Utterly Shameful

I'm disgusted by what happened to my brother-in-law. Don't know if it was called laid off or early retirement. I call it utterly shameful.

My brother-in-law, who has been married to my sister for 35 years started with this company when they got married. That's right...he's been with the same company for 35 years! And after 35 faithful years, they decided to let him go. To be fair, I understand that companies are hurting in this economy and must make difficult decisions - like letting people go - to stay in operation. What is shameful is how they treated him before they let him go and the measly severance pay they gave him.

First they sent him to an out-of-country office to train the people who would ultimately replace him. Then they transferred him to a department that he knew nothing about (and they knew that) and expected him to learn it all. Most insulting was the mere 6-month severance pay they gave him.

I don't think it was necessary to belittle him like that. The right thing to do would have been to let him know what's going on and negotiate an early retirement package. And the LEAST amount of severance pay should have been one year...remember, he gave 35 years.

My brother-in-law is in his 50s and has had only one job all his life. I don't know if there are many options out there for him. To be given only 6 months pay under the circumstances is wrong, just wrong.

Shame on you APL. Shame on you!