FedEx Layoffs in Memphis

[MKH]

Ha ha-nope, you're right. There's no federal law against it. Just bad form. And there are so many very sad people right now at FedEx, both those that got laid off and those that are remaining. Once people get over the heartbreak, then they may start seeking out legal advice, just to see if there is anything that can be contested.

Everybody is scared out of their wits that they're going to be next. One guy emailed me and told me he has already taken all of his personal stuff home, and his desk has just a phone and a computer on it. If the security guards head his direction, he's ready to get up and walk out!

It's sad that things have to be this way, but I guess it's just a sign of how bad things in this country (and world) have gotten.

 

[MKH]

My office is covered with personal stuff. It stinks that you aren't allowed back in to get your possessions. I know someone that was let go from FedEx last year and he's "living the life" in Destin today. He said it seemed like the perfect time to make the move.

I can imagine this is a scary time. I wish I had the right words to help you. I hope you find happiness in a new job wherever it takes you; hopefully closer to the sand. Good luck!

Thank you-your words of encouragement help more than you know. I am not the type to sulk or be depressed, and don't plan to start now. In this terrible economy, I have got to get out and 'beat the bushes' for a new job. I've already got a job interview lined up for next week with an insurance company, selling individual health insurance policies. Wish me luck.

Just curious, what is your friend doing in Destin these days? I'm 42 years old, and too young to retire, but would definitely like a change in scenery if I can swing it.

 

[Minnie]

Sadly all large corporations handle these things the same way, It happened where my husband worked and it happened recently at Disney. My husband was on complete bed rest for a back problem and was told come in, get a wheel chair, or lose your job. They were called into a conference room, 8 were fired, given an empty printer paper box and told to go get their things and escorted out by security. They turned to everyone else and told them any of them could be next.

Those on vacation were notified by phone call and their things were shipped to them also. While he was out the rest of the week, more were fired. No severance packages, just fired.

Disney fired 2000 recently at Disney World and followed the same procedures as FedEX and my husband's company, welcome to corporate America.

I hope you find something you enjoy, good luck with the job interviews.

 

[Cheering472]

Thank you-your words of encouragement help more than you know. I am not the type to sulk or be depressed, and don't plan to start now. In this terrible economy, I have got to get out and 'beat the bushes' for a new job. I've already got a job interview lined up for next week with an insurance company, selling individual health insurance policies. Wish me luck.

Just curious, what is your friend doing in Destin these days? I'm 42 years old, and too young to retire, but would definitely like a change in scenery if I can swing it.

He actually calls this "forced early retirement". He's close to the age of retirement anyway and had nothing keeping him in Memphis full time since his family is all up and gone. He already owned a home in Destin so it was an easy move. He doesn't have to work so he enjoys the beach. I was really worried for him when he was let go, now I'm a little jealous.

Things may be more complicated for you, but you never know what's around the corner. I took the job I have now during one of the darkest points of my life. It was so scary. Please know we are thinking of you. Good luck at the insurance job interview. Keep smiling, I promise you a door closing means another door opens, and you get to choose which one to walk through.

 

[Matt J]

Yep, welcome to corporate. Maybe drunkkenartist can get on here and tell us how they do it at SallieMae these days, but when I was there you worked in a sea of about 1000 other people and they walked out with a security guard, your boss, and a paper box. You then got to pack up your personal belongings in front of everyone and then be escorted out. Of course right before they booted you to the curb they took you for an "exit interview". That included a 5 page questionarre and a long speech about corporate secrets and how publishing them was against your contract. :roll:

SallieMae company secret:

They miscalculated interest for decades and only recently "fixed" the problem. Probably caused borrowers to pay back anywhere from 20-100% more of their loan than due.

 

[MKH]

That's a great way to keep your promise to SallieMae to not disclose their secrets. I just read that SallieMae is bringing 2,000 jobs back to the US-call center jobs that are currently being staffed in foreign countries.

I had the same mumbo-jumbo in my severance contract about not ever speaking bad about FedEx or even so much as giving them a dirty look as I drive by the building, blah blah blah.

So if you're not at SallieMae anymore, what are you doing now for employment?

 

[TooFarTampa]

MKH, I feel for you, I don't know what to say -- what a grim story. But I like Cheering's advice the best. You never know what good opportunity may be around the corner.

Best of luck to you; please keep us posted (I guess you now have time to post a bit more. Gallows humor sorry).

 

[Rita]

Sadly all large corporations handle these things the same way, ............................
Disney fired 2000 recently at Disney World and followed the same procedures as FedEX and my husband's company, welcome to corporate America.
..................................

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Can someone explain the reasoning behind these cruel and indifferent dismissals by companies. I am reading this thread and find it very hard to comprehend.

MKH - I wish the best for you. Keep us posted as to how things progress and what doors end up opening for you. They will!

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[Minnie]

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Can someone explain the reasoning behind these cruel and indifferent dismissals by companies. I am reading this thread and find it very hard to comprehend.

MKH - I wish the best for you. Keep us posted as to how things progress and what doors end up opening for you. They will!

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Truly Rita I don't know. My husband and I have discussed this many times within the last few weeks. It was just all so cold hearted. As to security, that I do understand, it is to keep people from freaking out and going to their car and coming back in the building and blasting someone away with a gun.

Security is also the reason they don't let know you know anything in advance, no time for someone to plan a violent reaction or have time to steal company secrets.

At my husband's company, there was no rhyme or reason to who was fired, some had worked 20 years or more and some had worked only a couple of years. Just as there was no pattern to why they moved people with seniority to the night shifts and people with less to days.

In this day and time I guess I can see the security part of it but the cold hearted methods are something I will never understand.

 

[MKH]

The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power

Bakan, an internationally recognized legal scholar and professor of law at the University of British Columbia, takes a powerful stab at the most influential institution of our time, the corporation. As a legal entity, a corporation has as its edict one and only one goal, to create profits for its shareholders, without legal or moral obligation to the welfare of workers, the environment, or the well-being of society as a whole. Corporations have successfully hijacked governments, promoting free-market solutions to virtually all of the concerns of human endeavor. Competition and self-interest dominate, and other aspects of human nature, such as creativity, empathy, and the ability to live in harmony with the earth, are suppressed and even ridiculed. Bakan believes that, like Communism, this ideological order cannot last and that corporate rule must be challenged to bring balance and revive the values of democracy, social justice, equality, and compassion.

The above quote is a synopsis of a book called 'The Corporation'. One of my now ex-coworkers mentioned this book to me a couple of days ago. She said she read it a few years back and it scared the crap out of her. She's been with FedEx for over 20 years and she just cannot stop crying over what happened last week.

I sincerely appreciate all of the support and well wishes from everyone on this thread.

I also understand the security tactics employed when a company does something like this to its employees, but the tactics still take a mental toll on those affected. I have such good memories of FedEx- mostly the people, and it's really hard to reconcile all of those good memories and hopes for my future with how it all ended with a phone call, out of the blue.

This time last week I was doing my last-minute packing to head out at 5am the next day for my first vacation in 6 months. I was so excited! I can't believe what a difference a week makes.