For the Greater Corporate Good

Hate to say I told you so, but I called this one pretty accurately.

Back in the fall, our new CEO unveiled his new (rather vague) vision for the company. Yes, some positions were eliminated, but, no, more staffing cuts weren’t planned.

Well, about two weeks ago, another note from the CEO was sent around. Two product lines were cut and nine jobs were eliminated. I thought back in the fall he shouldn’t have made any comments on future cuts, and that more layoffs were possible. Turns out I was right.

His justification? The product lines were unprofitable and didn’t fit in the overall plan for the company. He may be right, but since none except the All White Males Club get to see the financials, we really don’t know how unprofitable those products were.

As for those who lost their jobs, to his credit, he did say it was hard decision. Yet in the same sentence, he went on to say that it had to be done so the company could move forward with its new strategic plan.

Ah, now I get it. Those workers were sacrificed for The Greater Corporate Good. Because in today’s business world, it’s about profits, corporate strategy and pleasing the board and shareholders. Workers? Who gives a rat’s butt about them? In our society, corporations trump actual human beings. There once was a time when companies cared about their workers. Not anymore.

On one hand, I give this CEO props for being as candid as he can be. At my former job, they told us nothing and if you asked any questions, however innocuous, you received a severe reprimand.

I also believe it was a difficult decision for him. I saw him the morning of the day the cuts were announced and he did not look happy. But if he truly felt that bad, why not find a way to keep those people employed? Just asking. I have seen many managers make some pretty amazing maneuvers to save their favorite drinking buddies and lapdogs, shifting them to other positions or giving them outright busy work to keep them employed. Many times fine, productive workers are laid off to save a manager's happy hour BFF. So I don't buy the argument that another job couldn't have been found for us.

Nevertheless, as someone who was jettisoned for The Greater Corporate Good, the whole incident makes me a bit angry and fearful. Could I be next? How many more cuts are coming? One of the people cut worked at the cubicle next to mine. He was a young guy with a young family. How painful must the layoff have been for him and his family?

The note, of course, did include a fair amount of Corporate Doublespeak. The cuts were done, so we were told, in order that the company could someday undertake future acquisitions. Well, methinks you should get your current house in order before you start thinking about expansions.

Then there was a line about “managing legacy operating systems.” To me, those are code words for: Some product lines better start showing a profit soon or more people will be out on their asses. Music to every employee’s ears.

Yet companies persist in cutting workers and justifying it for The Greater Corporate Good. But if the past decade has taught us anything it’s that any behavior can be justified, whether it’s flying a plane into an office building and killing thousands or undertaking mass layoffs. There is always a reason to justify our actions, whether good or bad, especially the bad.

Considering how many companies have cut loose employees, I’m amazed by how they bungle the process every time. Presumably, they have professional HR people who should know how to handle these situations better. Their actions have harsh real-life consequences for those laid off. How about treating us with a little dignity and gratitude for our service?

Instead, they treat us horribly and leave behind a trail of humiliated and upset laid-off workers (and whiny bloggers). I was left with the impression that after 16-plus years I was no longer of use to the company and that my salary was keeping the company from succeeding. Honestly, when I was told to pack up my desk and leave I felt like a criminal!

They also fail to take into account the impact on the remaining workers. How they feel when longtime co-workers are shown the door. How they feel about a stepped-up workload. The anxiety it causes them about their own job security.

And let me ask this: Were the salaries of those eliminated workers really dragging down the company’s profits? Is the company automatically more profitable now? How come they were useful one day and not the next, all based on some vague strategy? Will this grand plan actually work out? Or were these layoffs done in vain?

And what of this CEO’s grand plan? What happens if it doesn’t work out? At this point, they are just words on a piece of paper. In my experience plans either work out spectacularly, work out but not as great as we hope, or fail miserably. If the plan fails miserably, will the CEO take the fall and resign? (Don’t bet on it.) Or will others make the sacrifice for The Greater Corporate Good?

The whole thing stinks in my opinion. It also proves what a losing proposition it is for any worker to be loyal to any company.

So be loyal to your family, good (non-work) friends, your hairdresser, and sports team (even when they break your heart), but never, ever your employer. Your employer will cut you in a minute—all in the name of The Greater Corporate Good.