Pic: IMAGESBAZAAR

The restructuring of the workforce is not the best of exercises. One of the repercussions include ‘bumping', wherein an employee is slid to a position junior to the current one

Though the act of ‘bumping' does prevent unemployment of the said employee, it can leave quite a huge negative mark on the person's career and self-confidence. It is important that the employee does not allow the setback to downplay one's morale or affect his/her performance, as either can again pose disastrous consequences for his/her future in the office and even outside of it.

Arvinder Soora, HR head, Planet Retail tells us more about the concept and why it occurs, "Getting bumped is basically being moved to a lower level in the same organisation. The reasons could be several in today's time - the organisation is going through an economic crisis and cannot handle the current employment costs. Sometimes, it may also happen due to overestimating a person's capabilities during promotion or new recruitment. This is a softer stand to take and is preferred over firing people." Getting bumped can be uncomfortable for an employee and will impact his/her professional life in a very adverse manner. The problems are multiple but the said employee must gear up and cope with the situation with patience and commitment. Harinder Singh, head strategic business, Vigneshwara Developers, elaborates, "It is palpable that the morale of a bumped employee is certainly going to fall. If he/she stays with the same organisation; there would be a feeling of emotional distress and a lack of self-confidence. In case there is an exit decision in the new role also, the bumped employee shall take time to gain impetus in his/her performance. The bumped employee should take it as a challenge. Instead of being pessimistic or losing confidence in self, he/she should look for skill development and enhancement. The only way to rise again is by growing in the value chain in the existing system."

It is also essential that the organisation as well as colleagues of the bumped employee understand the delicate situation and try to boost up his/her confidence by showing their support and aid. Soora tells us what the company can do to help the employee and phase out the initial period, "The support of the organisation towards such a situation can help the employee handle this positively. Firstly, the company should be very clearly communicative of their reason for bumping the employee. Secondly, the employee should be given a clearly charted action plan with well-defined milestones and expectations using the SMART concept. Thirdly, a change of job location, department and project might help the employee to start afresh. If the change has happened due to performance issues, a positive-minded person should definitely take this up as a personal challenge to work on his/her areas of opportunities. The employee should sit with his/her supervisor and chart out a plan of action for the employee, which will also monitor the progress regularly."

Getting bumped in your career is not the end of the world. Use your skills to the fullest and you shall be back on track!

- Palak Bhatia