I wish there was some way that we could reach out to everyone who was laid to see how many, in fact, did/do have major health issues in their family. I, like many others, was let go, and was informed by someone from HR (who was also let go), that employee medical costs was a large factor in their decision. I can't even count how many stories of cancer, child birth, diseases, handicaps, etc. were attached to some of the good ones that were let go. It has become alarming on hiw high the number is, and I think everyone would bet surprised by the link between family illness and layoffs. I know some of those reading this think we are trying to make excuses, but that is far from the case. I am a business man and completely understand that the company will do what it has to in order to survive, but it just seems that some shady statistics were drawn up in order to weed out the disposable ones.
12 replies (most recent on top)
Yep, that explains it in retrospect. Looking back 2 years. I didnt make a great salary, but HR was concerned about age no doubt.
NOTHING is worth your precious life and these feelings will pass in time. Certainly the loss of a job or your spouses' abuse do not define you as a person and you are more than this TEMPORARY road block. Imagine the pain your loss would cause the people who care about you. I have been around a very long time and am presently dealing with a life threatening diagnosis and I know I will do anything to stay alive. Won't you join me in the fight? Believe me, you do not want that call from a doctor. PLEASE SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY!!!
It has truly become more than I can bear. Constantly fighting and depressed. Now I wish I where dead. This is a very real and hard think to take. Those still working don't understand how hard it can be. The pressure of finding a job and not being able to. It's not a fun thing and If death came I would be happy. If I went to the doctor tomorrow and he told me I had weeks to live I would be ecstatic. I just want life to be over. Losing the job isn't the hardest part for me, its having my spouse emotional abuse me and put me down. I'm done with life and I'm now just going through the motions waiting and hoping I die. Heart attack, cancer, car wreck, shot in the head, anything would do except suicide. Maybe it's time for a trip to mexico or some other dangerous city were I could get murdered. I'm just ready to die.
It would be really nice if an investigate reporter could find out. I would share my story with them in confidence.
Medical history (and costs) are confidential and not available to HR. The medical cost per employee doesn't matter much because it is spread across a wide base of participants. With that being said, dept managers know the personal stories of illness and there is often a direct correlation between illness and low performance. Don't draw a correlation between being laid off and illness - it already existed.
Also, say your boss harasses you or creates a hostile work environment because of your sex, religion, or just cussed at you everyday. Then you complain to HR about the practice and later you are conveniently fired or demoted. Get yourself an attorney! Devon does a piss poor job of training managers or staff regarding harassment.
At will means they can let you go for "no reason". However, they can not let you go for wrong reason: such as complaining about a safety,health or environmental infraction to your supervisor or regulatory agency. They cannot discriminate based on age, gender, race, religion, national origin, handicap. Companies must provide "reasonable accomodation" if one has an ADA qualifying disability.
I would think all of us are entitled to see the demographics of the pool let go. I'm not going to ask. TV 9 could I guess.
Might be a news investigation opportunity.
From what I heard, they just pulled a query straight from SAP that simply showed $$ cost per employee. Nothing specific, just basically a graph that simply showed employee name and cost per year making it easy to see the top "victims"
Just curious did the person from HR tell you anything else about how the list was derived. I know many of us want to know.
I to think everyone would be surprised by the link. I know Oklahoma is an at will hire so the can let us go for any reason, but I don't think they have a right to our health cost. This seem against the law. Of course we know it is all wrong and low class. Maybe someone that has talked to an attorney could share any information. I think there is a lawsuit in the making here, but for other reason than getting laid off, more for HIPPA violations.
Healthcare costs get higher for the older workers who are healthy.