The Layoffs Hit Home
My aunt got laid off today from the business she worked at for 38 years.
There was no warning. She went to work as usual and then got called into a supervisor's office and told in a pretty cold and matter-of-fact manner that her job had been eliminated. Her responsibilities were folded into another person's job. They even had the nerve to ask my aunt if she'd help train this person. Yes, she refused. My aunt said the woman who fired her acted shocked when she told her she was immediately going home.
38 years and... poof. Just like that. It's trifling because you know they could've told her eons ago that it might happen. They could have pulled her aside and given her a little bit of warning that the layoff might come. But no, I guess that would be the decent thing to do.
My aunt is hoping she can take an early retirement because, although life isn't over for her, realistically, there aren't a lot of options for her due to her age. Most businesses aren't trying to hire a black, female 60 year-old and pay them what their experience demands.
I was talking to my sister about how hard it is to prove that you've been let go because of your age (or race or gender). That higher salary due to your experience can certainly be seen as a liability in a time of cost-cutting. People are so focused on the bottom line that they're thinking they could probably hire two brand-new young people to do the job for less than what they were paying my aunt. Seniority and experience are valued until you have to pay an employee with 38 years under their belt more money.
And, of course, sometimes new employees can be easier to "get over" on. A veteran employee has been around the block a few times and knows the history because they've been there. A manager can't just tell them anything and everything and expect a veteran employee to believe them and blindly follow directions without challenging a decision or asking tough questions.
Yes, these layoffs are certainly hitting us all. I hope my aunt can take the early retirement. If she can't, what happens to her now?
There was no warning. She went to work as usual and then got called into a supervisor's office and told in a pretty cold and matter-of-fact manner that her job had been eliminated. Her responsibilities were folded into another person's job. They even had the nerve to ask my aunt if she'd help train this person. Yes, she refused. My aunt said the woman who fired her acted shocked when she told her she was immediately going home.
38 years and... poof. Just like that. It's trifling because you know they could've told her eons ago that it might happen. They could have pulled her aside and given her a little bit of warning that the layoff might come. But no, I guess that would be the decent thing to do.
My aunt is hoping she can take an early retirement because, although life isn't over for her, realistically, there aren't a lot of options for her due to her age. Most businesses aren't trying to hire a black, female 60 year-old and pay them what their experience demands.
I was talking to my sister about how hard it is to prove that you've been let go because of your age (or race or gender). That higher salary due to your experience can certainly be seen as a liability in a time of cost-cutting. People are so focused on the bottom line that they're thinking they could probably hire two brand-new young people to do the job for less than what they were paying my aunt. Seniority and experience are valued until you have to pay an employee with 38 years under their belt more money.
And, of course, sometimes new employees can be easier to "get over" on. A veteran employee has been around the block a few times and knows the history because they've been there. A manager can't just tell them anything and everything and expect a veteran employee to believe them and blindly follow directions without challenging a decision or asking tough questions.
Yes, these layoffs are certainly hitting us all. I hope my aunt can take the early retirement. If she can't, what happens to her now?
Comments
Locally, one company let 400 people go last week. My wife's company let go 50% of their employees, and then their parent company let go 140 people last Friday.
Unfortunately, it's rampant and it's everywhere...
Ugh! The whole thing makes me sick!
I hope your aunt is able to take early retirement, too. I'm close to her age and I can't even imagine the horror of trying to find a job in this climate - and at this age.
~*
I'm sorry to hear of your aunt’s lay-off. Companies are pretty ruthless when it comes to ending someone’s employment and there are people who refuse to be trifled with like that.
Have you heard about the guy here in the Bay area that just this past week was laid-off and went back and shot his boss and two others? They just caught him over the weekend. Taking someone’s livelihood can lead to very serious situations.
Here is the link to the story:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_10987100?source=most_emailed
But it must be a terrible experience for your aunt, suddenly getting the push after so long. I've been made redundant twice myself, and it's hard to deal with.
Is your wife's job alright? I remember seeing the unemployment numbers last month and the number of people who lost a job in October was insane. It is all over the place, that's for sure.
Citizen,
This is an incredibly hard time to get laid off. And with winter and gas bills coming. I sure hope this can be turned around by the next administration. I worry it's gonna get worse before it gets better though.
Nerd Girl,
Go on ahead and be religious! You don't have to apologize for that ever. I know what you mean about needing that prayer to get you going and keep you going. Without that inspiration, there's too much to weigh your spirit down.
Chani,
Seriously, I can't even imagine how hard it would be to find a job at that age. It sometimes seems like folks just want to hire 25 year-olds who have no other life, no kids, no spouse/partner, nothing to "distract" them from putting in long hours.
Cyndee,
She sounded ok when I talked to her. Mad, but ok. No tears, that's for sure. It could be the best thing to happen to her.
BZ,
It is definitely going around. I was so shocked when I heard about DHL. I actually like them WAY better than UPS!
Jameil,
You know! I'm sure some people might think that training your replacement is taking the higher road, but for real, that's just a slap in the face to even ask.
Mes,
Yes, I heard about that! I hope more of those sorts of incidences don't happen, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do. It's just terrible though. Really is.
Faith,
Folks with MBAs looking for exec. asst. positions? Wowzer. With all the people citigroup is laying off, and all the other financial houses, I'm sure there has to be a whole lot of that. You just get in where you fit in so you have some income coming in. Sigh.
Nick,
The bankers were the executors of all the greedy ideas, that's for sure. I wonder if, with all the cuts that are going on, if the executives where she worked will still get the same salary and if any of them will get axed. We're seeing the extremes of wealth and poverty and rampant materialism playing out. After all this, how can anyone believe that what they do doesn't affect anybody else. What happens to one impacts the other eventually.
Jessalyn,
I hope she can as well. I have to give her a call this weekend to see what develops.
I never even thought about the whole race, gender or age issues, but there really is no way to tell.
I hope that she can find something interim. Things suck right now.