The Shock-and-Shame Tactic

Just came across this in an Amazon book review by a certain Craig Matteson. Man, the last sentence is right on target.

"The problem is that when we have a job we tend to invest in the illusion of security. We also feel disloyal to our employer if we prepare for the time of separation. The funny thing is that when the whack comes (and to often it is as unforseen as a club to the back of the head) you can bet that the company has prepared very carefully every aspect of our severance package before they apply that hit to the sweet spot on your noggin.

Very few people have the clout to get an employment contract, let alone negotiate up front for a separation arrangement. For most of us we live in an 'at will' world. The author points out that this 'at will' isn't necessarily as one-sided as our employers would have us believe.

They rely on the shock of the moment, our lack of preparation, and our shame for losing our job to streamline us into signing away rights and getting the heck out of dodge."