- Anything Else -

Crusoe didn't own the island.

In Reply to: Robinson Crusoe posted by The Everett Citizen on October 24, 1997 at 01:17:39:

Wow! I've never seen a famous fictional story rewritten in such a way to illustrate employer-employee relationships. But if I recall, Crusoe shipwrecked on that island, and by situation was forced to do what he could to survive. In other words, he didn't own that anymore than Friday did.

Although layoffs suck, there are times when they cannot be avoided. But I do believe the approach to the inevitable traumatic event should be handled better than it often is. The humane thing to do is give the affected employees AS MUCH NOTICE AS POSSIBLE to the inevitable, instead of just telling them something like "We're automating so effective immediately, your position is cancelled.", and then abrubtly kicking them to the curb. The trucking company I used to work for (I ran batch reports and other operations tasks on the IBM 36 there.) was notorious for eliminating positions on the spot. (An epilogue: said trucking company folded completely in 1991.)

As for your illustration, it is quite intense. Most communities in North America are not wholey-company-owned. That trend never was big and it's all but extinct now. And unless you've agreed to the terms of an early retirement, there is nothing to stop you from hiring on at a competitor, or starting a business to compete with your former employer, provided you don't copy said former employer's product designs or use their name.

Follow Ups:

• So who owns the island you are shipwrecked on now? The Everett Citizen IWW OBU October 29 1997 (0)