The city of Gilroy is in rough financial shape. With more than
40 employees who have pink slips in hand, it’s a difficult time
between the walls at City Hall.
It’s nearly unfathomable how quickly the formerly impregnable
financial castle has been breached. But that’s another story.
1. More than two months between a pink slip and Jan. 31 is too long
The city of Gilroy is in rough financial shape. With more than 40 employees who have pink slips in hand, it’s a difficult time between the walls at City Hall.
It’s nearly unfathomable how quickly the formerly impregnable financial castle has been breached. But that’s another story.
Getting laid off from your job in this terrible economy stinks. Add to that the expectation from workers who have never experienced such economic difficulty within the organization and you have a bitter recipe.
That’s why, though we understand the good intentions, it makes little sense to have such a protracted period of time – more than two months – between the actual pink slip notices and the employment departure date of Jan. 31.
2. ‘Bumping’ process bound to cause more than bumps in morale
Nobody’s moving on in that situation. It’s an extended state of anxiety that can’t be anything but counterproductive for the city.
Throw in the fact that there’s an arcane and extremely difficult to define “bumping” process involved which allows “qualified” employees who have received a layoff notice to bump someone in another position who would, in turn, be the layoff victim and it’s a potential nightmare.
To wit: Peter gets laid off, but believes he’s qualified to do Paul or Maria’s job. He knows Maria’s family … Paul has offered him Shark’s season tickets … but Maria’s brother has offered him a $10,000 Christmas gift … Meanwhile, Paul’s union doesn’t think Peter is qualified to do the job, but the city attorney thinks he is …
It’s potentially very messy, and it points out that the “rules” for how the process is undertaken need to be carefully looked at and likely revamped.
3. The duration doesn’t allow the city or employees to move forward
The next round of layoffs, after all, may be right around the corner if the economy continues to sputter for any lengthy period as many are predicting.
Meanwhile, in this crisis there is opportunity to look at efficiencies and new ways of doing business. Unfortunately, until Jan. 31 comes and goes, the focus will remain on the terrible truth that’s coming just around the corner and all the machinations that go with the current process.
While the city’s intentions were honorable, the end result will likely be counterproductive.
