A dreadful budget outlook has forced the City of Kansas City, Missouri, to cut hundreds of jobs. Someone who works at City Hall provides this account of what happened on Friday.
It was ugly. People who have worked there a long time were laid off. The Capital Improvements Management Office lost 18 people.
The reports say they were managers and clerical workers, but the people I know about didn't manage anyone or supervise anyone -- they just are in the "administrative officer" category. One woman I know has been there over 20 years, others 10 to 15. I heard about one woman in the Finance Department whose husband works for the convention center. Both were laid off. THAT is immoral -- they should have let one stay on. There's no recognition of "seniority."
They hired extra security. The people were just given letters to sign [saying] that they'd not sue in order to get any severance. I am very curious about how people were chosen -- it seems too personal.
Another thing that troubles me is the way they do it. They make people get their coats and briefcases, and nothing else -- all their personal stuff stays for someone else to box up. It's so harsh. One day you are a valued employee, the next you are evicted and can't be trusted to take your belongings.
I believe it could have been handled better. So much for Funk's "families first" crap. Lots of deeply unhappy families tonight.
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U are 'escorted' from the facility as though U are a criminal
You guys have been treating the rest of us like criminals for years, so I suspect you're not going to find a whole lot of sympathy among the public right now, Gregg. Right or wrong, you're perceived as having helped do this to us.
Personally, I think you've got it coming, but that's just me. As one of the people who helped pay your salary, I can't say I've ever felt like I was getting my money's worth. I'd have fired you myself if I could have.
Dave, Dave, Dave,
As one of those laid off before the layoff--the way it is done is without compassion and dignity. U are 'escorted' from the facility as though U are a criminal. The only thing worse would be in handcuff doing a 'erp walk'. If it was equal mangers--upper and middle would be in the lineup. According to 'Black Friday' 'soldiers' were let go--let go of the 'officers' who let this mess start and go on. The ones who never said no because they had too much invested to buck the system. Equality in cuts---yeah right ! ! !
well, yeah... layoffs suck. the reality is that the city needs to live within its means. the scene doesn't sound any different than the dozen rounds of corporate layoffs i've experienced, so no reason why the city workers should get any extra tears.
and here's the silver lining: *most* people who get laid off land in better places, even in a sour economy.
buck up, kids! at least you have a severance to see you through the end of the recession...
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