Position eliminations

[Scoop]

It has been a bad week. After doing the budgeting for my departments, it was the conclusion of the company's board and myself that I needed to eliminate two positions. Another manager here had to eliminate two others. Tuesday I had to tell two people they no longer had a job here, not due to performance issues, but due to the economy and shifting business. Out of the four, one told us his wife had just been laid off at the end of February. This was harder than firing people because they did nothing to deserve being let go. <br /><br />In addition, the state of Wisconsin's budget crisis is forcing the elimination of approximately 2900 jobs, of which many will be in the same city and competing for the same jobs as the people I let go. I wish I could distance myself from the personal aspect of putting myself in their place although I know it is infinitely harder on them than me.<br /><br />I know a few of you have had your positions eliminated too. I am very sorry and hope you and the employees that I let go find new rewarding jobs soon. I didn't know my job was secure until yesterday. I was waiting for the same talk from my manager.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Position eliminations

IMHO it's the hardest part of being a manager Scoop - I've been there myself and I don't think it ever gets any easier... With the state of the world's economy there are probably a lot of other managers having to do the same thing right now.

 

[JB]

Re: Position eliminations

Yo, Scoop.<br /><br />Been there, done that. Have also been the recipient of pink slips. It sux from either side. <br /><br />If anyone wonders why managers get paid more than the typical producer, this alone is reason enough.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Position eliminations

I'm with JB Scoop, if you don't do the job at hand<br />you'll be the one with the pink slip. had to let <br />go a lot of folks I really liked over the years<br />and I really sympathize.. ain't easy!<br />be careful, folks is gonna think you have a<br />concience

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Position eliminations

Scoop.. Thats why they pay ya the big bucks. <br />and ya get big shoulders with the pay too. <br />and don't forget the alligator skin.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Position eliminations

Being self employed, I'm in a position now where I almost need to hire some help but I don't want to do it cause I would'nt have the heart to let somebody go when things got slow..<br /><br />Saw my dad get laid off after 17 years of service to the same company when I was a kid and at the time I was old enough to know what it meant..<br /><br />I feel for you Scoop.. I know thats got to be about the toughest thing in the world to have to do...

 

[OBJ]

Re: Position eliminations

Scoop...this is going to seem really calous but,,,you took the job. You knew it might happen someday. Like the other guys said, it's what your paid for. I know. I'm in the same boat. It ain't easy and never is. I get to get out of the rat race in another year or so. Be so glad. Just hang in there.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Position eliminations

I took the job and have not been sad. I knew this was part of the job when I signed on. I thought about this and the other things I would have to do before I accepted the position. I am not looking for sympathy. I wanted to let the people know this is one of the hardest things I have ever done and I feel bad for the people on the receiving end. I do have a conscience and it sucks, but if I did not do it, then I put everyone elses position in jeopardy. <br /><br />In this job I have had to deal with a lot of things. I have been to court, I have been accused of gender descrimination descrimination based on handicap and sexual orientation (these were the same person. This person wrote a letter to the CEO because I changed her title from the one she gave herself to a new one when we acquired the company she worked for. There was a full investigation). I have had to fire people for coming in under the influence, for viewing porn on the job, etc. I also had someone I helped and coached feel that I had it in for them. Two weeks after that statement, they committed suicide. <br /><br />Again, I am not sorry I took the job. I truly care about all my employees and have their best interest at heart as well the company's. I am a better person and hopefully a better manager because of the situations.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Position eliminations

Scoop, if it's any consolation, you are the kind of guy needed in management. One who cares about his people, but who will do what it takes for the overall good of the organization. I once had to deal with a shop steward who accused me of being heartless, uncaring, etc. on an almost daily basis. He later got a job as a supervisor in another company and whenever I ran into him, he would just shake his head when I smiled at him. He had seen the light and it wasn't shining on him anymore. Keep on keepin' on. It's a lot tougher to work now than it used to be.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Position eliminations

Thanks Jack.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Position eliminations

Ditto what Jack said! Everyone who has ever been laid off knows what they did to desreve it, and they strive not to repeat the behaviour next time. In this case, it's vital to have a manager who instills in them that it is nothing they have or have not done to cause this. Providing you have achieved this (and it isn't allways succesfull), you have done the best you can do for them. By all means, keep one eye out in the future, for possable possitions they could fill. You know them better than most new employers would,as to what thier capabilities are.<br />I've been on both sides too, and to this day, I resent getting laid-off when I was 17years old from a minimum-wage tennie job..Not because I got laid off, but because when I asked the shop owner why, she was quiet,except for her sobbing. She didn't TELL me she lost the buisness, and had to close up shop. I found it out later. But to this day, I'm angry she didn't say, "You were a good employee, but I just gotta cut back".<br />It traumatised me for months, as I thought I did something wrong.<br />And THAT is why I resent that shop owner to this day.<br />So, as long as you explained to them the real deal, you did an admirable job.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Position eliminations

Scoop, as others have said, you are doing a good job.<br /><br />Good managers are hard to come by.<br /><br />I know. I have had some over the past 20+ years in my business, and for the most part, all they cared about was theirself.<br /><br />I gave up on them about 5 year ago and took over doing it myself, that way I knew it got done the right way.<br /><br />Don't feel bad for doing your job.<br />I like yourself feel bad for some of the unemployed, but then there are some that would not work in a pie factory, and for them, I feel they just need to get a real life.<br /><br />Again, you are a positive role model for all current and/or future managers.