On Wed, Feb 4, 2009 at 2:20 PM, Grevin, Fred <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Deb Fuller makes a very important point, with her comment on my suggestion
> to give each laid-off employee a copy of "What Color Is Your Parachute?"
>
> Deb said: While that again sounds like a good idea, it is still a little
> insulting. "And now for some lovely parting gifts."
>
> While my perception would have been more along the lines of "here's
> something tangible to help me out", it is obviously possible that some folks
> could interpret it differently.
>
> So Deb's point, to me, includes "every person is different; treat each one
> as an individual".
>
> Thanks, Deb!

You're welcome Fred!!

The other point that I tried to make is that the lay-offer should not
be the one counseling the lay-offee. It sounds harsh but it could get
you into legal trouble. Cry with your former employees over coffee
after their last day on the job but make the actual lay-off procedure
quick and professional. Let HR handle as much as possible. This is a
little trickier when you work for a small organization and you don't
have a separate HR department. This is why I suggested a separate job
counselor or employment resource group. If your museum is small, you
could see about talking to a local company that specialises in career
counseling and ask if they can offer your former employees a free
consultation or access to their materials.

(Fred, I should also mention that being a seasoned lay-offer, the last
thing I'm thinking about when I'm getting canned is what I'm going to
do next. I'm thinking about filing my unemployment paperwork, making
sure my finances are in order, and getting all my stuff out of my
desk. Thus getting a helpful book like "What Color Is Your Parachute"
would go unnoticed at the time and probably get lost in the shuffle.
If you are friends with the lay-offer and know they are having trouble
finding other work, then I think it would be appropriate to give such
a book to them. Several books like were recommended to me when I was
first laid

Deb

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