It is tough to be laid off, but the way some companies handle the situation make it even more difficult.
Here are a couple of downsizing stories that have been in the news recently:
Even healthcare is not immune from downsizing. A nurse in the Madison area was pulled out of surgery to be told she would be losing her job. This happened at Dean’s West Clinic. Management at the clinic was told by the parent company to layoff 90 staff members immediately. Apparently one of the managers took that quite literally. Paul Pitas said the absence of a nurse did not violate any patient care procedures.
This next example was emailed to me so I don’t know if it is true or is an urban myth. It doesn’t seem all that far fetched.
A large office campus was evacuated when the fire alarm rang. Hundreds of employees poured out of the multi-building complex. The employees gathered in groups in their assigned area waiting for the signal to return to work, just like every other fire drill. The employee in charge of the drill began to deliver the following message over a loud: “Due to the ongoing recession and bad business climate, the company is laying off 50% of its staff. So when the announcement finishes I ask all of you to move back to the building. If your employee card does not give you access to the building , it means you have been laid off and will not be allowed inside the building. All of your belongings will be sent to you. The company is using this innovative approach because we do not want to clog our email system with layoff notices and farewell messages. We also wish to avoided any fighting inside the office and the security issues for all staff. We hope you had a rewarding career with us….now please move back to the building and good luck.”
Five years ago my own organization went through a down sizing. They told the lucky employees to expect a phone call from HR. So much for caring about employees. I almost had a heart attack when I got a voice mail from HR on the assigned day. It was for another issue.
We all understand companies go though tough times and may need to reduce staff numbers, but do they have to be so cruel about it. Companies using these type of heartless tactics damage the workforce they retain. They also put themselves at risk for workplace violence when they layoff employees with so little thought and caring.
Anyone else have a downsizing story they want to share? Here is your chance to vent.
For more info: Contact Chris at Summittraining@yahoo.com
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