Sounds like you work for a fast food joint

Culvers, is but isn't fast food.. Biggest problem is the management has been very soft for a while, and when i got moved up twice and moved back and forth between our two stores in the Mankato area, it was for a kickstart. About half the youngin'* hate me, and half love me. The half that hate me always need constant "guidance" show up 5-10 min late consistently, etc.

Things have started to turn around though

Not really. I've had to do it, and take it too. Just got to keep the right perspective. It'* a job, I am an employee, as are the people I'm hiring or firing. I'm paid to do something. If that something doesn't need done anymore, then my services are no longer required and I move on. Nothing to be taken personal. It'* a fine line between being cruel vs. beating yourself up over it.

Yeah, it ticks me off to hear some shmuck try to hard sell new hires with song and dance phrases (You know, those little ditties like "This Company is like Family", etc.etc.etc.) Anyone who actually believes that doesn't have their head screwed on right. It'* a job, do it well, take your pay, and keep looking for a better opportunity.

I did have one lady break down in tears while being let go after years..."but, but, I gave my life to this company..sob sob" What I really would have loved to do was smack her upside the head and say "What A Waste of Your Life! And what the heck did you do with all those bonus checks you got when times were good?" All good things come to an end.

At least your owners did right and tried to offer them some relief. With the layoff, they have to coast along for a little and file for unemployment. It'* not much in Florida, but it'* something. With any luck things will pick up again and they can be hired back.

To me, there is a difference between a job and a career. I find that a lot of time'* people that take a lot of pride in there work do much better than those that don't. I say this from Supervising many people during my working career. When you take that much pride, it'* hard not to take it personal. If it'* just a job, then why do some people come in early and leave late when there not being paid for it. Or why do people come in to work very sick when they could easily take the day off. I think those people that take great pride in there work know the answer to that one.


And that folks. is my .02 worth.

Now I'm going to have another drink and go hug my better half.

x2

Coming from a guy whose screen name is Lash with whips as his sig pic

Most people get over being laid off and end up with better jobs.

Yes even up here in Canada where I live housing prices have skyrocketed the last couple of years.
Average $150 K home is now $350 K but it'* all relative.

Accountants and shareholders are driving companies to cut costs by reducing overhead costs. It'* a sign of the times.

Work hard. Get along with your co-workers and posture yourself for the inenvitable....a change in career.

It just isn't fair.......No it isn't.....and it never will be......get used to it.

lash, it sounds like you handled the situation as best a man could. You looked them in the eye and shook their hands. I have it in the back of my mind, that you will do everything you can if you get a call from any of their prospective employers. If there is something more you could have done, I fail to see it.

I think I am talking to someone of similar vintage to me. A lot of our Dads worked for 30 years for company XYZ and retired with a pension. We can be fairly confident that is a bygone era. Americans are going to have to adjust to Alan Greenspan'* model of "adaptable labor". I have been in the IT industry for 25 yrs, been on boths sides of severance envelopes many times, and still have not learned to favor the sense of it. And It is particlarly tough in your industry, as it is given to relatively sudden expansions, and just as annoyingly fast contractions.

I'm babbling, and a "this is the way it is" speech never quite gets it done. So the best i can do is leave you with some thoughts.... Curse the day and put it behind you, take forward the sturdy character that helped you handle it honorably, and only fret for some day when something like this doesn't have any impact on your humanity.

It sucks to have to do that. I have hated letting employees go due to lay off or fired. It is a very hard thing to do especially if you have become friends with them. I'm sure you did it as dipolmatically as you could and tried to lessen the shock. Those people just need to count on God to direct their paths and lead them where they need to be led.

The timing was all wrong. :(

You should have waited until early December to do it........ :P

You're a mean, mean man.....Mr. Grinch

Having been in management at my full time job for quite awhile before I retired, and in contruction alot where each project has different work loads I can say it gets a little easier as time goes by. Remember that is one of many reasons you are paid more. It helps to talk to each about how rough ti is and that its wasnt personal or your idea. Someone has to make informed choices and you are paid to do just that. It doesnt always go well, but at least you did your job and tried to be real and considerate about it.