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It's probably like all occasions where you have to give someone bad news or deal with someone getting bad news. It usually isn't easy firing someone -- so that's kind of a logical thing to say.
The problem is - there isn't much to be said. Being inventive and clever might make it worse.
It's like ripping off a band-aid....it's much better to get it over with. When I was let go, the guy just went on and on about how other people had been let go and generally realized later on that they were better off elsewhere. "Just not a fit..." and so on.
Bigger companies seem to have more standardized ways of doing it, I've heard of accounting firms where the partner essentially reads a script to the person, then leaves the room so HR can handle the details. I would prefer just being taken aside and being told, "Hey, it's just not working out...."
Nine times out of ten, the person sees it coming well in advance [or at least should be able to see it], so I don't really see a need to spend a lot of time trying to cushion the blow. My last job I spent nearly three months spinning my wheels, waiting for the bureaucracy to finally get around to letting me go [under their system, your performance was only evaluated up to a certain date so after that passed there was nothing I could do to change anything.]
It's like ripping off a band-aid....it's much better to get it over with. When I was let go, the guy just went on and on about how other people had been let go and generally realized later on that they were better off elsewhere. "Just not a fit..." and so on.
Bigger companies seem to have more standardized ways of doing it, I've heard of accounting firms where the partner essentially reads a script to the person, then leaves the room so HR can handle the details. I would prefer just being taken aside and being told, "Hey, it's just not working out...."
Nine times out of ten, the person sees it coming well in advance [or at least should be able to see it], so I don't really see a need to spend a lot of time trying to cushion the blow. My last job I spent nearly three months spinning my wheels, waiting for the bureaucracy to finally get around to letting me go [under their system, your performance was only evaluated up to a certain date so after that passed there was nothing I could do to change anything.]
I totally agree! You definitely know it's coming, it's just the "when" that can drive you nuts. When I got laid off from a job before, there were a few, I was low on the totem pole, knew it was coming but my co-worker (and friend) called the night before to warn me it was coming down the next day so I would be prepared. She got the layoff notice about a month later LOL
If you have heard that line three times, you need to ask yourself why me! Sorry but the cream always rises to the top, if you know what i mean.
Dick
Yep, have to agree.
I've done a variety of jobs from customer service to teaching and never once been laid off because I have outperformed the others.
Some people are just unlucky these days with massive layoffs, but prior to the recession, I think if you were laid off 3 times you probably either slacked off, had an attitude or just didn't perform well enough to keep you aboard.
Sometimes we just don't fit in to a company or corporation but 3 times seems excessive. Are you anticipating #4?
When i was laid off last year....the president an the HR manager came in. She just said I have to talk to you....excused my co worker...and then said 'we are going to have to lay you off'. Some choose to soften the blow before, some choose to soften after, and then some do both. The scripts just make sure the person doesn't say the wrong thing during the process vs. saying the right thing.
Everyone reacts different when they find out they are losing a job. In my case, I knew it was coming because there had been several rounds of layoff prior. One thing that also affects layoffs is how likely the person would be to file a lawsuit or complain to the ACLU. Employers will be extra careful with those over 40, females, minority groups, etc. In my cause I didn't fit any of those criteria and co workers did so I was the least risk to them. Also, they gave me a severance package and had me sign a waiver saying I wasn't going to sue them for discrimination.
There are a lot of good layoff signs...usually your gut will tell you when it is coming...but you can't worry about it or the negativity will take over and you will drive yourself crazy.
Yep, have to agree.
I've done a variety of jobs from customer service to teaching and never once been laid off because I have outperformed the others.
Some people are just unlucky these days with massive layoffs, but prior to the recession, I think if you were laid off 3 times you probably either slacked off, had an attitude or just didn't perform well enough to keep you aboard.
Sometimes we just don't fit in to a company or corporation but 3 times seems excessive. Are you anticipating #4?
The first layoff was because of a restructure
The second layoff was because of a decrease in Funding
The last layoff was due to performance and I knew why my performance was low because I spent too much time on the web inside of my office
So the last layoff changed me forever and I'm no longer a leave at 4:59 type of employee. And no I'm not anticipating number 4, the TV show made me think of a layoff script.
When the layoffs (6000) hit the company that I was with, all employees were scheduled for a 5 minute meeting or phone call with their direct manager. It always started off with something to the affect that "As you know, we're going through a restructuring and . . ." The words you waited to hear were "your position has been affected" or "your position has not been affected."
And yes, the notice was scripted to avoid potential lawsuits. Whatever came after the statement was not scripted.
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