RE: Layoffs-puzzling question

["Dugas, Andrew" <ADugas -at- eTranslate -dot- com>]

I was laid off recently. When I came back on a later day to get some stuff,
I found I needed to be escorted through the hallways where I once roamed
free.

But I didn't take it personally. It was just policy to avoid the rare act of
vengeance. The person escorting me trusted me completely, but had to follow
the policy. She felt as uncomfortable with it as I did, but we both chuckled
about it. 

The point of having such a policy is prevention, not cruelty, and as policy
it ensures that all exiting employees receive equal treatment. For example,
if one well-liked person retained free reign while another, less popular
coworker was escorted physically from the building... Well, that would seem
pretty personal and unfair. (Maybe even actionable. Any workplace lawyers
out there tuning in?)

Policy is impersonal, whether it's flushing the toilet when you're done or
being escorted in the building. 

Criticize it, point out its absurdities, whatever. But wouldn't take it
personally. 

Andy



-----Original Message-----
From: Erika Yanovich [mailto:ERIKA_y -at- Rad -dot- co -dot- il]
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 2:01 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Layoffs-puzzling question


I've been reading all these postings about layoffs and I am amazed about the
cruelty of some employers. I believe here in Israel we have less cruel
stories, although lately some layoffs resemble the US ones. The puzzling
question is how come employers who trusted their employees for x number of
years relate to them suddenly as potential troublemakers and not allow them
to access their computers anymore or even say goodbye to their collegues. I
understand that some people could delete files or do other damages, but I
think these cases are so rare that they really do not warrant treating
everyone badly. Am I right?

We recently went through a layoff and I was on the management side. We tried
to make it as humane as possible (although that is never enough). These
people feel bad enough as it is so why also treat them badly?

Erika


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