Thread regarding Gulfstream Aerospace layoffs

Okay Boomer

To the person who commented just below this comment. Amen. Gulfstream was so lean after the last 2 rounds of layoffs, the people who were left were the most competent, most committed, most talented people in the business. This downturn is temporary. That they kicked such dedicated talent to the curb when we are all in this together is beyond id–tic. It is positively evil. It is a massive blunder when it could have been the company's finest hour.

Dear OP author. To your last response. Gulfstream doesn’t just give their employees benefits out of the goodness of their hearts. Benefits are there to entice employees and to make large companies a more attractive place to work at so that they can get and keep the best talent. That talent and experience is what makes a great product that people want to buy. Benefits have been our country’s way of doing big business since the 1950s. It’s a very interesting history/story that occurred after WWII. GCA has been very behind in the benefits department for quite some time. I know several previous employees with great talent that left the company because they had sick children and they found better benefits and health insurance elsewhere at other companies. The employees are not taking Gulfstream benefits for granted to be clear. There are many ways that this entire situation could’ve been handled better and probably more cost effectively for the company. There should’ve been a formal furlow. Then employees could’ve collected UI and and got back to their jobs when the economy opens up. That would’ve saved the company because they wouldn't have to worry about a massive severance packages. People have suggested multiple times to cut back hours and that would’ve also been a great option. Both of those options would have saved reputation, talent, trust, and morale. The loss of those are all things that are going to be very problematic for GCA going forward in the future. I agree 100% with the part of your post that encourages people to be responsible and to have control of their own lives.. it’s a must. But like it or not if you have the responsibility of running a company with lots of employees you are in control of those employees lives. That is a very powerful position.. power that many people want and go crazy for.. power that is easily abused and taken away.

I can appreciate the enthusiasm. However I would respectfully request you read the post again.
“ I would never be an advocate for targeting any employee age, education etc group. ”

Protection from targeting specific groups and adopting the mentality of untouchability due to age, are two entirely different debates.
If everyone that was laid off is over the age of 40 or paid too much, absolutely that is wrong and illegal. You would be validated to be angry. I would be angry for you.

Some things do happen outside of our control in life. I am not knowledgeable of your specific circumstance, but unless the entire department was gutted, I understand your qualms with the situation.

WTF?!?! Age shouldn’t make you untouchable? No that is not what preventing age discrimination does! It means preventing getting rid of costs to line management pockets by TARGETING older, more highly compensated employees packing. How do I make it through 14 years of layoffs, with long stretches of 60+ hour weeks, have my best performance review EVER in Feb and be deemed dispensable last Friday if it isn’t because I’m close to 60 and make more than a 30 year old?

I am not absolving Gulfstream from the way they have handled any of their business decisions and executions. They could have handled things more tactfully. I would never be an advocate for targeting any employee age, education etc group.
To be the devils advocate, Gulfstream bears the financial burden of providing all the employee benefits that most take for granted. Some that are not required by law. Gulfstream carries the financial and legal responsibilities if it goes bankrupt. Not the individual employee. It moves assets around to best suit the needs of the company and maintain profitability . Which is sometimes reducing the workforce, much to our chagrin.
If I were a business owner, I would not want the burden of being responsible for each employees household or lifestyle choices. Each person has their own set of circumstances. Good, bad or indifferent. It is unreasonable to request a company or business to provide a custom solution for each of it’s employees.
My whole point in the OP is, create stability in your own life. Do not build up false confidence or responsibility into a person or company when it/they controls the outcome.

I respect your well written post. However, large companies like Gulfstream are held to higher standards than what they are exhibiting. They have not dealt with this situation or their employees appropriately. As you stated everyone is responsible for themselves and their families at the end of the day. However, large corporations are also responsible for their product, their employees who make the product, and for their reputation. I do not appreciate you giving Gulfstream’s responsibility in this matter to individuals who are or have been employed. I admire the way that you so eloquently asked for everyone effected to hold themselves and not their place of employment accountable for its “business decisions” at this time. This business is business philosophy will cost you in reputation, loyalty, expertise, knowledge, and technical logical advancements. Be aware of that. For all you advised about working hard and gaining experience that’s great. Do it! Get experience and do invest yourself. The next company will likely be more appreciative of it.

I have had many young men approach me to ask about obtaining faa airmen ratings. My advice has always been to get involved in the medical field. You can get a job anywhere. Forget aviation.

OP- This is a well thought out entry. I agree with your perspective, up to a point. When you become 55+, picking up and moving becomes impractical. My family has moved five times due to aviation. I was two years from retirement, my wife three years. We were both deemed to be human detritus. My wife`s group is desperately overwhelmed as is mine. Both groups are revenue generators.

Incredibly well put. Just a number to the company.