Seven Multi National Companies (from same origin) joined hands in 1992 to bridge the gap between what they want and what they get from academia at entry level. My company was one of them. Through a national advertisement prospective trainees were made to apply for a company of their preference. National test at seven locations was carried out simultaneously. Those qualified were further interviewed and finally selected.
My company had committed for two trainees. The arrangement was, for a two-year management program (not approved by AICTE), Sponsoring organization will bear all the expenses of deputed trainee/s, including monthly stipend. Also it was mandatory to absorb the trainee/s after successful completion of the course in suitable grade, in a department of his/her choice (even if there is no vacancy in that department).
SHE was selected for the first batch. Five trimesters at Mumbai and equal nos. at Pune in my company was the course structure. She was good at academics, good at grasping organizational work (although was not from engineering background). No doubt, she completed the course with flying colors. We attended the convocation function at Mumbai and congratulated her.
On her return, she signed a three-year service bond with us (part of our arrangements). She was given choice and she selected Internal Audit Department. Her qualifications and background hardly matched this choice. We tried to convince her but she was firm.
She got into Audit. Started travelling (with her male colleagues) all over India (my company had seven manufacturing locations and a network of zonal and branch offices). Feedback from her Manager was somehow not encouraging. She was carrying the baggage of her unique course and expecting special treatment. To me, it appeared that her choice of department had gone wrong. Rectification was possible, we started getting indications from her Mumbai Principal as well.
Before some steps could be taken, she stopped reporting for duties. During training, I was her reporting manager and also responsible for her leave etc. Now the scene had changed as she was our regular employee.
Routine HR processes were followed. Letters sent to her "LAST KNOWN ADDRESS." ( They bounced back since she had not updated her new address with the company.) This was breach of contract as she was to serve us for three years after the course. Now as per the condition of the contract recovery of Rupees 1,84,000/- from her (towards stipend and other expenses of her two-year program which were taken care by the company) was mandated.
Then came an idea of appointing a detective agency in Pune to get her whereabouts. Neither her address was known nor the details of her new job were known. First time in my life, I found out one such agency (about which I had only read in Detective Novels). The arrangements were worked out. (New type of agreement).
After about three weeks, the agency gave us a report about her employment. She had joined a financial firm in Camp area.
I approached her employer and narrated entire episode seeking his help. He refused to cooperate us. The last step was to file a case against her in court. ( so that it becomes a glaring example for next batches of trainees and the message is loud and clear.) We approached our advocate and filed case.
It went on for almost three years. She was hardly present for hearings. Meanwhile she left that job also.
Finally she pleaded in the court that she was ready to repay the amount with interest to the company. But since she was jobless, she cannot afford to pay few lacs of rupees in one go.
The court accepted this and ordered her to repay few hundred rupees per month.
I also left that organization after few years, but I am sure, in case she is religiously repaying, then the episode must still be going on !
My company had committed for two trainees. The arrangement was, for a two-year management program (not approved by AICTE), Sponsoring organization will bear all the expenses of deputed trainee/s, including monthly stipend. Also it was mandatory to absorb the trainee/s after successful completion of the course in suitable grade, in a department of his/her choice (even if there is no vacancy in that department).
SHE was selected for the first batch. Five trimesters at Mumbai and equal nos. at Pune in my company was the course structure. She was good at academics, good at grasping organizational work (although was not from engineering background). No doubt, she completed the course with flying colors. We attended the convocation function at Mumbai and congratulated her.
On her return, she signed a three-year service bond with us (part of our arrangements). She was given choice and she selected Internal Audit Department. Her qualifications and background hardly matched this choice. We tried to convince her but she was firm.
She got into Audit. Started travelling (with her male colleagues) all over India (my company had seven manufacturing locations and a network of zonal and branch offices). Feedback from her Manager was somehow not encouraging. She was carrying the baggage of her unique course and expecting special treatment. To me, it appeared that her choice of department had gone wrong. Rectification was possible, we started getting indications from her Mumbai Principal as well.
Before some steps could be taken, she stopped reporting for duties. During training, I was her reporting manager and also responsible for her leave etc. Now the scene had changed as she was our regular employee.
Routine HR processes were followed. Letters sent to her "LAST KNOWN ADDRESS." ( They bounced back since she had not updated her new address with the company.) This was breach of contract as she was to serve us for three years after the course. Now as per the condition of the contract recovery of Rupees 1,84,000/- from her (towards stipend and other expenses of her two-year program which were taken care by the company) was mandated.
Then came an idea of appointing a detective agency in Pune to get her whereabouts. Neither her address was known nor the details of her new job were known. First time in my life, I found out one such agency (about which I had only read in Detective Novels). The arrangements were worked out. (New type of agreement).
After about three weeks, the agency gave us a report about her employment. She had joined a financial firm in Camp area.
I approached her employer and narrated entire episode seeking his help. He refused to cooperate us. The last step was to file a case against her in court. ( so that it becomes a glaring example for next batches of trainees and the message is loud and clear.) We approached our advocate and filed case.
It went on for almost three years. She was hardly present for hearings. Meanwhile she left that job also.
Finally she pleaded in the court that she was ready to repay the amount with interest to the company. But since she was jobless, she cannot afford to pay few lacs of rupees in one go.
The court accepted this and ordered her to repay few hundred rupees per month.
I also left that organization after few years, but I am sure, in case she is religiously repaying, then the episode must still be going on !
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