Rough Week

It was a rough week at work.

On Thursday, we had to let 32 employees go as part of our downsizing. Yours truly had to be there to "greet" the employees as they came to see our HR department and learn about their severance packages, unemployment and how learn to apply for new jobs, etc. What an emotional day that was for me. To see them come in shock and disbelief that their daily life as they new it for many years had came to a screeching halt was very hard to witness.

I did not know that was a job I was going to perform that day and I'm glad I didn't know prior to doing it. However, as I reflect the job my boss had my do that day, I can only defend her decision. With all the new management we have, I'm sure it must've been alot easier for them to walk an employee out the door since they don't have the relationship with them that us established employees do.

The reality of the day began to sink into the employee after they were tapped on the shoulder and had to make the walk outside the plant (for the last time) and over to the training center must have just been overwhelming for them. When they walked into the HR area, there I was. We shared hugs, tears, goodbyes, and best wishes. I had to collect their envelope of company belongings and escort them to an HR representative.

It was an emotionally draining day and week. But I went to work the next day - they did not.

I do not want to ever do that again, but if I asked, I would do it in heartbeat. If I comforted one of those employees, then I did good.

Some of my co-workers treated me on the cool side the next day. Perhaps they consider me to be a part of the "evil management team". That's ok. I get paid the big bucks, so to speak, and sometimes, being in my position, the job isn't always as glorified as some people think. My boss considers me a part of her leadership team and I just did my job for the day.