It is sad that times have changed over the years that there is no longer a sense of American business and the relationship they have with employees and the communities in which they were founded. I know it is happening other places not just Xerox but are companies really evolving into something that people are truly proud of? It used to mean something to work for a company and you made a few personal sacrifices every now and then to make a product that you were proud to say you were part of. In return you felt a sense of pride to tell others that you worked at Xerox. As a reward for working another year you got a little more put towards your pension and more time towards your severance package in times of restructuring or a vrif. In 2019 those who are still here will earn another year of service but in the name of "being competitive ", years of service is meaningless. How many of us were told at the family Christmas party by well meaning relatives, some former employees of Xerox to please leave? (We will, we are planning towards our future so please no trolls and their wake up and smell the coffee comments).
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I agree, after 32 years with Xerox and at the end of each year I looked back at what we did and looked forward to what we will do, but lately those feelings have changed to " do I have a job today?" Sad in deed it has come down this for the few of us tenured ones still here. I have begun the CHANGE to move on and I wish the BEST for us ALL moving forward.
Sad but true .
I was fortunate to of had a wise professor in my youth who told gave us each notebooks on graduation with the instruction - “when you first arrive at a job write down all the behaviors of your coworkers that drive you nuts and make you unproductive. Review that list every year, when you see yourself in those behaviors, find another position immediately”. I still have that notebook. My first position notes are “we have always done it that way”, “you can do that when I retire”, “I have been doing this for 30 years, you are wet behind the ears”, “our customers are dumb as rocks”, “get two levels of approval before you speak to me”. I remember clearly thinking I would never say those things to coworkers or customers, sure enough 4 years in and I was thinking a few of those and quickly found an internal position to relocate to. And so the process repeated for near on 40 years. The interesting thing has been the same things drive me nuts at 60 that did at 22. Which boil down to favoring hierarchy over knowledge, resistance to change, lack of empathy for customers.
I suppose I am an odd duck. Yes Xerox is a great company, but I have always taken pride in actions and deeds not affiliations. A heartfelt hand written thank you card from a coworker or customer has always meant more to me than the years of service certificates and trinkets.
I am at peace with any nudging I might get to the door. I feel my mind is just as nibble as the youth, but alas I know the HR machinations see just a number.
A few years back I started giving notebooks to my new hires. Whether in the future they view me as a fool or a wiseman is TBD.