The problem with laying off people when times are good is that it not only does it generate fear and mistrust between management and the workers but also between workers themselves. I had the unfortunate experience to work at a couple of smaller design firms that used the same approach that GM has adopted. That is, the hire and fire approach. Generally, lesser companies use this approach and once word gets around then they have a problem attracting good engineers. I know Barra is a currently a media darling but I think having mass salary layoffs when you are giving your hourly employees 10K+ bonuses will come around to haunt her.
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The only other thing fired employees wish and hope that the 2 top ladies of the GM Mary and the Indian lady gets fired, once all this mess of layoffs cause them never to recruit talet, The situation right now is they hire and pay at EMPLOYEE rates but they get CONTRACTOR sweat jobs from these employees because of reduced staff and eventually fire employees as if they are contractors. Sad but GM will realize, there will be ZERO loyalty in long run. Hope they realize and wake up to this raw fact.
Will be interesting to see how much bonus she and top management at GM will be getting