Amazon Tries To Buy Ex-Worker Loyalty
from the the-fine-line-between-being-generous-and-offering-bribes dept
Apparently, as part of their severance options, Amazon.com is offering laid off employees extra money for signing an agreement not to “disparage” the company. Union officials are telling the employees not to sign it. Amazon claims they’re just being generous. It seems a little questionable that in order to partake of the generosity you need to sign an extra piece of paper.
Comments on “Amazon Tries To Buy Ex-Worker Loyalty”
Standard Practice, More or Less
Any severance package I’ve ever been offered has come with some strings attached: that I’ll assist the company (at their expense) in any legal matters arising from what I worked on, that I’ll not bring any lawsuit over my termination, that I’ll uphold confidentiality agreements, etc. Since the employer is generally not obligated to provide any kind of severance package, it’s not unreasonable to expect a little give and take.
Re: Standard Practice, More or Less
After reading a couple of news articles with some quotes from the laid-off workers, I have even less sympathy for them. It seems that too many people who entered this dot-com workforce felt that they were guaranteed a ticket to easy street, and even in the face of layoffs they still feel like they’re owed something extra. Severance packages come with conditions — that’s standard. If you have a real grievance, don’t take the package and take your chances in court instead.
Re: Re: Standard Practice, More or Less
Amazon, always one to react promptly to media criticism, has announced that workers no longer need to sign the agreement.