Question: “A friend who works for a local law firm has been asked to lay off some people. One employee has threatened that if she walks others will go to. How should my friend handle the situation?” –Tori
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Unfortunately, redundancy is a part of life, especially with the economy the way it is. What sort of point is the employee trying to make? She is obviously scared that she will be one of those people laid off, and threatening to take others with her highlights that issue. People that are confident that they are making a valuable contribution to the company usually don’t have to worry.
This makes me think of an episode on The Apprentice when T-Boz felt so confident in their project that she volunteered to go into the Board Room. She was FIRED, and Trump told her “Never volunteer for an execution.”
I think this person’s coworkers might feel the same way… I certainly wouldn’t be willing to sacrifice my salary and benefits for any of my coworkers, and they shouldn’t expect me to.
The threat of disrupting the office makes the statement that she has control over the business and the workers is grounds for dismissal. If she has that much control she should own her own business and hire all the folks that walk out in solidarity for her.
I think people forget that at any given time and any given day your services at a company can no longer become needed. Yes this is a hard job market and economy but jobs are out there and people are getting laid off and hired on a daily basis.
I doubt this statement is accurate. With the unemployment rate exceeding 10%, a person would be a fool to walk off the job. Even if one or more did leave, with this economy, the company will have no problem whatsoever finding people who would love to work at the company.
This threat held water 3 years ago. not anymore.
The current economy makes it impractical to think others will follow. Perhaps you should inquire of this person threathening to walk if the group that will walk off is willing to cut back on their pay or reduce benefits so the others can stay. What are they willing to give up to save the jobs of their friends. If they aren’t willing to give up anything, chances of them giving up 100% of their paycheck is highly unlikely.
Seriously the threat made by that particular employee is way out of line. She is probably all talk and no bark. I wouldn’t quit if my friend got laid off not with the economy is now and even if it was better I still wouldn’t quit. Sounds to me like she thinks she is running the show on who stays and who doesn’t when in fact it isn’t her decision. I would lay her off if her job can be handled by her “friends” in her absence. If I were her I wouldn’t be threatening anyone with anything bout lay offs whatsoever! She might regret those words. Professional attitude is still needed in this hard time when layoffs are happening everywhere. Realizing that you may be laid off and accepting it is a sign of professional attitude and maturity.
Sounds as if she is all talk and if she is one that will be laid off. Trust me the others won’t follow and let’s say for argument sake they do. Your friend does not need them anyway there are plenty of hardworking people out there ready to take the places of the ones who left with no notice.
Your friend has nothing to worry about. She has no choice but to carry on with lay offs. We’ve had so many lay offs and as unhappy as it made me and many others around here, we’re still here. No one wants to be laid off BUT no one is going to go voluntarily either – she’d have to quit and then you can’t collect unemployment and that would be a terrible mark on your work record as “non-rehireable.” This woman threatening to leave is just being emotional. Unless she has some other means of support she will stay too. She best be careful on what she wishes for as she may end up being one of the lay offs.
Get rid of her (yesterday in fact!)!!! If they go with her then sounds like you are getting rid of what needs to go; if they don’t then maybe it will set a good example that threats don’t do you any good but hard work and dedication will. Good luck!
In other words, call her bluff..if she has to do her job, I’m sure they are selective on why they are letting her go.
Have you ever watched Jerry Maguire? If not, have your friend watch this, the first part at least when he is packing his box and is walking out….no one follows but the woman that has a crush on him and a poor gold fish that his has no choice. : )
With the unemployment rate as high as it is now, especially here in Michigan, the other workers would be crazy to give up their positions, and if they do, they’re not worth having anyway. Good riddance!
If her job is to lay someone off, then she must do that, as unpleasant as that may be. I don’t think this employees threat should be taken too seriously. In this economy, no one is going to walk away from a good job, especially since they would loose unemployment rights. And if they did, there are many out-of-work people waiting to take their place.
Sarah is absolutely right. If they walk, they are not the kind of people you want working for you anyway.
In this economy??? I really don’t think her threat holds much water but I would say, if she walks and others follow there are plenty others who a willing and able to work and/or learn on the job. I think though that her “followers” will opt to stay put. No one wants to be looking for a job right now.
Hi Tori: No one wants to get laid off in today’s economy. Unfortunately, tough decisions have to be made and have been made all over this country for the past year. It might be a noble thing to say “if you get laid off, I’m walking too!” I’m not so sure that will be the reality of the situation. Could you walk off the job if one of your coworkers got laid off because you didn’t like it?? I know I could not. It is a difficult thing and my heart goes out to the people getting laid off AND the person responsible for carrying out the deed. I believe your friend has a difficult task before her. I also believe people will not walk off the job on principal. Most of us need our jobs in this tough job market. I wish your friend well. I would love to hear what others think.
Can her as fast as you can.