Thread regarding Nike Inc. layoffs

I read through all the posts. I see both sides of the coin. Here is my take:

There are plenty of unspoken policy. ETWs are treated under different standard. The chance for conversion to FTE is always very low, but not impossible. By very low, it means that ETWs would have to fight among themselves for a few vacant positions. Unless there is pant expansion, new facilities (insight knowledge is the key), the conversion rate is very low. The vacant positions are mostly created after somebody retiring, getting fired, leaving for better job, disabled after illnesses. Nike may hire many more ETWs in than what they need to fill those vacant positions. They would screen and choose the very best. And they're in position where they can let go the entire ETW group, and get a new group in, until they can find workers that tick all the boxes! They always remind new hire during the the hiring process that there are thousands of resumes they're receiving. Who knows if this is true or not, but you get the idea!

They can move workers from other shift around, so that they can fill the vacant positions, to get away with perma-temp worker. Now they hire temp for the different shift instead! If you stay long enough as FTE, you would notice people know people from different shift all the time!

So if you want to be converted to FTW from ETW, learn to do the job as good as the top FTE workers in the shift. The lazier, less productive FTE workers can get away, carried by the good ones to hit target as a team, but ETW workers won't! ETWs can easily get fired by their first ever mistake on the supervisor's bad day. FTEs are protected by the discipline system, so they have much more leeway on " separate" "single" small issue.

I am a former ETW turn FTE. I am the only one converted from the group of 20 ETWs at the time. I had seen 3 groups of ETW in the past 3 years since I became FTE. One of the group completely gone. One group had 4 people kept. The last one got 2 people.

Another case here, my colleague and I are ETWs get dumped all the work. Been sold the idea of conversion for two years. The seniors in the team are forever busy for some unknown reasons and we ETWs have to shoulder all the work.
Worst still I was constantly shouted by the senior manager whenever she was in a foul mood like she would pick me of all people to reprimand and all my mates could attest.
After I tendered resignation Ms Gossipy Senior manager went around saying that I probably tendered because I knew she was gonna fire me. When I have like more than 2 offers outside this organization.
It baffles me how Nike does it’s hiring of these “FTEs”, so glad I left this toxic Organization or say department. Honest speaking if Nike hands you a ETW role and u have tons of offer outside do not, I repeat myself DO NOT TAKE That ETW role.

There is very slim chance of ETW being converted to FTE, its either you take it or leave it as a ETW as there are many others out there who are fine with being ETWs with no salary benefits/employee benefits.

I guess if you go in knowing:

• Everyday could be your last
• You are not an employee (quit crying about employees perks and FTE work life balance)
• A very low chance that you will be offered a FTE position based on your ETW work

Then sure why not....work as an ETW at nike.

What @3jrr is exactly right. Not everyone had the dame experience. I too started as an ETW for few months then converted to an FTE. I enjoyed being an ETW, my work got recognized quickly, and I got rewarded quickly as well.

I don’t agree with this post. I started as an ETW, and I’m now an FTE. Most of my team started as ETWs and are now FTEs. I do think EWT is a great way to get your foot in the door and build up relationships for future FTE roles.

There is significant risk with an ETW role, and you should absolutely be aware of that risk and have a plan in place prior to starting the contract. As a contractor, you are not a Nike employee and will not receive any benefits an FTE would get. There is NO guarantee your ETW position will become an FTE position, but network, network, network and apply for other FTE roles leveraging your network. Lastly, funding for contracts is often shaky and could change suddenly with no warning. When Nike’s budget is in the red, contracts are often cut. Make sure you have an emergency fund saved up just in case.

Nike will always take advantage of the person that "needs" the job. The reason they take a lot of deals with new'ish companies to get sh-t for free. I also knew a SAP consultant with huge bill rate...and overtime he was crushing it....nike told him you won't work any overtime and you will still make your date....basically saying don't bill any overtime..but work it...of course he took it because it was a huge resume builder for him and still money was very good.

Nike is abusing the "perma temp" lawsuit that Microsoft was sued for in the 2000s. That's why the 2080 rule exists and you're forced to take a hiatus. ETWs do most of the work and FTEs just cruise through their work ques. Reason I state this is because FTEs are usually the first one to "push back" work if you assign it in ques or try to hand it off via Slack.

Maybe one day Nike will get sued or we could all do a class action. Ha ha. Nikes corporate lawyers are not d-mb and side skirt these issues within the confines of the labor law.

The one thing I don't understand is how they can place you "on call" if your contract never stated that. The ETW contract involves no input from the contractor themselves. Very obe sided, if you proposed your own clauses I doubt they'd even sigh it or consider you.

I was told that some 1099 contractors pitch their own contract to flex unlimited. Not a bad idea. Why do you need it a shyster contractor agency? All they are is a shoe in...

Agreed. I can't remember how many times I was told by recruiters that going the extra mile as an ETW was a sure way to get converted. Never stay in your role as an ETW for longer than a year. If you're not converted then it's time to move on because you'll be doing a lot of hard work for nothing.