Not "mom" related, just work. Layoff etiquette?

CageyMack

Hi!

I just wanted to do a temperature test of a situation at work. I think you ladies are pretty savvy and if you think this is normal, then I'll recalibrate my irate-o-meter.  TIA!

On Tuesday at the end of long staff meeting we were notified that layoffs would be occurring.  "About four" positions would be laid-off.  The decision of "who" has not yet been made.  Our boss gave us a list of the criteria for layoffs, i.e., recent and historic evals, programs cut, if an upcoming office relocation has an impact, etc.  We were all shocked. He then said he hoped to have more information soon, as he has not talked to our contracting office (most of us are contracted to the federal government, not directly employed by the government).

Our HR person did not know this was coming, nor did the manager of our administrative department.  

So now it has been a few days, the office is wound tight as a top and still no word.  

To add more drama, the national head of our federal branch is flying in for a week of "Conversations" about office organization/structure/leadership.  This is not directly related to the lay-offs, but is a national effort that has been going on for about 18 months.  So pure coincidence that it is happening now, I think.

My questions are: 

1. Am I crazy to think that the method of delivery of this news is ridiculously unprofessional?  In all the training I received the individuals were notified in person and first and then as quickly as possible a group/team meeting was held and layoffs were announced, along with: "The individuals this impacts have already been notified." Thoughts?

2. How can our staff not bring this up at the "Conversation?!"  What kind of leadership would handle this in this manner?  What does our office leadership expect us to say?  I suppose this is more a rhetorical question . . .

3. How long can they possibly make us wait to hear the official lay-offs?  Days? Weeks? Months?  Who handles things like this?!  Have any of you, in your experience, delayed notifying individuals of a lay-off/termination for a long time after the group announcement and, if so, why?  

Yesterday my boss was being her usual rude self and firing questions at me.  At one point I said, "hold on, let me think . . ." She said, "What? You stressed?"  So, so tactless.  I wanted to say, "Yes, I'm stressed.  You are being a cranky, rude supervisor and I have to be nice to you because I don't know if you are going to take away my job.  And, you are one of the three people in our office with the power to do so." 

Ugh.

This does come on the heels of me thinking about exiting the job.  Part of me will be sick if I DON'T get laid off, but then leave the job in 2 months because perhaps someone else could still have their job.  The whole mess is just upsetting. 

LoCarb

Wow!

I think the delivery and timing was unprofessional.  Everyone in the office must be anxious and stressed out. Also, I call BS on anyone who doesn't know it was coming. You mean employees were told before HR? I'm skeptical. I also think the mgmt team has an idea of who the 4 employees are or at least narrowed down a list. There is no need to publicize it. It sounds as if the mgr may be feeling guilty with layoffs around the holidays trying to give a heads up and make it feel non discriminatory.  I can imagine employee morale is down.

::fingers crossed you are not affected::

Nechie122

Ugh, I'm sorry you're going through this. I have no idea what the "norm" is but a friend of mine just went through something similar; they were told about impending layoffs a few weeks before anyone was laid off (and he was one of the unlucky ones).

I don't know if they think they're being kind, but I do think it's wise to get your resume in order and notify your references that they may be called upon. This sucks a lot -- I'm sorry again.

ccm1203

I don't know what the proper etiquette is for layoffs...on one hand coming in doing the layoffs without saying things aren't looking aren't looking good sometimes blind sides people.  Giving the heads up allows people/employees to mentally prepare, albeit you are all on pins and needles.   Sorry!  Both ways are super stressful.   

kristennd

My experience has always been hearing about it after the laid off people are notified.

However, in a way it is considerate of them to give people a heads up before holiday spending really gets into gear.

financialdiva

Our company did a bunch of layoffs in waves. The first wave was unexpected. People complained that management wasn't fair and should of warned everyone.

So the next wave, they warned people another wave of layoffs were coming. People complained they were stressed out.

So really, I don't think there is any good way to layoff people, kwim?

Are you really thinking of leaving in 2 months? Or are you saying you are going to start looking for a job and you might be leaving in 2 months? If the plan is to for sure leave in 2 months, I would totally step up and tell them you are planning on leaving in X weeks, you want Y weeks severance. You will not file unemployment, and someone else can keep their job.

If you are just planning on looking and will leave when you find a new job, then disregard what I just said.

Otherwise, there really isn't anything you can do about the decision. Just do your job, stay focused and hang in there. GL.