A recent incident discussed widely on the social media platform X highlighted a growing trend.
According to several online posts, a Bengaluru based technology startup reportedly dismissed nearly 40 percent of its staff in a single day. The rapid decision surprised employees, many of whom had not expected such large scale layoffs.
Layoffs are becoming increasingly frequent in India’s technology sector. Even professionals earning very high salaries are realising that large pay packages do not always ensure long term security.
Careers that once seemed stable, with steady promotions and opportunities, are now facing disruption as startups carry out sudden workforce reductions to manage costs.
The matter came to public attention after chartered accountant Arpit Goyal described the situation involving a friend employed at the company.
According to him, his friend reportedly earns an annual salary package of about Rs 92 lakh, but lost the job, showing that even highly paid workers can lose their jobs during restructuring.
In fact, higher the salary, higher will be the financial commitments, be it insurance policies, EMIs or home loans and cars; school fees for kids in repute international schools and so on.
A sudden loss of highly paid job disturbs the families as they have to scale down their life style with immediate effect, as finding a job of same standard, in short time or even for ever, may be difficult due to fewer opportunities.
“Losing a job that pays around Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per annum is safer and does not affect one much, as finding another job at that level is relatively easier. But losing a high-paying job like one offering Rs 92 lakh or more is difficult to cope with. It's like falling down from 1st floor to falling down from 7th floor,” says a techie.
Onviously, the layoffs also affected employees facing important personal moments.
One dismissed worker was about to become a father, while another was a pregnant employee planning to apply for maternity leave.
Such incidents highlight the emotional strain of sudden job loss and the growing uncertainty within India’s startup environment.