News & Events

Companies have announced robust hiring plans. Campus placements saw recruiters making eye-popping offers.That apart, surveys by several HR firms indicate that the median salary hike this year will be close to 11%. Star performers can expect even more. According to Aon Hewitt, the top performers are expected to get 1.6 times the hike given to average performers.

 

Behind these glad tidings is a worrisome reality . In recent months, India Inc has become more conscious of the bottom line. Companies are ruthlessly shedding flab to become more profitable. One estimate says that in Bengaluru alone, some 15,000 techies have been laid off in the past one year. "Organisations are becoming bolder in removing roles or people," says Aditya Narayan Mishra, President-Staffing, Ranstad India.

 

People are usually shocked when they are told to go. But in many cases, the signs are quite obvious. It is just that employees fail to read these indications.

 

 

Will you get fired? Take the short quiz to know how safe your job is.

 

Here are some of the signs that can tell an employee that his job is in peril and what he could do to avoid getting sacked.

 

You haven′t learnt any new skill

 

Just like the software in a computer needs to be updated, an employee needs to constantly upskill himself to stay relevant. The skills that proved useful a few years ago may have become outdated now. People who are not able to adapt in a changing world are vulnerable. They may have sufficient skills to handle the present, but may not be able to handle the future needs of their workplace.

 

One way to secure your job is by acquiring a niche but useful skill. For instance, if a business development manager learns a foreign language, he will be seen as indispensable. "If an individual′s skillset is easy to find in the market and a possible replacement is within the system, removing him will be easy ," says Mayank Chandra, Managing Partner, Antal International.

 

Upskilling has become easier now with the launch of massive open online courses (MOOCs). These online courses are cheap (some are even free) and one can study after work. Make sure your boss knows when you sign up for a course to enhance your skills."The very fact that you want to upskill sends the signal of your intent to improve, to do better," says Rituparna Chakraborty, Cofounder and Senior Vice-President, Teamlease Services.

 

You don′t get along with co-workers

 

Interpersonal skills are critical at the workplace. Even if you are an above average performer but don′t get along well with your co-workers, your job is in danger. When managers start compiling a list of people to be retrenched, they first want to get rid of difficult employees. Most prefer a friendly, cooperative but incompetent worker over an unpleasant but skilled employee.

 

If you don′t have a cordial relationship with your boss or co-workers, mend the fences before it′s too late. Make a sincere ef fort to reach out and discuss the issue. Such prickly issues should not be tackled immediately after a confrontation. Choose a time when the atmosphere is neutral if not congenial. Similarly, talk to co-workers with whom you have had unpleasant exchanges.You might not enjoy these discussions, but they could help save your job.

 

However, this does not mean an underperformer can get away just because he is nice and friendly with everyone. It is also a misconception that sucking up to the boss can save your job. That can be a short-term tactic, not a long-term strategy. "Unless the organisation is not a meritocracy, being close to your boss won′t help much," warns Shiv Agrawal, founder of Head Honchos.

 

You are doing less work now

 

Who doesn′t want to work less? Only workaholics enjoy staying back late. But if you are doing less work than you did last year, there is reason to worry . More work coming your way is an indication that your company has faith in your abilities. On the other hand, less work could mean that the individual is not really required. "It′s a sign that the person is losing significance," says Mishra. The axe could come down any day .

 

Even average performers need to be worried. At Wipro, meeting the sales target will no longer be enough. To earn rewards, an employee must be able to show incremental growth. So while they may not get the sack, a below average 6% increment is a pay cut in real terms if adjusted for 7-8% inflation.

 

If there are doubts about your performance, you can change the perception by demonstrating your willingness to do more."Bosses look for people who step up and volunteer whenever needed. It shows a positive attitude," says Agrawal.

 

Your pay hike was below average

 

According to a study by the Hay Group, the difference between the rewards offered to average employees vis-a-vis a top performer has grown sharper in the past few years.This year, the difference may become even more pronounced as companies reward outperformers and punish the laggards.

 

Your annual salary increment says a lot about how much your company loves you."Increments communicate the value a company sees in an employee," says Mishra.Though comparisons between salary hikes are frowned upon (it is supposed to be a confidential matter between the individual and the employer), word eventually gets out. If you get a below average hike, you are obviously not in the good books. There is a bigger danger that you may be laid off if the company starts downsizing.

 

A caveat is in order here. When comparing salary hikes, make an apple-to-apple comparison with your peers in the company .This is because the percentage hike varies across the organisation. The more senior you are, the smaller is the percentage hike, though in absolute terms you may get more than a junior employee.

 

You are not consulted

 

Do your opinions and ideas matter in the company? It′s great if your boss consults you and your suggestions improve processes and help the business. But if nobody asks for your opinion and you are kept in the dark about what′s going on, it could be that your ideas are not considered useful.Retreating into a shell will not help. Understand the reasons why you are being sidelined and then approach your boss for feedback.

 

Getting an honest feedback is not easy because nobody wants to perform the unpleasant task of telling an underperformer how bad he really is. Before you go to your boss for feedback, do a dry run. Identify a trustworthy co-worker who can honestly and objectively comment on your performance and offer constructive criticism. He should clearly spell out where you need to improve.

 

But start this self assessment exercise only if you have the conviction to follow it up with action. "Such a feedback on performance will have no utility if you don′t have the will to act on it," says Mishra.

 

You don′t do core functions in the company

 

In some cases, the loss of a job may have nothing to do with the individual or his capabilities. You could be a good worker and doing absolutely fine but still get laid off because of a certain strategic shift in your company′s business plans. Jobs in divisions that are not related to the core function of the company are particularly at risk. Simply put, only if your work is critical for the survival of the business, your job is safe. For instance, an FMCG company might have set up a social media division to build its brands. If it decides to cut costs, the social media division might be the first one to go.Keep your ears to the ground to know of any impending change in the way the company looks at your division. If there are murmurs of downsizing, be ready to jump ship.

 

Your company is facing problems

 

If your company is facing financial pressure, it may cut down on certain non-essential roles. Here again, such layoffs have nothing to do with the individual or his performance. "You could be in the wrong place at the wrong time," says Agrawal. Keep a close watch on how your company is doing financially. If profits have declined and there is no respite in sight, the company may start downsizing. Similarly, a sector may face headwinds, forcing companies to cut staff.

 

Apart from the financial results, the sudden departure of senior people, especially star performers, is one indication that the company is facing problems. There is not much you can do if your company has merged or is downsizing. Update your resume and start looking out much before heads start rolling. "Keep in regular touch with the wider circle of people who affect your career. If you approach them after you lose your job, you might be seen as someone who comes only when in need," advises Chakraborty.