Posted by
Dr. K on Saturday, November 22, 2008 1:29:31 PM
I was walking around the Old Colorado City shopping district before I went to the Old Colorado City writer's meetup group when I saw two of my former colleagues sitting at a window table at a restaurant. They saw me as well. I went in to see them. The situation at my former employer is not good. The powers that be announced that 38 more jobs will be cut on January 15, 2009. This reduction in force has nothing to do with the current financial crisis or the general downturn in the economy. This reduction was planned long ago as a result of off-shoring processes to India and the Philippines. I have already dealt with the elimination of my position, separation and final termination. My colleagues said that I was missed. Morale is low amid concerns about the coming cuts. I'm glad I have already dealt with the emotional, intellectual, and work related issues of being laid off.
I now see the corporate entity as Gort, the robot in the 1950s sci-fi film The Day the Earth Stood Still. What would I say to my former co-workers on how to deal with Gort. You can't argue with him. He has no empathy, sympathy, compassion, regret, or feelings. Gort does what the corporate entity wants done regardless of consequences. So to my colleagues I would say: Forget trying to figure out why your job was eliminated. Gort won't answer. And he doesn't care. Your position had become redundant, irrelevant, no longer cost effective. This view point is held regardless of your experience, education, dedication, work ethic, ownership of the product or team effort. Gort does not care. And, to quote Michael Corlione from the first Godfather movie: "It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business." So don't take it personally even though it affects you, personally. When you walk away from your work station with your personal items don't forget that you are also walking away with years of experience and knowledge. You are leaving behind the bond with your colleagues. This in turn shatters a piece of that holistic endeavor to produce a product. This is called teamwork and ownership of the product. Gort doesn't care.
Another thing I would tell my former colleagues: Never assume that the people, the suits in charge standing in front of you, the bearers of sad tidings, have their stuff together. It is far better to have your own stuff together and know what you are doing than to think that those making the decisions and giving Gort his orders are any more competent than you are. They very well may not be. See to your own house when separation comes. Take stock of all your assets and liabilities and if your severance package is large enough use some of it to reduce your financial liabilities. Then take stock of your employable assets and set your resume in order. Also find time to rest after the stress of waiting to find out whether your position would be cut. Take time to let your body absorb the shock. You will find comfort in your family and friends. No government employee will call on you, phone you or email you. Gort has no time for you and isn't interested. So you will have to take care of yourself, nurture yourself, be kind to yourself. Above all don't punish yourself. Gort, after all, didn't pass judgement, he was only carrying out orders and it's strictly business. If you have a hobbie take it up to focus your idle work energy on some activity so you still feel productive. You will find that you have been liberated from a work place where there were no more avenues of advancement anyway. You can never bring back those days of when it was a lot more fun, when there was real pride in doing a job well done. It's gone and the future beckons.
From my corner of Main Street and Beech in Rocky Ford, Colorado.
Dr. K