Until and unless things drastically improve, I will be filing chapter 11 bankruptcy for a local factory in a year or less. The place is going fucking broke, plain and simple....The factory simply doesn't have the orders coming in or money to pay for suppliers and payroll. Tried my absolute best rebalancing the company's books, but still had no choice but to recommend reducing work hours and laying some people off. The only thing to be done is try to keep the place floating as long as possible, but.... I'm afraid the best I could offer the people laid off was a well written letter of recommendation and the promise that I recommend they be hired back as soon as possible if orders picked up.
The owner wanted to fight the state unemployment office on benefits, because it would cost the company money. I had some time convincing him that it was a losing battle (entirely true). If he had stuck to his guns and (stupidly) gone ahead with the fight, then I couldn't have even drafted the laid off employees the letters of recommendation. I understand that it costs you money, but damn 1.) you have no case, period, because they weren't fired for cause, 2.) the state will beat you senseless, and 3.) at some point these people didn't do anything wrong, why screw them over...?
Sometimes there really aren't good answers and I hate that. It makes me feel like I'm somehow not smart enough. I've done similar things before even as a clerk and managed to avoid laying off anyone. I can't find these individuals jobs elsewhere either.... I can't even negotiate a long term bulk purchase contract from suppliers to shore up funds. I fear I've exhausted my bag of tricks. Exactly 5,218 people work there on three shifts... currently....
God damn it brain, make the pieces fit....