Company "Organizational Efficiency" aka downsizing

[guppie01 0]

So, the company that I work for made an announcement back in early February that an organizational efficiency program was to be put into place to "prepare" our company for that ever impending "dark cloud" in the future. The team assembled to this task named the project CORE.

The office I work in for the most part has taken a positive, light approach to the whole program and we joke quite often.... comments like: "I don't want to be CORE`d," or creating buttons that state "I've been CORE`d." We talked of bringing in apples for monthly meetings. We've even discussed buying Care Bears for the team tasked with firing everyone.

Anyway, the final day is here tomorrow, and although I've been assured my job is safe, I am very nervous and a bit sad. Many of those who will be laid off I've worked closely with for the past 6 years, shared family photo's, supported, and a few I would call friend.

I've got a lot of noise in my head right now; mixture of feelings, wishing I could do something, what to say to those being laid off.... ACK

I know there are so many companies out there going through the same process - this isn't anything new, but I'm just really beside myself today.

Any words of wisdom????

g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[AggieDave 6]

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Any words of wisdom????

Are any of your co-workers or friends really into guns?

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[guppie01 0]

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Any words of wisdom????

Are any of your co-workers or friends really into guns?

Funny.... my boss mentioned something towards the fact that most companies notify employees they will be let go on Fridays - it supposedly is to keep employees from going postal. Who knows....

g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[LisaH 0]

This is exactly what happened to me. I was there for almost 8 years.

No words of widsom. It totally sucks.
There really isn't anything you can say to those let go that would help.

Be yourself!
MooOOooOoo

[futuredivot 0]

Show compassion to those who are making the choice on who goes. I've been there and went home throwing up for 3 days straight having to take someone's job away

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[guppie01 0]

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Show compassion to those who are making the choice on who goes. I've been there and went home throwing up for 3 days straight having to take someone's job away

We have talked about that... and NONE of use would like to be in those shoes.

g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[NWFlyer 2]

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There really isn't anything you can say to those let go that would help.

Having been on the "other side," I'm inclined to agree, and letting that person drive how they want to leave is key. As hard as it is on those "left behind," it's harder on those who are leaving, so you can't make it about you and how you feel - if they want to say goodbye to everyone, that's great. If they want to leave quietly because they're upset and don't want to break down in front of everyone, you have to respect that, too.

If you do feel you have a friendship with people who are laid off, I'd encourage you to reach out in a few days. Nothing makes a layoff feel more cold and impersonal than realizing after you left that it really was "just business" when you don't hear from a single person you used to work with. It's understandable that the managers who laid you off keep you at arms' length. But if these folks are your peers and you feel like you're friends ... drop an email in a couple days to say "hey, I'm thinking about you. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help out." You don't need to be overly sympathetic - anything you say may bring out some bitterness because, after all - you still have your job, so to them you may become a symbol of their resentment.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[LisaH 0]

Nothing makes a layoff feel more cold and impersonal than realizing after you left that it really was "just business" when you don't hear from a single person you used to work with. It's understandable that the managers who laid you off keep you at arms' length. But if these folks are your peers and you feel like you're friends ... drop an email in a couple days to say "hey, I'm thinking about you. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help out." You don't need to be overly sympathetic - anything you say may bring out some bitterness because, after all - you still have your job, so to them you may become a symbol of their resentment.
____________________________

Well said!

I resented the entire staff because they knew before I did and nobody said anything. So much for 'friends' in the office place.

Be yourself!
MooOOooOoo

[NWFlyer 2]

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I resented the entire staff because they knew before I did and nobody said anything. So much for 'friends' in the office place.

Well, that's a tough situation to be put in because they may have been told to keep their mouths shut, and layoff information really should come through official channels, as much as it sucks to get that information... getting it through the rumor mill is probably worse. But ... people can still reach out after you've found out and let you know that they care and they'd like to help.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[LisaH 0]

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I resented the entire staff because they knew before I did and nobody said anything. So much for 'friends' in the office place.

Well, that's a tough situation to be put in because they may have been told to keep their mouths shut, and layoff information really should come through official channels, as much as it sucks to get that information... getting it through the rumor mill is probably worse. But ... people can still reach out after you've found out and let you know that they care and they'd like to help.

I did get a little chuckle out of watching everyone avoiding eye contact with me when I was packing up my office. Sheesh, I lost my job. I don't have cooties.

Be yourself!
MooOOooOoo

[CSpenceFLY 1]

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Any words of wisdom????

Work like you need your job. Many people just act like they need the pay check.

[ladydyver 0]

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So, the company that I work for made an announcement back in early February that an organizational efficiency program was to be put into place to "prepare" our company for that ever impending "dark cloud" in the future. The team assembled to this task named the project CORE.

The office I work in for the most part has taken a positive, light approach to the whole program and we joke quite often.... comments like: "I don't want to be CORE`d," or creating buttons that state "I've been CORE`d." We talked of bringing in apples for monthly meetings. We've even discussed buying Care Bears for the team tasked with firing everyone.

Anyway, the final day is here tomorrow, and although I've been assured my job is safe, I am very nervous and a bit sad. Many of those who will be laid off I've worked closely with for the past 6 years, shared family photo's, supported, and a few I would call friend.

I've got a lot of noise in my head right now; mixture of feelings, wishing I could do something, what to say to those being laid off.... ACK

I know there are so many companies out there going through the same process - this isn't anything new, but I'm just really beside myself today.

Any words of wisdom????

g

hugs sweetie...no matter what I know that you will be fine....faith...remember....have faith.

DPH # 2
"I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~
I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc!

[denete 3]

I'm surprised that it isn't happening on a Friday. You might want to take the day off.

SCR #14809

"our attitude is the thing most capable of keeping us safe"
(look, grab, look, grab, peel, punch, punch, arch)

[BIGUN 1,326]

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I'd encourage you to reach out in a few days. Nothing makes a layoff feel more cold and impersonal than realizing after you left that it really was "just business" when you don't hear from a single person you used to work with.

My brother-in-law gets laid off from a large police department after ten years of being on patrol. Not ONE of his brothers in blue that stayed on the force even gave him a call. That made him the angriest of anything. Supposedly, his brothers who "had his back" all those years thought he caught a plague of some kind. The others that were "laid off" rallied on occasion, but eventually drifted away to other jobs or left the area.

SO... I couldn't agree with your recommendation more.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[tkhayes 348]

When I worked for IBM, I got pretty tired of the saying 'work smarter, not harder'

corporate lingo like that just make employees roll their eyes and do little for morale or productivity.

[simplyputsi 0]

hide all your papers, tie down your monitors

don't let this happen to you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScyR6fPr1m8&feature=related

Skymama's #2 stalker -

[Broke 0]

I think it is time for an office space party with much consumption of alcohol.

Divot your source for all things Hillbilly.
Anvil Brother 84
SCR 14192

[guppie01 0]

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I think it is time for an office space party with much consumption of alcohol.

coming out from the dust of the storm...

All the notices have been given out, our office was saved - no one will leave. However our HQ office was hit pretty hard. Everyone is being pretty tight lipped, but from what I've heard they had to close the office early b/c everyone left after their notice. We will receive the official word on the damage, er um, new organization tomorrow via a pre-recorded DVD that was sent to us.

Also from what I hear everyone was offered a decent severance, some will not be let go until March of 09, most by December of 08.

This sucks!

g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[livendive 8]

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This is exactly what happened to me. I was there for almost 8 years.

No words of widsom. It totally sucks.
There really isn't anything you can say to those let go that would help.

It hasn't been quite 5 years since I posted this thread. Being laid off was perhaps the best thing that ever happened to me professionally. I now draw a salary that is almost exactly twice what I made at the time I was laid off, and do much more interesting and rewarding work to boot. I've found that I'm not so inclined to make friends at work now, but still keep in regular contact with the closest friends I made at my previous place of employment. All in all, getting laid off rocked.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[itllclear 1]

I was fortunate that I knew about enough skeletons to be let go on my terms 10 1/2 years ago.

Best thing that ever happened to me.

Now when I get in my car to go to work in the morning I feel like a nympho working in a whorehouse.

People have 2 choices when laid off -- to see themselves as victims or to look at the situation as an opportunity.

Hopefully most have been planning their finances to give themselves some breathing time.

Glad you're OK.

Blue Skies!

Harry

"Harry, why did you land all the way out there? Nobody else landed out there."

"Your statement answered your question."