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HardWorkinMom · Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:43 pm Post subject: Layoff Question

I really wasn't too sure where I should place this so I'm placing it here in hopes that someone can tell me if they think that an employee who has been laid off should be allowed to stay at work for the rest of the day. Most places have mass layoffs sometimes and these are harsh and messy things for everyone involved. A lot of the times the person who is being laid off is given a small severence letter, a meeting with human resources to discuss pay and benefits before being escorted out of the building immediately. Sometimes a lot of projects are left undone without any explanation. This seems like a big waste of time. Do you think that an employee who is being laid off should be allowed to stick around for the rest of the day to organize these things for the employee who will be finishing the work? Or do you think that this will just give the person time to send nasty emails to other people in the office and thus cause a lot of problems?

Robin · Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:13 pm Post subject: Depends on Circumstances

If people are sacked for disciplinary or other associated reasons, it is usual practice to terminate immediately and escort them from the premises. There are numerous good reasons for this, including the best interests of the person concerned.

If the circumstances are otherwise and there is no ill will between employee and employer, it's okay to allow a few days for them to clear out their desks and finalise their projects etc.

Ultimately it's a risk management issue. If you leave the person on the premises, will he or she create havoc, sabotage equipment, or otherwise act not in the company's interests?

julian · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 255 Career Advice: +2/-0

I totally agree with Robin here....if it's discliplinary, the person should leave immediately.
However, if the reasons are not disciplinary, there should be a 15 days notice from the part of the company and in these 15 days, a laid off person should take care of all the things you have mentioned. In the same way, if a person wants to leave the company, that person should also announce this 15 days in advance. Those 15 days ARE included in the salary/ final payment.

Workaholic · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:59 pm Post subject:

I honestly think that there should be a 2 week notice given to anyone for whom the layoff was due to the company's economic reasons. This would allow for the employee to complete projects and make any necessary arrangements. I've never heard of being laid off for disciplinary reasons, only fired in such cases.

Robin

When someone is "laid off", it is a softer term than sacked or fired and is usually done when economical matters require firms to reduce labour. However, the result is the same ... an employee finds him/herself without a job and an income.

When people have conditions of service that include a notice period and are fired instantly, firms are usually required by law to pay the two weeks (or other period that is the agreed notice period) in cash in lieu of notice.

Similarly, if you resign from a firm and don't give the required notice, the firm can legally claim the period of notice as a deduction from your salary owing.

HardWorkinMom · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:38 pm Post subject:

Thank you everyone for all of your help and advice here. Robin, you have been especially helpful. You've lent a lot of insight into things for me. I feel that I've been able to see things that I wouldn't have otherwise thought of or seen. I guess it really does depend upon the employee and the situation. Thank you!

Robin · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:55 pm Post subject: Pleased I Could Help

Happy to be of help to you.

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