Well, I still have a job. But 650 people across the country at the company I work for do not. In the interest of not revealing anything more about where I work (though I suppose it’s not hard to figure out – I just don’t want to put the google-able clues on the interweb), I shall stop here and just say that it sucks. Also, the elimination of that much work means that a cull in my department is likely not too far behind. Now it’ sjust a matter of whether they’ll drop any contract employees, or keep our low-paid butts in chairs and try to buy out the employees who have longer tenure, higher wages, and fat pension plans.
Counsellors were on hand if anyone wanted to talk, and we were all given the rest of the day off to absorb the news. It’s making my workplace a pretty depressing place to be these days, and it’s making me reconsider how long I want to stay there. If things keep going the way they have been – my answer is “not very much longer.”
Also, you don’t make the corporate decision to shut down essentially 50% of your business overnight, and waiting until 10 days before Christmas to break the news is a pretty shitty way to treat people as far as I’m concerned. Severance packages or not.
I may think better of putting this part out there later – but for now I’ll say that I really can’t think very highly of a company that has so little disregard for the people that make it run on a daily basis. If I don’t respect my employer, I have a hard time feeling good about going in to do my job every day just to put money in their pockets. I have enough personal pride that I won’t do a bad job – but in this situation, I doubt I’d do my best job, and I’d rather do my best for a company that I feel respects me, even a little. So if anyone has any leads… send them my way. I think my time at my current workplace is going to end sooner rather than later – by my choice or theirs.
Chris: Because Christmas isn’t just for kids.
It’s not just about consumerism and buying people presents. It’s about being with your family or those that you love. Getting fired can really put a damper on that.
If I’m busy trying to celebrate the holiday season, I’d rather not have to panic about where my next paycheque is coming from. If you don’t celebrate, that’s fine — personally, I think you’re missing out, but whatever works for you. But just because I don’t have kids doesn’t mean that Christmas isn’t special to me, too.
And if being a kid is the only reason anyone should enjoy Christmas, then I want to be a kid again. 🙂
I’ve been there…and no one seems to understand that its almost as tough on the people left behind as it is on the people who are being let go. I’ve been on both sides and frankly, I think I was a little bit more relieved when they just laid me off.
I don’t celebrate Christmas, so if I got fired at Christmas I wouldn’t feel it was any more heartless or evil than if I got fired in March. I don’t plan to get my kids all hyped up on the holiday season – I’ll get them gifts, but not necessarily on the day dictated to me by the calendar.
For those with no children, those who don’t celebrate Christmas, or those with children too old / young to “need” christmas gifts, I don’t see how getting fired at Christmas would be any worse than getting fired on any other day. It sucks, and mass layoffs even more so, but it’s hardly the most heartless thing in the world.
Never trust people from states that begin with ‘M’
Technically the capital company made the decision – but the capital company has peppered the board of directors and executive with their own people. Essentailly the capital company *is* running the (now independent) company I work for. Either way, it’s heartless and it sucks. Apparrently it’s that particular capital company’s style though.
*hug*
Well, it wasnt really the company’s decision… its just the way it seems. The decision was made outside of Canada by the capital firm which controls the company.
It still sucks.
Hey, send me your resume. (not to the email address listed here, of course). I don’t have any openings with my company right now, but by the time you need a job I might, and I have no idea whether you’d be a fit or not. It’s worth a try, eh?
That’s horrible! You’re right, it completely kills morale, and really…right before Christmas?!?! How heartless can it be??
Oooh, peechie, that sucks! I’m so sorry! 🙁
I am so with you right now, on the whole job sucking thing. It does bode well (imo) that your contract got renewed. I’m just sorry that a whole shitload of peeps had to get let go.
I worked in HR at a large telecommunications company a few years ago, when they had a major downsizing. It sure wasn’t fun knowing in advance that my friends and colleagues were going to get canned. Oh yeah, and we’ve been there too, haven’t we? 😉
Anyways, hang in there! Love ya!
ouch. :/
American Greetings did the same thing last week. 300 jobs, including a friend of mine…
It totally kills morale when you cut that many jobs. Hell, one person gets laid off, and it’s kind of depressing. But do it around Christmas, and you’re just fucking with peoples lives. I hate that.