A letter that came from heaven

There is an interesting story about how employees in India working for a multinational bank are sleeping in office after work. It is not exactly the bank’s hard-driving culture, it is actually the fear of the employees who are ready to put safety behind job security. Safety is no longer their priority.

Across India, there is rising fear of the immediate impact of recession, triggered by the Coronavirus crisis. There are mindless rumours about widespread buyouts and huge layoffs, the fear of losing jobs hang in workplaces like a cloud of worry. Human Resources experts say perceived job insecurity is here to stay, and will have a wider-ranging and serious effect on workers and companies than was once thought. In other words, the dread of being unemployed can actually be worse than the reality of being laid off, claim the HR experts. People do feel powerless when they are in an insecure position. Worse, job insecurity reduces both physical and mental health, decreases work performance.

But there are companies which pride themselves on being very supportive of balancing work and family. In near-lockdown Mumbai, a letter from a chairman of a company has made its employees sit up and take notice, many are calling it Manna from heaven.

Kushagra Bajaj, Chairman of the Bajaj Group, in a letter, assured his employees that there would be no job losses, the note instantly triggering an avalanche of love and affection throughout the company. Some employees also shared the letter with their friends who, in turn, also passed it onto their HR heads to show how reassurance matters when the chips are down.

Said Bajaj: “I wanted to reach out to all of you to let you know that your safety has been on my mind. The COVID-19 situation has become a global concern and we are all dealing with an unprecedented challenge. In the face of the current situation there is a sense of unease and fear among everybody, but we are all in this together and I’m sure we will come out of this stronger. There is a saying which I believe in strongly – Tough times don’t last, tough people do.

“I would like to thank all of you for what you’re doing every day, to help us overcome this crisis. The Bajaj Group has faced many challenges over the last 150 years and it is on the strength of our people that we have continued to flourish. Your commitment and sincerity is most appreciated. I would like to mention in particular our frontline employees and factory workers – your hard work and your discipline have helped us ensure business continuity, and all I can say that I am proud of you and the Bajaj Family and the country is indebted to you.

“I would like to let you know that the top management team in each of the businesses is working on all fronts, be it technical management, cash flow management, sales and interface with Central and State Governments. As you all know, as a group we have always been committed to society. The Foundation continues to do stellar work in helping the communities in Wardha in Maharashtra and Sikar in Rajasthan, to prevail over the huge challenges that face them during this time. I would encourage each one of you to support the helpless at this time in whatever way you can.

“It is most important that we support each other too. It is in times of crisis that leaders are born, and I am certain that the Bajaj ideals will shine through in each one of you. Staying safe is critical. Please do take care. With your support, I’m sure we will overcome this situation. Your efforts in going the extra mile will make a huge difference to both our group and to the community. As a group our resilience and courage will be key, and I am confident that by the end of all this, we will emerge safer, wiser and stronger as a group.

“I shall like to assure you that you all will remain protected. No one will lose their jobs. This is my assurance to you and your families. Please do convey this to your family members,” wrote Bajaj.

It was clear that the chairman of the Bajaj Group was aware how the coronavirus scare was laying bare structural deficiencies in India’s social programs. His letter was a quickly designed forceful response to the crisis, Bajaj knew in India workers would not be able to keep their jobs if industries had shut down.

The crisis is huge. Airline companies which have grounded their planes have asked pilots and crew to take leave without pay. The sectors that saw an immediate impact range from travel and tourism to hospitality and retail. India’s import-dependent sectors such as automobiles and pharmaceuticals have already taken a hit due to disruptions in global trade.

Many are even arguing that the government’s move to provide unemployment insurance to the impacted workers may not be sufficient to cover a large section of the country’s workforce. Such insurance covers about two-thirds of the private organised sector and 2 percent of the 470-million workforce in India. It just does not reflect the magnitude of the impact Coronavirus will have on the jobs market.

Although some businesses may rehire their workers once the shutdown is over, there are high chances that others will disappear. When social distancing ends, millions of employer-employee relationships would have been destroyed. Except in those companies where the management stands firm behind its employees and starts the battle for the speediest recovery. Big battles are fought and won collectively with employees, not without them. Bajaj knows it. The conglomerate has 13,000 employees, guaranteeing everyone their jobs is the toughest call. It is like celebrating Diwali in summer.

It is no simple letter, it is a lesson in man management for corporations in India which routinely hire and fire at will.