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The Recession has a Human Face

© Vincent E. Martin

For the second time in as many years I am faced with the loss of my job, my livelihood, my primary source of income, part of my identity; it happened two weeks ago this past Friday just in time for the holidays. The rumors that more lay-offs were coming (there have already been several rounds this year) had been flying through the air at work like missiles in search of a target, and everyone was on edge, waiting for them to strike the unlucky few that would spend Thanksgiving no longer thankful they had a job. And finally, mercifully (I say mercifully, because its better to know then not know), the missiles load with their targeting data struck home and I received an email that asked me to report to my manager early on the morning of November 9th for a meeting to discuss the future direction of the department in which I worked.

The lucky anointed few were asked to report to a small conference room on another floor so I knew before my eyes ever beheld the solemn, unsmiling, Human Resources personnel with their multitudes of blue folders, that I was part of the excess baggage the company would no need. All the early morning and late nights; all the hard work and quite dedication; all of the sacrifices in the name of loyalty; all of the weekends away from home and family; all the company slogans trumpeting it's commitment to the employee, in the end availed me not. My services were no longer needed; I was being downsized in the name of profits and balance sheets! The economy had taken a turn for the worse, profits were tanking, cutbacks had to be made, sacrifices for the greater good had to exacted from those most without the power to stop the druids blade; this company was no longer "The Right Place To Be."

They were letting people go in small groups of four and five; there were four of us in the conference room, along with our manager, a Human Resources person, and a woman from employee assistance-she was there just in case we were unable to cope with being asked to clear out of the building within the hour, and needed someone tell us it would be "okay." The four of us made polite small talk, while we waited for the official word from our manager, who was artfully avoiding us by making small talk in the hallway. Finally, looking as thought a heavy duty construction truck had backed into his 5 series BMW, our manager came in and told us with a shaking voice and lowered head that he regretted the need to tell us that our services were no longer needed. He said that we had all been outstanding workers, but that our skill-set was no longer needed within the department. Of course he didn't mention that our "skill-set" was no longer needed because those charged with ensuring the profitability of the company were asleep at the proverbial wheel and had let the competition snatch our world leadership banner from us without so much as a by your leave. In the end all we could do is accept our fates and be thankful for the few crumbs they threw us in the form of severance and extended medical benefits.

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