Claim decade of service gone in minutes as no warning given; company cites optimisation of resources
TNR News Network
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, an Indian multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Mumbai, has laid off more than 100 employees from its consumer-care division.
While the company states it is “optimising resources for long-term sustainability” as the motive behind the step, the abrupt terminations have left employees devastated and raised questions about corporate responsibility in times of economic flux.
Decade of dedication, terminated in minutes
For Jaswinder Singh, Umesh Kumar, Abdul Roof Fafoo and Alok Sharma, the termination came as a bolt from the blue and was quite dramatic. Employees from across the country were reportedly summoned to a hotel in Hyderabad where they were informed about their redundancy.
Each of them had been associated with the company since 2012, investing over a decade of their lives in building its consumer-care brand.
Rakesh Kumar, another long-serving employee, expressed shock over the development: “We worked tirelessly for years, building the division from scratch. To be dismissed without any prior warning or consultation feels like a betrayal. It’s not just the job, it’s about the respect we deserved as loyal employees.”
Corporate justification vs. employee struggles
According to a company spokesperson, the move is part of a global review aimed at enhancing efficiency and maintaining competitiveness in an evolving market.
“As part of this disciplined approach, some roles have become redundant. We are committed to supporting affected colleagues through job transition assistance,” the spokesperson stated. However, the employees allege that the process lacked transparency and empathy.
“They didn’t give us any time. We were simply told our roles were no longer needed,” said a former employee who wished to remain anonymous.
Voices of protest and demand for accountability
Employees reportedly protested the terminations at the Hyderabad venue, demanding a clearer explanation and fair compensation.
“We weren’t just employees, we were the backbone of this division. If they wanted to future-proof the business, why weren’t we involved in discussions or given a chance to adapt?” asked an aggrieved former worker.
While Glenmark assures that employees are a priority and promises job transition support, the human cost of such decisions often goes unaddressed. For those laid off, it’s not just about losing a paycheck but also the emotional and mental toll of starting over after years of dedicated service.
This move by Glenmark highlights a growing trend in the pharmaceutical sector where companies are increasingly restructuring to adapt to market demands. While operational efficiency is essential, experts argue that the welfare of employees must remain a parallel priority.
“Organisations must strike a balance between business needs and employee well-being. Abrupt terminations can lead to long-term reputational damage and employee distrust,” said an industry analyst.
