When news of the takeover by city-based telecom giant Tech Mahindra reached Satyam employees, their elation knew no bounds. However, the mood at Tech Mahindra was quite the contrary as some staffers battled doubts over the acquisition of a company double its size (Tech Mahindra has around 23,000 staffers while Satyam has over 43,000). The apprehension stems from not knowing what the takeover means for them professionally.

“We’ve been told to stop running the race and prepare for the marathon that lies ahead,” says Manish, a Tech Mahindra employee. “Though we are obviously excited at the prospect of the acquisition, we are also concerned about the fallout in terms of absorption of Satyam employees.”

Talks in Tech Mahindra campus range from it having raised Rs 275 crore via short-term debt for the takeover, the regulatory approval to acquire the beleaguered company still awaited and what it will be like to be physically swamped by a huge number of Satyam staffers.

“I’m feeling a bit insecure. First, Satyam is a huge company and with recession already on and so many more employees coming in, it makes matters tougher,” says Preeti, from the city Tech Mahindra campus. “If the economy looks up over the next year, it’ll be good news for us; if not, then things might not be that rosy,” she sums up the feeling of many others.

While Tech Mahindra’s expertise lies in telecom, Satyam is more diversified, with interests in banking, finance, SAP and telecom. Ankit, who recently joined Tech Mahindra, says the ‘fear factor’ for most employees is that Satyam staffers will be ready to work at lesser pay. “This adds to the apprehension about job prospects,” he says.

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