Is Your Academic Qualification a Reason To Be Laid Off? HR Responds

By Elizabeth Benu

“I have been working in a Logistics company in Industrial Area for five years. I am currently in a managerial position. Recently the company changed its policies and will be replacing old staff with fresh graduates. Earlier on this year they had requested us to up our academics but I have never had any plans of going back to school. I did not take the chance. I have already gained vast experienced in the company and I can’t understand why someone with higher academic qualifications should replace me yet they have no experience. Is academic qualification a ground for termination or getting laid off?” writes Emmanuel Omolo in an email.

If we were in the same shoes as Emmanuel we would be distressed. You have the relevant work experience but now your employer feels you are redundant and he wants raw talent. You have performed your best but it is time for you to go just because your academics are low.

HR Professionals give their opinion on whether academic qualification is a reason to be laid off

In a similar discussion in the Institute of Human Resource Management LinkedIn Group, Paul Mumbu, a HR Consultant, opines that workers layoff is a combination of many factors and academic is one of them.

Everlyn Mung’au, an Administration Specialist at Inabensa, adds that, “A degree is not what performs, it is the person. Besides, there isn’t only just one route to acquiring the knowledge and the practice that is required in a job.”

“In my opinion this is not right. Lack of academics does not matter as much as skills do. Academics only give you an opportunity to enhance your skills,” discourses Martin Githaiga, a Human Resource Professional.

And why would this happen to an employee? I ask

“This happens depending on the companies policies. Perhaps the company feels that that level of the job should be reserved for graduates and not for a candidate with only experience,” says Mr. Githaiga.

Why would a company change its policies to lay off the old workers on academic backgrounds?

“It depends. The company may be going through changes such a restructuring. These will make a company change to fit in with the changing times such as technological advancements,”

He however adds that layoffs are normally determined by disciplinary, financial (when the company can no longer afford you) and redundancy reasons.

Can I sue for such termination? I probe further

Mr. Githaiga says that if the company had asked that you further your studies then you cannot sue.

What advice do you have for this employee?

“For Emmanuel and other employees going through the same thing, I would advice them to look for an organisation where their experience and what they bring to the table is being appreciated. However, they should also further their studies and improve on what they have,” he concludes.

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