[dark.knight]

A job is just that, a job, sometimes the role you play will come to an end and you may no longer be needed, either because someone else might do a better job for less or because the company needs to cut costs.

I've been in both sides of the coin, 2 times I was let go because I refused to follow the wrong path and exposed certain people who were draining company resources (very brief tenures in both places, under a year) and then I let go of people in my own company for the same reasons, both sides I never felt bad because it's simple, the power hierarchy dictates what you can face or do, in a job you can always be targeted and you should not take it personally at all and in self employment you can target others if they don't meet your requirements.

With Mahindra, the call is entirely upto the senior executives with the final trigger pulled by Mr.Anand Mahindra himself. It may have reasons totally unrelated to their current state of affairs or it may, our speak is all speculation.

[warrioraks]

I emphasise with the employees. On the other hand, Mahindra did what they felt right for their business.

Firing employees is easy. Turning around a company with the remaining employees is not. It requires meticulous execution and in majority of cases, a culture change as well. Mahindra has undoubtedly an uphill battle considering some of their old decisions are turning out to be a drag. An organisation is pretty much equivalent to a breathing living being and recovery from poor health needs persistence, magic pills, good luck and then some.

[dailydriver]

No we haven't fired 300: it was only 48
- clarifies M&M

Inshorts carried the following news today:

[anjan_c2007]

Mahindra is again and again in the news for lots of changes or rather winds of change or maybe even cyclones of change.

They are cutting lots of flab in the workforce, also including that on motor sports expenses being brought to nil as was reported yesterday by Economic Times (newspaper not website).

They are investing nearly US $ 1 billion in their new EV portfolio (first EV most likely to be a SUV) in the next three to five years. The research and development is to be done by the US arm as reported today by Economic Times (newspaper). This is again a gamble !

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...w/81436554.cms

And alas, today the RBI has cleared their reduction of stake in the PROBLEM CHILD Ssangyong to 25 % from the existing 75%.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...w/81444326.cms

M&M has made many misadventures with total lack of foresight in the two wheeler and four wheeler segments during recent years. Their Bolero, Scorpio, to some extent XUV 500 and the farm equipment division make the most money for the company's automobile arm's sustenance.

And they are in a denial mode, refuting the figure of 300 executives who have allegedly been fired. They say the magic figure is 146 over the past 12 months not 300. This is their internal matter and taking such a decision to cut the workforce is nothing new for this sector where highs and lows are a part of business. The only factor is sympathy for the job losers and their families. In fact, had M&M acted wisely and prevented itself from landing in the cesspool of failures in two wheelers, Ssangyong, all those still born KUV's and other MPV's or whatever we can call these, that came and were swept aside by market forces, the sailing would have been more smooth, at least for the company, their work force and their balance sheets.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...w/81434235.cms

[VKumar]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

They say the magic figure is 146 over the past 12 months not 300.

I have a naive question over here dear sir:

What about the people who are told to write their resignation? They aren't termed as fired. Right?

If it's so, maybe they have made a lot more people to go home by relieving them on the same day or after a short notice. Isn't it possible?

[SoumenD]

Does this even warrant a separate thread? Why just Mahindra, every other organisation has downsized during pandemic be it smaller OEMs or behemoths like Airbus/Boeing. And often its a forceful resignation process, making it look as if people left(attrition) on paper. So the real number we may never know.

Job losses during recession is a given and folks signing up for private jobs know this very well. Infact after seeing 2008 recession what I learnt was make use of the boom years to make yourself as employable as possible(invest on upgrading your skillsets) in case of any such situation where you might stand a chance to loose job. Layoffs doesn’t always mean you are an under-performer. More often than none its the firm’s performance which leads to such situations. Just being loyal to one firm for years doesn’t guarantee you a safe passage through recession. Like the saying goes : Love your job, not the company.

OT: Heck even safe government jobs are getting privatised now. For example there’s a bank strike on 15th march from some government banks like IOB as they are getting privatised. Some of my friends joined those for the job security and had a pretty chilled life all this while. But now the news of privatisation has hit them hard not for potential increase in workload, but for the loss of safety umbrella of sarkari-naukri.

[Nithesh_M]

Originally Posted by SoumenD

Does this even warrant a separate thread? Why just Mahindra,

I think its because Mahindra (like another local car maker) pretends to be holier than thou when it comes to "treating their employees like family". They used to promote how every employee isn't just a corporate aquaintance but they're indeed like family. So it is kind of shocking when family members throw out fellow family members to save money especially at a time of pandemic where the ejected family members have little chances of finding new homes at their age.

Also I find it weird that Mahindra chose to sack local employees instead of cutting costs elsewhere, like say that Formula E venture where they're throwing away millions of dollars for little exposure.

[rascalangel]

At the expense of sounding mean, please tell me they have fired their entire design team!. Worst designs of all PV companies in India.

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by Nithesh_M

I think its because Mahindra (like another local car maker) pretends to be holier than thou when it comes to "treating their employees like family". They used to promote how every employee isn't just a corporate aquaintance but they're indeed like family.

Isn't treating employees as family a (cliched) thing in almost all sectors, all companies? We have same thing going on in ours and there are regular sackings too. May be big M is transforming.

Having said that, this looks like combined impact of pandemic and performance. Kicking out someone who isn't contributing or is expensive to feed seems like a sound idea, especially in these trying times. Emotions not withstanding. I am sure those sacked executives understand that it is a business; not a charity, and the company will flip on their words at the first opportunity.

In fact its better than sacking 3000 low wage shop floor mechanics or completely shutting down a plant.

"Parthasarthy was an old hand at Mahindra. The way he has been shunted out is unthinkable. This is not the Mahindra of old, " the executive added.

This executive is shocked that the company is changing. Reflects a mindset where people just expect things to land in their lap because they spent so much time in a company.
I am sure this guy wouldn't have blinked an eye if a young hotshot was fired within 2 years.

[CARDEEP]

I have a different perspective to this bad news, it's the over-staffing at Indian Management owned/ run automobile companies. Often they continue with people way past their retirement age, because those employees are well versed into their systems, & are perceived as an experienced assets. If one division hasn't got capacity, they are moved to other, for the way they have handled work in past. Often these select few are the people who have got good relations with higher ups.

It has, however, resulted in failure in adopting newer approaches to work, moving with technological advancements & general inefficiencies. These people though experienced are slow & hiring them sends out signal to others that management cares for selected few over better performers.

Till the time companies are doing well, these issues are ignored/ hidden, but with modern professional management in most divisions, it becomes difficult for a company like Mahindra to justify white elephants in setup. At present, Mahindra is doing well only in Agriculture Equipment sector. All other units (CV/ PV) are lagging behind.

I feel there could be few good resources in these 300, but essentially it was inevitable for the position company is now in.

I feel sad for both company & the retrenched employees, but these people are probably paying price of being in wrong place at wrong time doing wrong jobs.

Considering Mahindra's aggressiveness, I'm sure it will be back in few years (at present it's too focused on big SUVs, instead of smaller & quick selling vehicles). That will be time when good blood will help it make money.

[Sran]

Link - https://m-businesstoday-in.cdn.amppr.../1/433439.html


Another fake news by the prominent Indiatoday group. Mahindra & Mahindra has already refuted it as baseless claims. Wonder what goes through the mind of editor and owners to publish news without verifying. Sad state of channels where certified frauds(prannoy roy) are still at helm preaching, so others like Arun poorie have no incentive to be ethical.

[AZT]

Originally Posted by VKumar

I have a naive question over here dear sir:

What about the people who are told to write their resignation? They aren't termed as fired. Right?

If it's so, maybe they have made a lot more people to go home by relieving them on the same day or after a short notice. Isn't it possible?

This is what usually happens. Had a friend working for TechM, they hired him and then in a few months totally changed his role to something useless. He'd also said people are also being asked to resign, this was back in 2018 but you are correct.

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by Sran

Link - https://m-businesstoday-in.cdn.amppr.../1/433439.html


Another fake news by the prominent Indiatoday group. Mahindra & Mahindra has already refuted it as baseless claims. Wonder what goes through the mind of editor and owners to publish news without verifying. Sad state of channels where certified frauds(prannoy roy) are still at helm preaching, so others like Arun poorie have no incentive to be ethical.

Your complaint against these two prominent editors/ broadcasters is that they report without proof. So where is your proof that they do so other than your own personal bias? How do you know that they did not cross check ? Please share. And how has Pranoy Roy come into the picture here? When we accuse others of an act of commission it behoves us not to be indulging in the very same act ourselves.

As member VKumar writes in his post, most would have been "encouraged" to resign and therefore legally not getting sacked but practically yes they are.

[srini1785]

While I empathize with those who lost their job, last year GSK (Glaxosmitkline) one of the biggest pharma companies of the world closed down its entire plant in Vemgal (near kolar), Bangalore. One of their main drug was booted out by FDA. Around 200 people were terminated in a single day. They were given 3 months notice. This happened via video conference in a posh hotel. No questions asked. Some have since found new employment. The intervening lockdown actually came as a blessing in disguise for some employees since all other pharma companies were working like crazy (3 shifts) and hence needed people. Some are still unemployed. So, I don't understand the fuss with M&M letting go of people.

IMO, its more of a PR disaster than anything else. All M&M needed to do was issue a voluntary official PR media release and do it the professional way. It does not bode well for an Industry house like M&M to issue denials.

[ramnaresh_2000]

I feel sorry for the people who have lost their jobs. I have made many remarks on the QC team of M&M over past few years like "Whoever tested this vehicle and given a go-ahead should be sacked". It was just a moment of frustration only when I was stranded on highway and city due to AMT malfunctioning, and not meant seriously.

The car market is booming right now and with many new players coming in to India, I am pretty sure most of them with such experience will easily find a new job.