IT layoffs: "Two days after my promotion, I was asked to resign"

The Tech Mahindra employee who released a recording of his termination with his HR earlier this month has revealed more details in a conversation with CNN News 18.

The employee narrating his ordeal told the channel, “Two days after my promotion I was called by the HR and asked to resign. In my termination letter, they wrote that you cannot work for this company or in any Joint Venture with our company for the next two years.”

The 6.45-minute long audio clip uploaded on SoundCloud and published first by Moneycontrol.com later went viral and the criticism of the manner in which the employee was sacked forced Mahindra Group’s executive chairman Anand Mahindra and Tech Mahindra CEO CP Gurnani to apologise.

Others from the IT industry are also worried and frustrated with the present state of affairs. “I meet 4-5 people every day who are all worried. Another employee who just returned from her maternity leave was asked to resign,” added the employee.

Developments in the US visa policy have also led to the reduction in the coffers of the companies which has had an effect on Indian IT firms in the US. Further, the rapid movement towards automation and inadequacy of IT firms to re-skill their employees are being touted as major reasons behind mass layoffs.

Another employee from a top IT firm said, “I was called to meet the HR. They said, as your rating is low, you need to resign. I refused and asked for a review of my performance.  They kept pressurising me to resign by saying you will be blacklisted from the company and your experience here will be blacked out.”

The employees also alleged that the companies refuse to give anything in writing and they don't reply to the emails.