What I learned at Target

First - yes I was let go yesterday after close to 20 years at the mothership. Saw a lot of change, created a lot of good valuable work, and saw a lot of friends come and go.

I hope the company figures out what they need to do, and all of you still left can get back to "normal" and stop looking over your shoulders for the next ax. Unfortunately it doesn't sound like a plan has been developed yet (beyond that latest meaningless buzzword filled mission statement).

Second - If you do get laid off, the severance package is quite good (at least compared to most places out there in the "real world". And the economy is picking up).

That said, a couple words of wisdom:

Remember, HR is not there for you. Their sole purpose is to protect the company from lawsuits - unfortunately necessary in today's litigious and oh so sensitive society (see #3 below).
A good supervisor is worth their weight in gold. A good supervisor is someone who has your back, who fights for you behind closed doors (takes a bullet for you), and probably doesn't even tell you he/she is doing that. I've been very lucky to have had a couple of such supervisors in my career here, before they were basically driven out by the BS. A good supervisor does not manage upward and take credit for the work of the people below them (Corporate America would be much better off if leaders were judged by how the people BELOW them rate them). Managing upward is not leading, it's sucking up. Lately it appears the upward manager climbers seem to be taking over, so if you have a good supervisor, cherish and protect them.
Toughen up a bit people. Over the last 10 years I've noticed the softening up of the workforce. Part of that is due to political correctness gone way overboard, and people being oh so sensitive to any perceived slight or word that makes them uncomfortable. Now if it's a person who supervises you that is harassing you, nail the sucker to the wall. If he's that stupid to do that to a subordinate, he should be gone. But if someone says a comment or joke that may make you uncomfortable, tell the person that. If necessary, tell them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine. But unless it's a supervisor, don't go running to the principal (HR). You're not in 4th grade. You're an adult. Learn to deal with people. That's the world.
Take care of your coworkers, especially those 'below' you (see #2 above). In the grand scheme of things, their successes will reflect on you. It's good Karma and is just being a nice human being (more important than the spot you got by climbing over them). ps: don't expect that behavior from the likes of Brian or any of the other EVPs. They are a different breed, perhaps necessary in a corporation, but hardly healthy for most humans.

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Let's not all go getting offended because we were employees of a company that we don't own and were let go. 1 year or 30 years of employment with Target doesn't give us any level of ownership in the company. If you think it does then you have created a false reality which makes this sudden rif hit so hard. It's not about age and I'm sorry if you think differently. As an older worker who thought they would retire from Target and is now suddenly faced with a new reality of competing for a spot in a new company, you have to take your strengths with you. Better days are ahead of us, not behind us.

like he said don't fight it ,because its the norm!

If enough people go to the EEOC there will be an investigation-Think- you could play a role in fundamentally changing corporate America.

If you feel there has been age discrimination you should at the very least file a complaint.

TGT obviously lost some irreplaceable talent yesterday, as evidenced by the one behind this post, which I agree is the best that I have perused the past couple days. As an out of state attorney my only reason to even visit this forum related directly to my youngest daughter. Target recruited and relocated her from out of state to corporate last year. Fortunately for her, her job survived. Yes it appears obvious that lots of 20+ year high salary workers as well as higher payed less that 2 year workers were let go, and not based on talent but mainly on pay. My daughter confirmed this as well. She was afraid not only for herself, but for her boss, of whom she thinks most highly. He and her were both at different ends of in the sniper's time frame spectrum, but fortunately he and his talent and experience remain as well as my daughters job. Yes frustration leads to yells of age discrimination. But about all that yelling and a couple bucks will get you is a cup off coffee. This is corporate America. It has fully arrived at Target. I warned my young daughter of this culture when she went to corporate last year, but I am certain to deaf ears at the time. Now that she has seen yesterday's massacre she will perhaps understand what ole dad was saying. Yes for you remaining ones, take advantage of any opportunity that may come. Keep increasing your skills and education where ever possible, and most certainly whenever the company help foot the bill. Maximize your 401ks, and save for whatever stormy day may come. They will come. And for anyone that listens to an old lawyer, I do not believe an age discrimination suit is even remotely winnable. The company has taken down mainly higher paid employees, many of which are in the 50+ age bracket. This is not de facto age discrimination, but the norm for today's corporate America in an at will employment situation, when $$ are to be cut. JMO

You should check the ages of the new hires too. You will find that they aren't hiring older people to replace older people. Culling the young ones is just cover to get rid of expensive older workers.

OP here. Yup I'm old (don't feel it though).

Whatever Target is they are not stupid in terms of layoff legalities. I wouldn't have a case (they give the old timers a list of all positions gone - no names, but it includes ages to prove it). I believe that's what the outside consultants that were hired to handle the layoffs job was - to make sure any lawyer would look at the list and say there's no case. Anyway, thanks for the kind comments. It's actually a relief.

You were let go because you are too old. That's called age discrimination. Don't take it. Hire a lawyer. It's illegal. Shame on Target.

One of the best posts here ever. Good luck!!!

Thread regarding Target Corp. layoffs

What I learned at Target

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