Utility sets IT department on path to self-destruction (400 jobs to India)

Northeast Utilities tells IT employees it may shift work to overseas firm, but hasn't set deal or severance plan if it comes to it

September 23, 2013 06:00 AM ET

Northeast Utilities has told its IT employees that it is considering outsourcing tech work to India-based services providers -- a plan that puts as many as 400 IT jobs at risk.

That's a scary prospect for anyone to face, but the company, which is based in Connecticut and Massachusetts and operates New England's largest energy delivery system, is also saying that a final decision has not been made. Where does that leave the utility's IT employees and IT department?

With this move, NU may be prompting its best IT employees to head for the exits, so there's a real possibility that key positions will become vacant. A morale-crushing announcement like that must make it difficult to lead an IT organization.

The announcement also creates a situation potentially rife with IT security risks, since disgruntled employees are considered a top threat in any organization.

More: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9242565/Utility_sets_IT_department_on_path_to_self_destruction