Re: Layoffs-puzzling question

Subject: Re: Layoffs-puzzling question
From: Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 10:09:32 -0700

Erika Yanovich wrote:


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?




Many people, especially if they lack self-confidence, rely on scripts to tell them what to do. They've read or heard that they are supposed to treat employees who are laid off harshly, so they do. Following the script saves them the trouble of worrying about their courses of actions or the morality of the situation. If they have any doubts, they can tell themselves that they are making the tough, but correct decision.

Other people are simply embarrassed to be firing someone, and what may sound harsh is perhaps only their attempts to hide their embarrassment. I've seen several examples of this kind of person (once when I was the person being laid off), and I almost felt as sorry for them as for the employee being let go.

--
Bruce Byfield 604.421.7177 bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com

"And we fit in your landscape as
Our six to your five senses
And the pastures close and the traveller knows
That the world's cut up by fences
To catch the gypsy."
- Ralph McTell, "Gypsy Song"


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References:
Layoffs-puzzling question: From: Erika Yanovich

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