This blog is written by my wife, Deepika. It's a true account, through which she's been through in the year 2013.
During this tough economic phase when many employee’s jobs
were being made redundant, I ‘LEARNT’ the power HR function has in evolving a
company into becoming best workplace of employee’s choice and to get undying
employee loyalty for the company!
Scenario I: Like many of us I also misunderstood HR as a
support function until the day I came to know that our business function is closing
down. A day before announcing the same "Company A" HR went to Temple
/ Church to pray to give the affected people strength to bear the news and
forgive them to be the harp bringer of their pain. There were employees who
were scheduled to get married in 2 months and were going out of job, employees
who were under EMI burden of Kidney transplant of their wife and employee
earning only 25K a month and being sole earning member of the family of 5-6
dependent.
Nobody has a magic wand and "Company A" HR was no
exception but they showed immense compassion and empathy and tried no stone
unturned to get the employee placed internally (depending on the profile match
and candidate willing to relocate) and externally (hired a job placement
company). I came to know, "Company A" HR team went through a training
to handle such kind of situation…. Lessons well learnt by them I must say!
In such kind of adverse situation where in spite of such a
lot of effort still most of the Employees are unemployed (specially knowing
"Company A" being a 100 Billion Dollar cash rich company & if
wanted could have absorbed the slowdown easily), they achieved to get the
Employee’s love for "Company A" by going out of the way to help each
effected employee. And I am sure given a chance everyone would love to join
"Company A" India back for such a wonderful HR team.
Scenario II: Last working day of "Company A" and
sitting in for Salary negotiation for "Company B" Offer. Being honest
by nature had portrayed true scenario in which I was in and reason for looking
for a job change. On being asked for Salary expectation I replied “being in the
situation I am I don’t think I have much negotiation power”. To my surprise
"Company B" HR said “please don’t think yourself to be in an disadvantage.
In such economic situation many a times companies loose good talent as well. We
would never want you to think that you had to compromise by joining
"Company B". Please share your expectation thinking you are still
working with "Company A" and want to join "Company B" out
of your choice and not alone need”. The compensation offered was definitely
viewing "Company B's" Budget and Policy but ‘Honestly’ saying after
knowing the outlook of "Company B" HR the % increase didn’t mattered
much, as I was already in love with the culture of the company. This is the
power of HR function to make a “would be” employee fall in love with the
company!
LESSONS LEARNT:
- Though your EMI threatens you till death but trust me you
are still better than a lot many. So, be Thankful and Pray for less privileged!
- Life is absolutely unpredictable and surprisingly you get
strength and support from once incorrectly thought ‘powerless’ and ‘least
important’ people / function in time of need. Respect Everyone!
- Like ‘Good times’ don’t stay forever, ‘Bad times’ too
shall pass. Have Faith!
