blogger profile

MissAttitude

Freelance Writer, Blogger and Adjunct Professor

I'm a professional woman in my 30s who's spent the last 13 years working in TV news. I love shoes, shopping and blogging. I also have an advice column. In the name of full disclosure I have to admit I don’t have a background in psychology, unless you count that one college course freshman year ...

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That is not how you treat people!

I'm not one for using "sources" in news stories, it usually makes me uncomfortable for many journalistic/ethical reasons.  But fortunately this blog is not a "news" venue, and my sources have no agenda.  They're just in shock.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

One of my former employers is in the process of some major layoffs, which is pretty common in this economic environment.  But the way they're handling it should not be common.  It can't be can it?  Last week the TV station decided to eliminate an employee who's been there for more than 30 years, that's three decades!  According to several of my sources she was called to HR and told about the decision, then she wasn't even allowed back to her desk to get her purse.  Did I mention the HR office is actually in a different building?  Did I mention my sources say it was pouring at the time?  They didn't even bother to treat a woman who's dedicated most of her career to their company with dignity and respect.  Not only did they take her job, they left her out in the rain with no way home!  

It's outrageous, in my opinion.  And I thought I wasn't treated well when they let me go after six and a half years, and didn't let me pack my desk.  Little did I know it could get worse for other co-workers a few short years later!  (At least I got my purse!)  Many of my friends still work there and they're being forced to reapply for jobs they've held for years.  I understand that it's a business and economically you have to do what you have to do.  But you should always remember your employees are people.  Losing your job can be stressful enough without being treated worse than those same managers would treat their pets.

Now, I admit I don't know all of the facts.  But, I do know this woman pretty well and hardly believe allowing her to retrieve her purse was a security threat.  Heck even if it was, why didn't the HR person tell her to bring her purse with her when she came to the office.  Yes, she still would have known what was coming.  But she would've been able to leave with her dignity.  

I still remember the night I walked out of the door for the last time, and honestly my life is much better without that place.  But that's another story for another time.  I just feel the need to speak up and say this treatment is not acceptable.  While it's not easy to lay people off without inducing some pain or devastation, there is a way to be empathetic and respectful.   I definitely worry the same thing could happen to some of my friends because that company has proven loyalty doesn't account for much.  And I'm not sure many are working on a Plan B.  You always think it won't happen to you, but everyone is fair game.  I learned that lesson the hard way, twice.  And while I'm not trying to scare anyone, it is the cold hard reality.  Please don't let them catch you off guard.  Take care of you!

Stylishly yours,
Miss Attitude

www.missattitude.us