What is the "best" way to lay people off? Perhaps the "best" way is for senior management to call a meeting of their managers and tell them that they will need to make some reductions effective date supplied and supply those managers with targets. Then the managers would have to go back to their units and figure out what (functions) they can cut and who they keep.The managers should probably tell their units that cuts are coming and that there may be some hard choices but they (management) will keep you informed. They submit their list and then what would happen is you would have HR or equivalent with the area executive/director break the news early in the morning to those who are going to be released individually. I wouldn't send those who are staying behind home. I would let people talk to each other for the rest of the day, because that way they start to come to terms with what is happening and they will feel less isolated, alone and vulnerable.

So what if they want to get rid of a manager, well, simple, get the manager to make the cuts, then the next one up on the food chain can say, okay Henry, now it's your turn. (This too happens alot).

I am a manager and have seen and heard alot, but what transpired yesterday is certainly a unique approach. I would love to know what the theory was behind that. I am sure there is one--Check the Dilbert website, I'm sure it's there.= : - )

A comment, Dina, you did remark when you interviewed there that they seemed to be a bit strange there. I wouldn't be surprised at anything they do. I would view this as an interesting...(even if a little frightening) slice of corporate life.

Then there's the CDS way, in June we had a big announcment which basically said that every employee is to expect a letter next January informing us as to whether or not you will still have a job at the end of 2002.(We are also told in that same announcement what the company has committed to for severance). If you are among those selected to leave, your severance amount will be confirmed based on the formula that the company committed to and when you can expect to leave. If you try to leave of your own accord before your specified release date, you won't get your severance, you will be deemed to have quit period. You might not even get a reference. How's that for an approach? Any comments out there?

Bottom line? Look out for yourself. (Nobody else will.)