How many people are working at Patch? Sounds like an internet startup with less than 30?
Patch's new owner lays off staff in 1:39 conference call
71–80 of 162 posts
Re: Patch's new owner lays off staff in 1:39 conference call
#72This kind of behavior (promoted by HR/Legal) needs to stop. Period. It is not about firing people by conference, phone or whatever. It is about the thanklessness and the attitude that sucks. Does it really hurt to genuinely feel and say "sorry we cannot keep you any longer. Hope you understand". No one is going to sit and whine about being laid-off but the manner of layoffs (in america at least) is getting shameful,…
Companies have become risk/lawsuit averse when it comes to firing/lay-offs that they all have scripted things to say because they don't want to risk a potential lawsuit.
Absolutely. Every time I've had to let someone go, the first person I call is my HR person. They walk me through the dos and don'ts which always include, "Don't say this and don't say that otherwise they could use that either in a wrongful termination lawsuit or in filing for workman's comp."
Re: Patch's new owner lays off staff in 1:39 conference call
#73The next one is a gem too: ~1:55 in: "Abel, put that camera down right now. Abel, you're fired, out." https://soundcloud.com/jim-romenesko/aol-ceo-tim-armstrong-8...
What was the context there? Was abel part of the group being fired in the call? Or was he fired on the spot with that remark?
Re: Patch's new owner lays off staff in 1:39 conference call
#74I don't think it's that bad. It was formal and distant, but not insulting. It's more insulting when someone pretends they are sorry, but actually aren't. If she's not actually sorry, and there are perfectly valid reasons not to be, then it actually shows more spine to just say it like it is.
Actions speak louder than words, and we don't know what the "separation packages" are. They could actually be good, for all you know.
We don't have the context on what it was like working there. Some places/professions are more "mercenary" than others. In Silicon Valley people are used to "company culture" and "team building", but not all companies need that.
Re: Patch's new owner lays off staff in 1:39 conference call
#75Laying people off is never easy. I'm sure many people will poopoo this call but this is a clean and a clear message.
Except it wasn't delivered face to face, which in my mind is worth 'poopooing'... and my goodness, the monotone voice...
Sounds like something I'd expect to hear in Aperture Science (seconds before the floor gets flooded with neurotoxin), not in a company staffed by human beings. Poopoo well deserved, IMO.
Re: Patch's new owner lays off staff in 1:39 conference call
#76How many people are working at Patch? Sounds like an internet startup with less than 30?
They had 1100 people in August 2013, at which point they laid off 500.
Re: Patch's new owner lays off staff in 1:39 conference call
#77Earlier quoted context omitted.
I've often heard that apologies in various contexts can be used as evidence for litigation (eg, saying "oh sorry" after an auto accident) . Its a sad state of affairs, but people have to protect themselves from idiots and the courts they convince.
I hear this all the time but have never actually seen evidence for it. Can someone actually back this up?
Here's a law review article that discusses the issue: http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/research/JLPP/upload/Helmre...
That said, I don't think there would be any issue with the woman in the recording saying something kind and generic, like "I feel for you, and I am sorry to have to do this."
Re: Patch's new owner lays off staff in 1:39 conference call
#78[deleted]
Re: Patch's new owner lays off staff in 1:39 conference call
#79Wow. That was incredible. The monotonous way in which the message was delivered, the complete lack of emotion and empathy, is appalling. Notice she did not apologize nor express any condolences beyond declaring the new unemployed state of those people to be "unfortunate." Without knowing much about the situation (I only listened to the recording), and leaving myself wide open to be corrected by someone with more insi…
I heard it as coldly professional. What, do you think they'd want a hug? I object to your use of "appalling". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo7zkd0kRS4
I'm appalled by your objection to the use of 'appalling'.
Re: Patch's new owner lays off staff in 1:39 conference call
#80The next one is a gem too: ~1:55 in: "Abel, put that camera down right now. Abel, you're fired, out." https://soundcloud.com/jim-romenesko/aol-ceo-tim-armstrong-8...
There's evidence that power can change how the brain functions - tending to make those in power less able to experience things from the perspective of others. This guy is clearly another corporate sociopath