The layoffs have begun
I voted this morning. By sometime tonight, if democracy functions, we should have a new president-elect. And none too soon. The economy's in the Dumpster, and our employers need to know someone out there has a plan to fish us out.
I write this as I hear from a dear friend that she's been laid off. Time Inc. announced impending changes recently (here on All Things Digital's Media Memo), including a reported 600 layoffs. Since then, the company-wide memos have arrived with creepy frequency in our inboxes, as yet another top executive retires or steps aside to make way for a massive reorg. Only the big heads have been rolling here at headquarters, but apparently some layoffs have begun at our sister publications based elsewhere.
Other employers are starting to get mean, too. Starbucks, long heralded as a fair employer that called baristas "partners," is starting to sound like Wal-Mart. According to Slate's Big Money today,
This new "philosophy" is called "Optimal Scheduling," and it requires that "partners" (Starbucks-speak for employees) must dramatically increase their own flexibility. If they'd like to work full time, they must be available to work 70 percent of open store hours.
Sounds like good news to many workers who want to increase their hours anyway. Here's the catch: even if they totally clear their schedules, Starbucks guarantees them nothing.
What's going on where you work? Is the boss putting away his jar of candy and pulling out the rat poison?
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1
Holiday party canceled via email. Subject line read: "Holiday party canceled but..." Text of email invited all employees to a pot luck holiday lunch in our offices, a huge step down from the lavish dinners at top restaurants that we enjoyed in the past. Thankfully, boss is supplying drinks, including the alcoholic kind. I heard a rumor that karoke will also be involved - not too excited about that prospect
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2
As someone who just got laid off last week, I could be really bitter and crazy and angry. I could be planning to drop a bag of flaming poo on my boss' doorstep right about now. But, I'm not. This is a crappy economy; this kind of stuff happens. I can deal with it.
What I AM sorely disappointed about, however, was the way in which I got the ax. In a quick phone call from my editor in chief, which lasted no more than one minute, I was told that my "position got cut" and that she "was sorry." That was it. No "Thank you for all your hard work and service", no "You did a great job", no nothing. Just, basically, GET OUT.
You'd think the least an employer could do was at hack you off in the most graceful way possible. Is that too much to ask for taking away the livelihood of a dedicated employee? Did business manners get thrown into the dumpster along with the economy?
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3
Skimhead: yuck. But at least you got a phone call. Your boss had to pick up the phone and dial. Remember Radioshack? The e-mail layoffs? Next, I think, is layoff by text.
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4
Hi Lisa. What is most interesting about the flex time that Starbucks mentions is how it makes it infinitely more difficult for parents. How do you effectively manage the lives of your children, set expectations and meet them, and ensure that you have as little stress as possible when, from week to week, your hours may change dramatically.
Perhaps there are many workers that like this, but I haven't heard their side of things yet. I don't mind companies changing their policies to increase profitability - that is what they SHOULD be doing. But not at the expense of their employees' family.
Have a nice day.
-Dan
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