Question

only needs to be 500 words

Instructions Start Writing cons A 2014 headline read, "Microsoft Announces Biggest Layoffs in Company's History." Layoffs for workers are good news to investors causing company shares to increase after the announcement of massive layoffs. Like Microsoft, many companies have cut jobs despite having money in the bank. Corporate America is presenting itself to the rest of the business world as lean and mean. As a result of this business strategy, an increase in layoffs means an even higher demand for social services for the unemployed. With fewer people working, tax revenue also decreases, which reduces funds for social services programs. Layoffs affect not only the individual, but also the community, resulting in the creation of government regulations. The CEO of the largest employer in a rural California county in the process of laying off 20% of its employees (500 to 600 employees) is coming under fire by the community because the company is a major financial support for residents. Write an essay that describes the potential impact to the community from a financial and social services perspective. Include an explanation of the state and federal regulations for Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) that support laid-off employees to show how a company must help laid-off employees and the community.

Answer 1

What is a layoff?-

A layoff is a temporary suspension or permanent termination of services delivered by an employee in an attempt to reduce the costs incurred by the organization or personnel management or downsizing the company. The workers who have been laid-off by the company are known as laid-off workers or displaced workers.

Potential impact to the community on financial and social terms-

In our case, the company that is performing the layoff is the largest employer of the rural county following which the 500-600 laid-off workers will suffer huge setbacks. It is also mentioned that this company is a major financial support for the residents of the countryside village. It is a well-known fact that rural areas do not have a lot of big companies or organizations that can employ the residents. Hence the layoff would mean that those displaced workers will have to struggle to find another job or will have to migrate to another rural area in order to sustain. If the layoff takes place without prior notice, supporting their family would become difficult and they would struggle to survive only with the limited amount of savings they may have. The sudden layoff may also affect the recruitment process of other companies in the rural area. The laid-off workers may also consist of employees who are skilled, talented and good at their work. This would result in not being able to show their potential which could have led to career growth under favorable conditions. Poverty will increase in the society as 500-600 families will not be able to fulfil the basic necessities of life until they find a job that pays equally well. The unfavorable conditions will lead to changes in the economic growth and in turn will affect the GDP of California.

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN)-

In order to protect the interests of employees, the state of California, USA has introduced regulations for Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN). WARN protects employees, their families, and communities by requiring that employers give a 60-day notice to the affected employees and both state and local representatives prior to a plant closing or mass layoff. Advance notice provides employees and their families time to transition and adjust to the prospective loss of employment, time to seek alternative jobs and, if necessary, time to obtain skills training or retraining to successfully compete in the job market.

How Do Employers File a WARN Notice?

When notifying employees prior to a plant closing or mass layoff, any reasonable method of delivery that ensures receipt of notice at least 60 days before is acceptable (e.g., first class mail, personal delivery with optional signed receipt, etc.). Insertion of notice into pay envelopes is another viable option; however, a ticketed or preprinted notice regularly included in each employee’s paycheck or pay envelope does not meet the requirements.

There are two ways to file a WARN notice:

• By E-mail: [email protected] (preferred method)
• By Mail

What companies should observe-

Dignity, respect, and transparency are the values that leading organizations embrace during times of transformation. It is important for employers to note that some people, once they are out of a job (particularly if they have been in the position a very long time) don’t have the current skills to find a new job successfully on their own. Making sure impacted employees have the support they need is not only the right, ethical, and humane thing to do – it is the best way to ensure a positive employer brand and future business success.