Hyderabad: While software companies are calling recent layoffs “performance-based” removals, experts are advising techies to improve their skill sets and be “soft” at the workplace to avoid negative impressions by the HR personnel.
As per reports, after the Trump Government’s new rules on salaries of H1B visa holders and compulsory employment to American citizens in Indian companies in the United States and the poor growth rate in the recent fiscal, companies are working on removing senior executives from Level-3 to Level-6. Similar measures will be taken by the end of this year against Level-2 techies.
Cognizant told the Labour Commission on Thursday that removals based on performance were a routine process and were not layoffs. However, the hearing is still pending with the labour commissioner and arguments will be taken up on May 26, 2017.
Meanwhile, an official spokesperson from Capgemini said the company was committed to continuous talent development and building capabilities of employees.
“The company evaluates employees based on strict performance criteria in an objective process, consistent with industry norms to ensure we are aligned with our customer needs, business priorities and overall industry evolution. We are also providing training programmes to our employees. So far, we have far provided training to over 2,000 employees in emerging technologies in India,” the spokesperson said.
The recent emergency meeting, under supervision of IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao, following the Cognizant order came up with a conclusion to provide skill development programmes to techies in Hyderabad to overcome the present crisis.
An official from the IT department said the government, along with Telangana Information Technology Association (TITA) and other agencies such as TASK, will provide training to Telangana-based techies in “cross-skill technologies’ for Horizontal to Horizontal platforms and “vertical-skill technologies” for those with master skills in any one technology and not enough skills in vertical technologies like health care and banking.
S.N. Vishal, a techie from Madhapur, said the situation was critical for above manager-level employees.
“Skill upgradation, including improving multi-platform skills, is the only solution in handling the current situation. Those with additional qualifications like Big Data, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security and Vertical technologies are safe from the layoffs.
Techie numbers
1,386 Number of IT companies in City
116 Number of Big-companies
4 lakh Number of IT professionals
Current scenario creates threat to: Level-3 to Level-6 employees
