Worried About Losing Your Job?
The Multimedia University of Kenya, BSc Telecommunication and Information Engineering Class of 2017, share their experiences.
Today on the WhatsApp group chat with my classmates, and we discussed a very vital issue. We noted that companies were cutting down employees because of the economics of the pandemic and some because of poor management. Some of our colleagues have been affected by these cuts, while others made it through the tough times to keep their jobs. We wanted to know why. These are some contributions (quoted) from my undergrad classmates:
- If you do your work generously, they will never lay you off.
- Sometimes it is not about the work that you do. It is about the role.
- You can do your work generously and still be laid off.
- I am doing software that might invalidate many employees where I work, but I know the ones that do their work generously will survive because no matter how good a software is, it can’t be generous.
- In many companies, if you are well-acquainted with company politics, you will survive. Places where some guys work a lot but are never seem compared to those who talk a lot, especially if there is no set performance measuring tools.
- Khaligraph Jones does not work for the record label that signs his check, he does the work, you might say Khaligraph is different, but in 2000 if calif record fired you, your career was over, and what happened in the music industry is going to happen in all the other industries.
- I think it also depends on which firm one is employed. Look at family-run organizations. When they are cutting down, some start with non-family members. It was one of the biggest challenges that we observed while consulting for these organizations. They opt for incompetent family members. “ I have been a victim of this setup twice now. When we had no projects, they lay most of us off, and those whose family members were on top were ever safe. Some even never came to work.”
- If there is something I see a lot with our group — It has many guys really dedicated and extremely hard workers. While layoffs are sometimes inevitable, the impact and work ethic one has will ensure you get to find your feet again. — Words of encouragement.
- To really make it in the world of work, grow into that point where your work is not at the mercy of someone else’s platform, things to do with growing through employment to self-employment, or side hustles, or consulting, or business — being the proprietor of the Value you offer the world. It is the most important path and growing through the ranks, deriving your dignity that works offers. A major attitude that guys like me who chose a different path through businesses — work should never be the superficial thing of commuting to and from a job. (Words of an entrepreneur)
- Following your boss orders is not the point, you will follow your boss, and you will both get fired. Your boss is not always right.
- Very valid points. The employer is doing business; he/she will always look for ways to minimize costs and improve profit margins. Always work on your skills, and your profile will sell. — Words of encouragement.
On point 11, we added the following from experience:
- I have a better way of putting it, work for the customers, doesn’t matter if you are employed or self-employed, work for them directly or indirectly.
- Like the customers don’t care about the technical skills one has, they want the services or products.
- The tricky part is having an excellent taste, which means knowing what the customers want before they tell you.
- But be generous. Schools taught us to hold back even if you know the answers, don’t hold back now, give your customers everything.
NOTE: These are personal experiences, and they might be different for every person. One must find ways to deal with the distinct challenges as they come.
Contributors: Martin Wachiye Wafula, Duncan Akello, Nicky Mutai, Brian Ombongi, Arnold Masaja, Daniel Khaemba Wekesa, Andrew Hinga, Ruth Mutua, and David Mwangi. Brian Ombongi
