In a complete reversal of it’s earlier decision to terminate services of almost 1,900 employees, Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal announced a total reinstatement of the sacked employees, asking them all to report to work on Friday morning.

Even as he distanced himself personally from the decision to sack them in the first place, saying his management team was only following his brief to rationalise costs, it is unthinkable that the head of an organisation can remain blissfully unaware / uninformed about firing so many employees at one go.

The sacked employees were also overjoyed with the announcement, saying “We are all extremely pleased and thankful. We had always wanted to work with Naresh Goyal. We apologize if we hurt his sentiments during the protests,” .

 So sweeeeeeet. And all’s well that ends well. Bullshit !

Firstly, in terms of HR and public relations, this entire episode was a total fiasco from start to finish, and they would have done well to handle it in a much better fashion than they did. After all, in today’s world, Jet would not be the first company to lay off employees on a large scale.

 While every company has the right to decide how they ought to rationalise costs, reducing manpower in such an arbitrary fashion sends out disturbing signals, to those within as well as the world outside. The manner in which this decision was communicated to the employees also left a lot to be desired. I heard some were even informed via an SMS, though I don’t know if that is correct.

I’m also not sure how motivated or loyal these employees will now be, having faced the brunt of the management’s cost cutting actions. Quite likely, these reinstated employees may now actively look for jobs while still employed with Jet, knowing the axe could still fall on them in the not too distant future.

Naresh Goyal must be smarting at the pressure that was brought to bear on him (even though he denied any political influence), and he would have already chalked out a plan to reduce his workforce, albeit in a more staggered and “friendly” manner, slowly and quietly, so it doesn’t raise a ruckus. I’m guessing the reason given to such employees will be ”below par performance” !

This story has certainly not ended yet !!