Caring for Soon-to-be-ex-employees

On Saturday March 4th, The West Australian reported that, "More than 650 jobs would be axed under Alinta's attempts to slash $100 million in costs through its proposed merger with a reluctant Australian Gas Light." (The West, page 61.) Oh dear, what a pity, 650 employees sacked. Still, if it makes a profit -- who cares about the employees?

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Thinking Lateral
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Alinta forecast a benefit of $2.55 per share -- what a great result from kicking out just 15% of AGL+Alinta employees! Not to worry. Those employees will just get jobs somewhere else, maybe. Or they'll go on the dole. Or maybe have their lives shattered because they have no other employment options after years with one employer. Anyway, Alinta will probably hire an out-placing specialist, a company to ease the transition from employment to unemployment. Not to worry. Actually, I made up that bit about the out-placing specialist. It will probably happen: pass responsibility to someone else, get these people out of our offices as quickly as possible... But this was not suggested in the newspaper report. The 650 employees are just a number associated with a cost saving. There may be plans to deal with them, it was not important enough to rate a mention.

Protecting the employee

By Wednesday, though, the news was better: at least one employee will be treated well after a merger. One employee will, "walk away with a $12 million payout without doing a day's work if Alinta's plan comes off." (The West, 8 Mar 2006, page 47.) Isn't that nice -- a happy result for an AGL employee. Gives you a nice, warm glow inside, doesn't it. I just hope that the warm glow lasts you through winter, if you're one of the other 649 who could soon be out of work.

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Independent Thinking
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