I was one of the the 600 that was laid off last November 8th. It was a pretty rough time for me. I found employment a few months later making entry level wages. Slowly but surely I was able to crawl out of the whole and was reminded that I really had skills and value as an employee. I was then recruited by one of the departments on campus that understood what a good employee I had been all of those years at the bookstore. I am now working as a customer service manager, making a decent wage and love the team that I work with. It wasn't easy but there are so many opportunities out there and people who will treat you well and appreciate you. Don't sell yourself short. I am blessed to have so much to look forward to this holiday season instead of the fear that Follett was instilling in their employees when we were all working so hard to reach their impossible goals. Thinking of those who are still there and am here to say, there is a wonderful life after Follett.
24 replies (most recent on top)
48037, I agree since they probably can't or don't "get off" very often. LOL!
If you're assigned a department that you aren't qualified to manage, you have to have a lead or a manager in the department who is qualified and whom you trust. If there is no such person, hire one. If your manager won't allow you source and hire that person, write a report on why it is important to the business that this person be hired. Do a SWOT analysis of your new department. Have it put into your file. Continue to provide business rationale as to why the person must be hired. Past that, do your best with what you have.
49176....I had my bag packed and had already taken personal pictures home a few weeks prior. They still wasted time in send me things I didn't need or want.
They will TRY to make your life miserable because they are miserable people. Why else would they go through lengths to ensure your misery? Believe in your skill set, be happy and don't let them get more mindspace than they need. The EEOC thought things contained in my documentation was astounding.
Document and save copies of everything i including all your past reviews. Remember not to leave anything at work you because you won't be able to take anything home, not even your own books and papers that belong to you. They will ship you your personal pictures only.
It's happening to a lot of Follett employees. I refuse to comply. Let them fire me because I can't do everything they are trying to force me to do. I'm documenting EVERYTHING! Every conversation. The date and the time. Recording as well. This is bullcrap. I'm not going to be treated this way.
As I read this I feel some relief that this isn't only happening to me. At the same time I'm horrified that it's happening to many!
Interesting. So how should one handle this type of situation of basically being forced to work in a department one is not qualified for?
Behavior issue = refused to be oppressed any longer. Tyrants get off on firing those types.
Ahhhhh, the infamous "behavior" issue.
Suddenly stupid tactic- your manager backs you into a corner and documents how you fight back. The manager may even call corp hr to help her/him with the overly emotional employee.
Another tactic- assign a department to you that you are not qualified to manage. At that point, the abusive manager will begin to micromanage in an attempt document your incompetence. If you push back that will be cited as a behavior issue. It is brutal. It also costly. It would make more sense to simply lay off the employee and pay the severance. They pay so much more in management costs, downtime do to the disfunctional office, and legal costs the severance is a bargain.
I begin the Monday dread every Sunday night.
LOL at 48833! Most Sunday nights I'd be treading starting the work week the next day. Not because I didn't like my job, but because of the environment and people. Now I no longer have to watch my back, be subjective to a tyrant nor model myself after someone who wears dresses short enough that if they slightly bent over, you could see their butt!
To reply to 48827: Suddenly stupid" is a proven tactic of companies to get rid of older, better paid employees. All of a sudden, you can do nothing right, your manager will not engage you or look you in the eyes, I was called in and given a last warning after NEVER having a warning, a note, a reprimand .......zip! I knew what was happening and decided to get out with my pride and sanity intact. To 48833: trust me honey, I did plenty of that in my day, but I was still a very good Manager. BTW: there is no one and I mean no one in the Follett organization that I would bother to put on heels for!!!
You should've worn short dresses, off the shoulder tops and played damsel in distress.
Suddenly stupid means "I am actually stupid and don't need anyone around who might show me up and possibly make me look more stupid." In these cases, you have to play along, stroke egos andale the person seem like a genius. I'll pass on that level of nonsense!
Ha! Yep, some certified, bonafide bullshit.
48358, yes, it did, I was shocked! I'm pretty sure I was set up, but couldn't prove it.
Thank you for sharing. The implicit lesson is to look for the better solution before the Follett goons back you into a corner. When you're in a corner you blame yourself for backing into it. Don't expect a severance. Don't expect anything but abuse from Follett. It is a refreshing reminder that outside of follett, abuse is unusual. Congratulations!
Did your suddenly stupid start with corrective action?
I left my job after realizing that my Manager was trying to force me out with the SUDDENLY STUPID routine. Took the summer off, got a great tan, and accepted a lower paying job with NO weekends, nights or football seasons. I'm on the low end of the pay scale but my nerves are great, I'm sleeping again and got away from all the back stabbing and drama queens. Love my new job and Follett is becoming a distant, if lousy memory. BTW, I FORCED Follett to pay me unemployment by threatening a lawsuit.
The question many of us face is do we leave on our own after finding a job and bypassing severance, or do we wait to see what happens and likely be out of work for a few months if laid off. Your updates provide me with hope and optimism. Thanks for sharing.
That is good to hear! Remember, everyone will eventually reap what they sow. There is indeed life after Follett. No one should have to fear their managers or losing their jobs. Be glad you escaped a mentally and emotionally abusive environment.
Amen! I have a similar story. Everything happens for a reason. Glad to hear all is well!