Thread regarding Follett layoffs

Leaving the book industry was the best thing I ever did

@Dudes......I don't 100% agree with that statement. Yes, move on. However, if you were wronged, pursue legal action. If you don't just know wrongful actions always catch up with those who commit them.

Executive; please continue to post and give a perspective most of us never see. I saw a store manager take 3 senior people on his management team and drive them out using the same exact tactic. All were women in their 50's with at least 15 years of Follett experience. They were all placed in a position where they would have to make choices in how to solve problems. The outcomes weren't important. Each choice was questioned and reversed. Each woman was publicly dressed down for the choice. Each woman was asked to think about their future. One was fired, one accepted demotion and one left. That is a designed program. There must be a smoking gun somewhere.

Your perspective is welcome. Please share what you saw and understood. Please suggest alternative reasons things happen. Your perspective will enrich this board.

There is no case to be made. You will not get some sort of settlement. Follett is sleazy but not criminal.

Move.....on.

@Please help us understand how we can document the policy of "suddenly stupid" - If I knew of a concerted effort or had a smoking gun, I would share it, but I don't. I don't have any specific knowledge of anyone's situation but my own. I may have worked in a different business unit. Morally wrong and illegal are not always the same thing. But, in regard to justice for wrongs, I do believe that when an organization continues to ignore basic right and wrong, it isn't going to ever be healthy or able to create the passion and energy that it takes to survive and succeed. This stuff eats at everyone's soul, people - not just the people directly impacted. The Voice survey recap shared in another thread is a pretty clear example and proof of the damage of these lingering scars, no? This stuff doesn't go away with PR crisis management and the scars don't heal with a two day brainstorming session and memos saying the culture needs to change. The CULTURE REALLY NEEDS TO CHANGE, in fundamental ways. Being able to move on is not giving Follett any kind of a pass. Companies don't survive when they repeatedly make stupid and bad ethics decisions. There is some justice in that. I recognized the footprint of my own pain in this thread and that is why I spoke up - to share how I'm dealing with it. I would help differently if I could, but this is the only help I have to give. It sucks, I know.

Thank you Ms., Mr. Sr executive for posting. Please come back. Please help us understand how we can document the policy of "suddenly stupid". Like you, many of us over 50 years old (and many of whom gave 20+ years to the company) were driven out. We were put in positions to make us fail. We were valued members of our teams, and then we became hated by our management. We, too, didn't take a package. We were given little time to get out. We weren't paid an executives salary, nor did we have the connections an executive has. We do have scars. We do have lower paying jobs. We want a fair settlement. No lawyer will touch our cases because there is no smoking gun. A sr executive has to have knowledge of what transpired. Tell us. Please. Tell us.

So sad so many people feel this way, put feelers out for new jobs, I have. In the meantime, I am tired of whiney, micro-managing store manager, gives you a job to do but no time time to complete, nag as to why it isn't done, even though the SM should be doing it & will get kudos so doing it, sighhhh, give me the strength

I am sure that many Follett employees are sharing very similar lives. I dreaded coming to work for the past three years. Difficult to come to work, hoping for changes to leaders that you don't respect and don't know the business, short term decision making at the top and constant criticism. I left Follett a couple of months ago and I too can say the there is life and happiness outside of Follett. It is difficult to leave something that was once good, but it is likely the good Follett is not coming back. They have permanently damaged too many of their employees, lost their leadership in the industry and just don't understand employees and books. We had a good run, but all runs come to an end.

@ "I haven't posted here much"-- I salute you brother (or sister), I really do. Stand up for what you believe in and share your experience. You don't sound bitter. You sound genuine and that's what stands out. Be well.

I haven't posted here much, but it's the right time to start sharing. I left Follett about two weeks ago. I resigned after being transferred against my wishes from the best manager I've ever worked for, to report to someone who spent the last several years marginalizing and discounting my work and impact.

The net of my story, like others that have posted here before me, is that I was forced out after nearly 10 years of working very hard and putting Follett first. I am over 50 and I was not shy about sharing perspectives about the market and Follett that made some people uncomfortable. I was a senior-level executive and took my role and responsibilities seriously. I didn't confront leadership mistakes directly or publicly, and I didn't counter leadership decisions or positions, but I did always try to add value, perspective, and balance to help Follett improve its situation, regardless of whether it meant taking a popular position or an unpopular one. I stupidly, simply thought that is what I was being paid to do - give my best, put Follett first, think about myself second.

One recent day the BS, the dishonestly, the arrogance, the lack of respect and leadership integrity just finally exceeded even my very patient tolerance level. I made the choice to leave on my own with no exit package safety net and little advance planning. Not the ideal exit, but I finally reached the cliff and made the tough choice that it was better to jump than to spend one more day feeling as bad, as hopeless, and frustrated as these thoughtless, arrogant a**holes made me feel.

I could share a lot of stories. Some are heartbreaking and others are already humorous, with even just the rear-view mirror distance of a few weeks. But I won't. At least not just yet.

What I will say right now, two weeks post-Follett, also echos what others have posted before. THERE IS LIFE beyond Follett. The education market may be tough, but if you are a person that is anguishing, that cares that much, you will do well somewhere else. Probably almost anywhere else.

It is really hard to let go of what was, what could have been and what should have been. But, under this leadership at the top levels of the organization, barring some acquisition miracle, I doubt that it ever will be. And. you are just wasting precious days and minutes that you will never get back. It is hard to let go. It is hard to not feel cheated and angry, but it's the only way to stop losing more than you have already lost.

For those of you who are still fighting the good fight and not hating getting up in the morning, I say good for you. Do your best. I'm glad you have a place that works for you. I truly still hope and wish the best for you and for this company. I can't help that. It's part a part of my life that I cared about greatly.

At the same time I also know, I don't owe Follett one more minute of my life, my skills or expertise, and I have no regrets at all for having finally come to realize that. Even if it does mean living on ramen noodles and couch change for a while. There just isn't a price that can be put on dignity and integrity.

I certainly am. Beware, this makes great troll food. Expect a 'zomgs leave losers lololz!' Post within a day or the 'it's your faultsz!' Too. Most of us however just want to work a job where they don't feel like death. But that seems an exception and not the rule

Sadly I think many feel this way.

i am with you bro