Why make layoffs like this way?? Sacrifice the people to save the numbers?? imagine if we sacrificed the numbers to save the people. Have everyone take a 2-4 weeks of leave with no pay. TOP to Bottom we all suffer a little so no one will suffer a lot. Everyone would love to come to work where we mattered more than not hitting our ridiculous numbers in an uncertain industry.
11 replies (most recent on top)
"The bottom can't afford 2-4 weeks? lol. tell that to the guys with no jobs"
No, they can't. And this was in the context of saving jobs. If the top (EVP - SD) level were to take a 2% pay cut across the board (wages + fringe) then problem solved short term with no real pain to anyone. If those making $8/hr go without pay for a month, they'd likely be homeless by the end of it.
Those who make the big decisions and are rewarded handsomely when the company does well should be the same who take the hit when the company doesn't do well.
The bottom can't afford 2-4 weeks? lol. tell that to the guys with no jobs
No. That's not the way to cut costs. Those at the bottom can't afford a 2-4 week furlough. Costs could be cut at the top. Just by trimming the fat that keeps the VPs smiling ignorantly along while everyone else is scrambling around to meet their insane demands (on Nike's dime, mind you) Nike would save a lot. There is massive excess and incompetence at the top.
And yes, Nike is public, however a company can treat its employees well and at the same time make profit for the shareholders.
I was laid off on 2009 after helping HR do the dirty work, sat through many heartbreaking conversations with amazing people that lost their job, only to lose mine in the end.
Loved the company so much that I came back for another 5 year run, but couldn't believe how much it had all changed. I clearly remember quoting Mark on the "this is not a cost-savings exercise" to many employees being laid off, and when I returned, I sat through a DTC conference in which Tim Hershey said how sad it was "to cut costs in 2009 and how many people it
affected" but that it would not happen again. Well, here they go again. So sad to hear that it's happening all over again, but there is life after the swoosh, even if it's hard to believe now.
I have been reading these messages, I work over at converse in Boston, but since Nike owns converse, I feel a connection. It is horrible over here too. After reading these messages, I feel like all the Nike Dierctors and VP's that have been sent over to us are doing exactly what they have done to you all. Morale is absolutely horrible, leadership is a joke, No direction.
Jeff, If you have any connections in the Boston area for news reporting, please make sure they comment on the converse situation.
Everyone is petrified, no one knows what the next move is going to be.
Spent 14 months at Nike recently as a contractor. Came from a competitor. Could not believe how terrible leadership was and how nothing could ever get done due to the countless, unnecessary layers. As my contract wound down, I was desperately looking for a full-time gig at Nike because my manger could not get headcount. Finally, a colleague asked me straight up, "Why do you want to work here? It's terrible."
It clicked at that point, and I made the call to not explore opportunities there anymore.
At a competitor now again and could not be happier. I am an Oregon grad and all I want to do is beat Nike now. My experience there as a contract employee completely ruined the passion and love I had for the brand growing up. I'd never recommend anyone work there, and I look forward to going to work everyday with the intent of beating Nike, which I never had before while working for a competitor before making the move to Nike.
I do feel sorry for the people who were let go. I hope they land on their feet fast.
Sorry you're all going through this. I'm interested in learning more.
Give me a buzz.
Jeff Manning
The Oregonian
503-294-7606
jmanning@oregonian.com
Much like another sportswear company in the area, "Great place to have a career but don't expect to retire here."
Good for you. Yet, let's say if you are 59 like my wife and laid off after 20+ years with the company, the equitation becomes much more complicated. Browse this website and you'll see that a bunch folks with very long tenures got laid off. I get the shareholder part, but it's not that simple - it's never that simple - the company is also responsible to customers, vendors, employees and society - so, please try not to oversimplify things.
FWIW, I am one of the people who was laid off, with a great package, and I'm still not bitter. It is what it is. I'll get another job. It's fine.
Reality check: They are about the people -- their shareholders. It's a public company, that's what it should be.
FWIW, I am one of the people who was laid off, with a great package, and I'm still not bitter. It is what it is. I'll get another job. It's fine.
Nike is no better than any other company. The culture has changed and at the end of the day it's about the bottom line. I agree I don't like how it's happening and it's a shame some really really good people are getting let go. The same thing happened in '09. Leadership has changed in the last 5+ years and it's less about people passionate about the brand and more about people that are passionate about themselves and their own job.