The Office "Art Imitates Life."

I am a huge Office fan. Huge. It is the only sitcom, save Seinfeld, I have really ever liked. But even with Seinfeld I didn't have to watch it each week, with The Office I can't miss. Then again Seinfeld is on about ten times a day on different channels. Anyhow back to The Office, so far this season hasn't quite captured the level of last season, although there have been some good moments. Perhaps none better than the opening tonight with Jim faxing Dwight pretending he is Dwight from the future corresponding with him. Priceless. The topic of the episode was downsizing and firing. In US business, yes I am going to be serious now, it seems there is this idea that it is okay to let go of employees without telling them until the last minute. Even on the show as soon as Michael found out he was told not to tell his employees. For once I agreed with him that Toby was a traitor. Of course Michael told his employees, cause he can't keep a secret, and he wants to be a people pleaser. Here is the art imitating life part though.

Last week my brother in law was "let go of". There was no warning, no real hint a few weeks or month ago, just a bonus the week before and a "Hey its great to have you." pep talk during the week. So when he got canned he was floored as well as out of a job. Here is where I have a problem with it, you know as well as I do that many months before they were planning this, they could have given a warning or hint. I don't even really know why they didn't. I mean if you are going to have to cut employees why not tell them a few months in advance and let them leave on their own terms. That's all anyone wants is to leave on their own terms. I feel terrible for them, they were going to move, now they are going to be scraping to make payments. All I can say is that if you are ever in a position where you know that cuts are coming then you should without question or hesitation warn those who will be affected as soon as possible. It is only fair, it is only what you would want, it is the right thing to do. Let them leave on their own terms.