The executive leadership at Giant Eagle were told to remain home for the actual layoff undertaking that will commence on October 31st. This is due to the fear of retaliation by some of those that will be let go. Of course, no consideration of those below a director role has been given.
We all certainly hope that no one will show up to the offices with weapons. A vast majority of staff are rather frightened about coming in on Monday, as several employees have worked for Giant Eagle for decades and have few skills that could be transferable to another company. These individuals will find it difficult to achieve a similar salary elsewhere, and may not go quietly into unemployment.
Let us not forget the reason these layoffs are happening: the executives, which are nearly all handed their jobs due to being family of previous ownership, have lost 20 million dollars in less than 4 months.
No one let go on Monday had any part in the decision making that caused the losses. These loyal team members are being dismissed because of the idiocy of those above them, not their own lack of work ethic or ability.
Sadly, the decline of the company could have been avoided. $50 million was wasted building, marketing and opening a failing store in Indiana. Nearly $4 million wasted when a newly hired executive decided multiple GetGos (that were nearly finished in their construction)-weren't angled to the adjacent highways to her liking, and needed torn down and rebuilt. Nearly $8 million wasted when another executive determined that websites built in last year were not satisfactory to her tastes and needed to be completely redone. Countless more have been wasted by the CEO taking her private jet to frivolous conferences throughout the country.
Let's all hope that the layoffs will be peaceful, that the police presence-that has been scheduled to be on campus-won't be necessary, and that the men and women released find quick employment.