he gave me his personal guarantee that things here would never impact peoples' personal lives to a severe degree.

we'll see about that.

After layoffs, someone usually has to go out and play good cop so that the rest of the team stays with the program rather than waiting for the other shoe to drop and browsing the want ads all day.

That being said, he sounds just creepy.

Sounds like a good time to demand a raise.

This behatted mofo plays both good and bad cop. He's schizoCop.

Also, Trish, put 2 & 2 together.

I've usually worked for small companies where senior management knew me personally, so yes, I've been treated with a lot of respect by CEOs and whatnot. But just because they're being respectful doesn't mean they're not flat out lying.

Oh, and did I forget to mention that I had to dismiss him away from my desk?

Hmmm, did he mention anything about his wife not understanding him while he was at it?

It's SOP, just keep an eye out. He squatted down 'cause he read it in a book. The waiters at Outback (and other corporate theme resturants) do it too, increases tips.

They are running plays outta the dotcom bubble playbook. It certainly means your job is probably currently safe.

well, if you manage to get any pull with him, make sure your departing homies are taken care of during the current purgatory.

I agree with the "means nothing" crowd. A company will tell you anything (even if it's a lie) so that you don't quit- they will lay you off when they're good and ready, and if you leave too soon, or the people they weren't planning to leave off leave, it upsets their numbers.

My partner just survived a buyout and is in the process of leaving for another company (along with a co-worker who was also not laid off), and you wouldn't believe how pissed the powers that be are at him for fouling up their careful plans. Never mind that his position in the new company was a pale shadow of the job he used to have... he was supposed to take it and smile, I guess.

Management are sharks, he's playing the game and soothing feathers that have been ruffled.

Did he offer to continue the chat over drinks?

Don't trust him but work him as much as you can and doing your best to help protect your homies will pay off in great karma down the line.

BoringPostcards, funny how they never think about the changes they are making and how they'll affect the people that will have to deal with them. Good for your partner for not taking it!

layoffs happened not too long ago here.

They did similar stuff.

it was because:
1. after having ditched a bunch of people, they couldn't afford to have others leave out of fear they would be next.
2. sucking up, since layoffs generally mean a shitton more work for those who remain.

Some of the people given this speach were told they would be fine.

A month later, when the new facility in India was set up, they were gone. The powers that be just couldn't afford to lose them before then.

Don't let your guard down. Good luck.

Words from these kinds of people mean nothing. I dont mean that cynically; they mean literally nothing.

Unless I get some kind of legally binding document, anything I hear from these types just sounds like Charlie Brown's parents to me.

I second all the negativity. Words mean nothing in the corporate world. That whole "sit down by you" thing is not something he thought up on his own - he was coached/read it in a book/whatever. The reason it comes off as creepy, is well, it is. Watch your back, TL. Get out while you can.

LT

They are running plays outta the dotcom bubble playbook. It certainly means your job is probably currently safe.

I agree, and third the negativity. His words are not worth a thing. I have totally lived through this. Start looking for jobs now!

And the jerk had the nerve to squat down. Ooh! (Not that I know him or anything.)

Oops, I guess my comments don't match all of the quote. No, I don't believe your job is safe. But if it is, it never hurts to have an up-to-date resume and some leads waiting in the wings.

He even squatted down (because I was seated) so he could look me in the eye while he gave me his personal guarantee that things here would never impact peoples' personal lives to a severe degree.

I just snorted half a macaroon through my nose. This kind of promise is worth the paper it's written on, and less. Get your resume in shape and keep your interview suit pressed. It would be nice if you don't have to use them, but you must be prepared.

And yeah, I've had plenty of upper managers treat me extremely politely and nicely and whatnot. (I've also had some that were complete dicks.) As everyone else has said, it doesn't mean that they're not lying about this sort of thing. If your manager wants to reassure you about your position with the company, it's because it's in the company's best interests right now not to lose you. If their best interests change, they will show you the door and not blink while they're doing it, promises from a squatting VP or no promises from a squatting VP. It's a bottom line thing: as long as they can profit from your labor, they'll keep you around.

Trisha
When I say your job is probably currently ok, what I am saying is don't assume this move to be about anything other than placating the people who didn't get laid off already. It doesn't mean you're solid gold, but you know that. The squatting down thing is literally the most partronizing move in the whole upper managment arsenal.

I'm with scody and the others--completely....they know morale is impaired there and that's why he's going around. it's a mindgame.

He could be a genuine nice guy (i've had very good experiences with VPs and Execs at my current place), but there's always some reason they do stuff like that. I often find that brusque, even dickish execs are better--they're much more honest about stuff, and don't play games that way.

... has any senior management person ever treated you with that much respect?
Yeah once, right before he sacked my arse.

Just to add to the pile-on here, I hope you are seriously browsing the job ads, because my experience is that, not too long afer the first round of lay-offs comes the second, third etc.

He could be a genuine nice guy but, if he was, he wouldn't use cliched actions to try and disarm you, he would just tell it straight.