Going away party for people who were forced out (employee, secretary, work)

[animalcrazy]

There was an "early retirement " party for me last boss where I last worked. He had told me that he was going to work until age 65. He was 62 when he was forced out. It was horribly sad and that's when I knew my days were numbered as well. I left about 3 months later. "Early retirement" seems to be the new buzz word for pushing out older employees. The new manager was half his age. I saw it happen at another job I had with a manager in his late 50's. His job was eliminated and the department heaped on another manager.

[jackmccullough]

If the laid-off employees are willing to go then maybe they're not taking it as personally as some people would.

[adams_aj]

My last company had a going-away party for me--after I was gone!

Seriously, I have seen so much "unevenness" as to when parties are thrown. Had a young guy leave after just a couple of years have a huge pizza party thrown for him which was widely announced. I had a cake in a tiny conference room pretty much unannounced. Which was fine: I didn't really want a fuss. But really: who decides? It's so arbitrary.

[Disgustedman]

Go and hopefully they'll get drunk and let everyone know the interesting proclivities of certain managers.

[LowonLuck]

My company has done these types of events.

[j7r6s]

We recently had one here in the office, during office hours. The lay off decisions came from the corporate headquarters in another state, and those affected got several months notice, so there were no hard feelings among anyone here. There was no awkwardness.

[AlmostSeniorinNJ]

Originally Posted by cfbs2691

If it was about downsizing - I've gone to parties in that situation.
If the company needs to downsize to stay afloat... as much as it stinks.. you can't take that personally.

Except often times these days, companies aren't downsizing to keep the company afloat, they are downsizing to keep the CEO's yacht afloat.

[NYCresident2014]

My (now former) employer just went through a major downsizing in connection with being acquired. I worked at the former headquarters location and the entire location was shut down, with layoffs occurring in waves. My end date was 6 months after the deal closed, but some groups were 1 month after, 3 months after, etc. By the time it got to my group there many of us left.

There was a happy hour nearly every week for people who were leaving, but in each department, the department itself threw a party right before the first layoff for the department. We had ours at 5 months; it was bittersweet.

Weird times.

[PJSaturn]

Originally Posted by j7r6s

We recently had one here in the office, during office hours. The lay off decisions came from the corporate headquarters in another state, and those affected got several months notice, so there were no hard feelings among anyone here. There was no awkwardness.

This ^ happened at the company where my sister used to work. Those being let go were given decent severance packages and a going-away party. The company made it at painless as possible for those leaving.

OP, don't give credence to things you hear "through the grapevine." You don't know all the facts. Even though the employees don't want to leave, they apparently have remained civil and have worked out an exit plan with the employer. I suspect it's their choice whether to attend the party or not, but it makes no sense to burn bridges by rudely refusing not to attend.

Ignore the rumors, go to the party if you want to, enjoy the free appetizers and say goodbye to your fellow employees. Or not.

.

[breakingbad]

Originally Posted by Cream1

I think you misheard, it's a "Go Away" party

Lol! That is what I was thinking!