Question

Case Study 2 Conner Leonard worked for Purges Manufacturing for 32 years. Along with four other men, he helped to start the company that designed and built products sold around the world. Purges Manufacturing grew and did very well, so well, in fact, that other companies wanted to buy it out. The com- pany was sold three times in 12 years. Each time, Conner held onto his job. He was no longer helping in the design process, and had a more diffi- cult time feeling pride in all the parts now made in another country where labor was cheap. Another buyout was looming. Conner knew he might be outsourced. 1. What kind of grief is Conner feeling? Justify your response. 2. Can you describe what it might be like to say good-bye to a job you loved, to a company you helped to build?

Answer 1

1) The kind of grief which Conner is feeling is anticipatory grief.

It is because he feels that he might be outsourced in future since another buyout was looming. He starts grieving before he has been actually outsourced. His feelings are related to the loss that might occur in future. His feelings are due to the response to the expected loss.

2) It is very painful when we say good - bye to a job which we loved and to a company which we helped to build. There are feelings of guilt, anxiety and sadness as we leave our current employer and co-workers behind. We might even feel depressed as we say good - bye to a job which we loved. These are some negative emotions which may be experienced by us as we say good - bye to a job which we loved or to a company which we helped to build.

However, once we get through the above emotional turmoil, we might begin to accept our decision to move on. This could also lead to self motivation and determination.