Is this usual?

*emeleel* · #1 06-24-2005, 10:38 AM

Okay, some of the ladies know what's going on, but the rest of you don't, so I'll do a quick catch-up.

DH's job was completely gone for about 4 hours on Tuesday. On Tuesday is when his company mapped out their various closings, firings, etc. His entire building here is being shut down in about 6 weeks. However, that afternoon they found out that their individual department is probably (maybe, hopefully, etc.

) going to be moving to the offices at the other local warehouse, so they will hopefully all get to keep their jobs.

However, DH just told me this:

Quote:

been told we may have to reapply for our jobs if we get to keep them anyway.
that would probably be a paycut and have to start benefits over again with
no accrued time.

Can they do that? Is that SOP in a situation like this? That's bullhocky as far as I'm concerned!

**theworm**[$] · #2 06-24-2005, 10:43 AM

Oy!
I'm not an attny, and I don't know employment law. My layperson understanding is that they CAN require them to re-apply for their positions and if they do this they CAN cut the pay - it really sucks, but if they are downsizing, I believe that they can redefine the jobs and the pay scale. I would be very suprised though if it is legal for them to start people over for benefits and not give them accrued time. Unless the company is being re-incorporated into a brand new company - this should not be do-able - it certainly is not very nice, smart or ethical (IMO).
I'm so sorry you're dealing with all this.
I really hope he can keep his job to take the immediate pressure off, but I hope he's ready to start looking for something else. WD will be a tough place to be for a long time.

*emeleel* · #3 06-24-2005, 10:48 AM

Yeah, I have heard of making people re-apply for jobs in cases of reorganization, selling, etc. But paycuts and losing time, benefits, etc. I've never heard of.

I may have even found something just a few minutes ago. Based on the description, it's basically the same thing as what he is doing now. He told me to go ahead and submit for him, so guess what that means? Yep, he's got to give me that list I've been after him for for a week and a half now...

Lalalalalalala...........

**theworm**[$] · #4 06-24-2005, 10:51 AM

Yeah! Keep your spirits up, Honey!
This sucks, but something good will come out of it.

The paycut thing sucks, but I really think that they can do it - not real good for moral, but managment can adopt the "just be glad you still have a job" attitude. The benefit thing - that really seems wrong.

Get his list - better things are out there.

*emeleel* · #5 06-24-2005, 10:54 AM

Well, it might not be quite so disheartening if I hadn't read in the various news about things that they are offering retention BONUSES to some of the upper crust if they stay for some certain period of time. I guess this is how they'll pay for those bonuses, huh?

*emeleel* · #6 06-24-2005, 02:22 PM

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Latest from DH:

Quote:

just heard, we should be safe for the time being. more latar

!sigh

**thinkerlady**[$] · #7 06-24-2005, 02:33 PM

This roller coaster is not fun to ride. Been there. Just keep your head above the water, and don't let your hubby get into a slump.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #8 06-24-2005, 04:49 PM

What wormie said about the time accrued - that's a new one on me. Hang in there.

*emeleel* · #9 06-24-2005, 05:02 PM

Quote:

but managment can adopt the "just be glad you still have a job" attitude.

Apparently they can also adopt the "do everything I tell you no matter how much it sucks or you won't get a chance to reapply" attitude.

One of DH's co-workers (who is also a long time friend going all the way back to college days) has gotten screwed on pulling some extra time the last couple of days, and got handed the line of "well, if you don't want to work 40 hours, we'll have to consider you part time and you'll be the first to get dropped if we need to cut anyone". DH said he normally has just under 40 hours/week, like 38 or so - I think mostly because he's got the only car in the household and his wife and children need him sometimes and he doesn't always get to get the full 40 hours. But that's a lousy way to get someone to work over even a little bit, threaten their job if they don't cooperate.

**theworm**[$] · #10 06-24-2005, 05:17 PM

Sounds like my old company.

jenninca · #11 06-25-2005, 01:26 AM

Sounds like summer school.

**lynnzop**[$] · #12 06-27-2005, 02:47 PM

Where's Michael when you need him?!

My take: Unless they are discriminating on the basis of the protected areas (gender, age, sexual orientation, race, etc.,) or are in violation of Sarbannes/Oxley, they can do whatever they darn well want to. Especially if they are somewhat protected under whichever Chapter they've filed under. The fact that management is being jerks is just a "chose where you want to work" issue...which doesn't make it any more right.

Any update?

*emeleel* · #13 06-27-2005, 03:30 PM

Update: now they're saying that there will be no changes whatsoever in any time accrued, benefits, etc. even if they do have to reapply. And that they probably will have to reapply.

It seems like a big waste of everyone's time and resources - and MONEY!

- to do this. The only possible reason I can think of is in order to get the various supervisors and bigwigs to really sit down and think about who they should keep or not keep in case they need to make further cuts.

**pippadaisy**[$] · #14 06-27-2005, 03:33 PM

That makes sense... you can also see who really wants to stay that way.

As for time accrued, I don't think they can ditch that, but benefits, they can probably do whatever they want.

poseidon · #15 06-27-2005, 03:45 PM

Quote:

emeleel said

Can they do that? Is that SOP in a situation like this? That's bullhocky as far as I'm concerned!

When our company "bought" another company (it was a joke, we bought their book of business, not the company itself), our company did the same thing.

We all had to reapply for our jobs, as they decided they didn't want a greater staff, just a greater book of business.

We didn't lose any benefits in the process, no vacation time, no reduction in salary, etc. We just had to reapply.

In the layoffs 17 months ago, all of the non-salaried people had to reapply for their jobs -- basically they fired everyone. Some did see a reduction in pay as their jobs were reclassified. Again, the salaried people weren't affected (except they were laid off, I just mean salary/benefits).

frazzledspice · #16 06-27-2005, 04:14 PM

Oh, Melanie, I'm so sorry.

Was he with the big supermarket chain that is closing half its stores? (I won't mention the name.)

The supermarket industry just seems to be in a fight to the death with Wal-Mart Supercenters right now. One of my son's friends is with Schnucks in St. Louis. They're unionized and they just got over a huge strike because Schnucks and Dierbergs, the other big chain in St. Louis, treat their employees fairly and well, and they just can't afford to any more. St. Louis has tried to keep the supercenters out....but last time I was there they had built one in Kirkwood that had the very minimum of groceries they could allow, and the parking lot was just packed.

It's the same thing that's happening all over the rest of the employment landscape--low prices and less money to buy things with for most people.

I don't even know what's legal or illegal anymore. I am just glad we are in our 50's and only have a few years to hold onto this log in the ocean (even less if we could somehow figure out how to get medical benefits.)

I am praying for you and your hubby. I know how resourceful and creative you are with money. You will get through this.

Keep us posted.

*emeleel* · #17 06-27-2005, 04:43 PM

Thanks, Frazz. Yes, that's the company. Actually it's only about 35% of the stores and employees. But that's still a LOT in one chunk. And they closed a few either right before or right after the bankruptcy declaration.

Yes, the grocery business is a tough fight right now. But it doesn't help when the upper crust doesn't really seem to know what it's doing.

Hey y'all, guess what DH finally emailed me today? A list!

**theworm**[$] · #18 06-27-2005, 04:46 PM

The list!!!!
See - I told you that you'd get it early this week. I must understand men. Frightening!

*emeleel* · #19 06-27-2005, 04:50 PM

But good news for Brian....

**theworm**[$] · #20 06-27-2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

emeleel said

But good news for Brian....

The truly frightening thing is that he seems to understand me!

Anyway - back on topic. I'm glad you got the list, and I hope that now the DH has a little assurance that he'll keep his job in the short run, anyway, he can focus on finding something perfect!