situation with proofs and try to make them understand. Transfer is a matter of employment, so I don't see any possible action you can take against them based on what you described. Check the transfer, promotion, demotion policies of your institution which may provide you with more insights. Stay cool and win the game.

Dear Anil Bele,

This is in addition to what the previous member has said. I would like to put forth my views on the internal dynamics of the company.

Rather than being your junior, you have been transferred to a location that is 180 km away. This shows that management has great faith in you. They might not have found a suitable person at that place; hence your transfer. On the opposite side of this viewpoint is that the transfer could be a ploy to remove you. Maybe the management does not want you to continue, hence they have created such a condition that you will be forced to quit your employment. Now, which possibility is correct, you need to assess.

Now you have two options. One is to accept the transfer and join at the new place. This will help you maintain the monthly cash flow that you badly need, considering your family responsibilities. The second option is to quit your employment and search for a new one. Nevertheless, the risk of this option is that you will have to wait until you get new employment and could be unemployed. Another risk is that the status of unemployment reduces the candidate's bargaining power. Therefore, decide which option is economically viable.

In addition to this, I would like to appreciate your sense of filial responsibility. God bless you!

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Dear sir,

I am Anil Bele. I also want a solution to the issue that at the college to which I have transferred by the management, the working conditions are very bad. Employees haven't received their salaries for the past 8 months. How can I join in such a situation when my original workplace does not have this problem? What should we do as the management says that the salary is to be drawn from your workplace? As I am the only one running my home, how can I manage in such an unfavorable condition?