That Fateful Thursday...

As written by my cousin.

15th Sept , 2005.

Yes true, we had heard rumors abt it.. every1 had met atleast 1 guy / gal who had told them the horror stories abt those bad old days..
Today seemed like a routine day.. the same installation problems.. The same nervous chatter, the same issues ..Software life was so predictable.. or so we thought.

Lunch time .. I can see that there is a nervous excitement all around.. something big is going to happen.. but nobody exactly knows what. We know that our client is not doing so well.. there are speculations of a "layoff" ..

& sure enough .. 1 by 1 messages started pouring in that some of our team mates had got mails..
" Please lock your machines & assemble at the terrace at 2.30 Pm. This message is intended just for you. Please do not share it with anyone. We have an important message to share with you. " .......
100 employees were laid off today.. I was not among them.. most were not so lucky.. (or unlucky?) ..

The 1s spared didn't know how to react? you tell me how should one react? do u feel happy bcos u have been spared? .. or do u feel scared that it could be you tomorrow? .. or do u feel sad for the employees who u will not be seeing from tomorrow.. All access cards stopped working , all emails blocked.. It was that Black thursday .. My first experience with a layoff..

There were question marks all around.. some in tears .. some saying their good byes.. some furious at the injustice.. many employess laid off had joined just 2 months back..

Life had been so secure.. I felt I could achieve anything.. I knew i had talent.. So many plans.. But in the end ... does it really make sense?

There are empty cubicles all around.. no more jokes to be shared across cubicles.. no more lunch mates.. ....

There is another release to complete, another deadline to meet. .. Life goes on............... . . . . . . .