In 2004, computer programmers working at Boeing were downsized and replaced with foreign workers. Employees were told that “offshoring” was necessary to reduce costs and streamline services. But in a painful twist, several of these programmers were asked to train the replacements. Managers basically requested these dedicated employees to dig their own unemployment graves.
Companies say they need the knowledge workers to train replacements to ensure a seamless transition, but the practice is coming under scrutiny.
In a congressional hearing in February 2004, some lawmakers denounced the training of replacements as "unconscionable."
In November of 2008, Pfizer took flak for what critics charged was a plan to use U.S. workers to train the foreign contractors that would replace them during a years-long offshoring project. However, U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, who represents the region, sent a letter to Pfizer asking the company to reconsider laying off U.S.-based workers. Pfizer did not respond to the letter nor any follow up calls.
With increasing tough economic times, it is becoming more popular for companies to outsource jobs not only with foreign workers but also to replace long term employees for those with less experience. Employers continue to demonstrate a lack of concern for loyalty and commitment (The employee and retention handbook).
The personal trauma of this atmosphere hit home for me last week upon hearing that just such a person as the latter – a dear friend who went to work for a local hospital from college -- was laid off after 20 years of exceedingly dedicated performance. Sue (not her real name) was a middle management poster girl for this organization. She always rolled with the punches. As floor nurse, charge nurse, and unit director, Sue mentored well over half of the staff that remains on board. This woman is the most up-beat, committed, and can-do person I have known. She was callously eliminated without notice and a meager severance package. Sue was asked to train her replacements: two new graduates at a fraction of her salary.
Loyalty is definitely taking a backseat because of the changes imposed during a recession. Corporations that continue to show a displacement toward cutting cost versus retaining talent and weathering out the storm are damaging their own reputations.
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