The News Rehashed-”Ch10 Anchor Gets Canned”

Well its no surprise that company after company have had round after round of layoffs. With the economy as it is, it’s unfortunate and unavoidable. But since I entered the work force almost 20 years ago there has been a a noticeable steady decline in the amount of decency employers have when it come times to support or let go good employees. As Marty Matthews of WTSP Ch10 has discovered.After more than 15 years delivering news to Tampa Bay area viewers, Marty Matthews’ career at WTSP-Ch. 10 ended Tuesday with a manila envelope left on the doorstep of her St. Petersburg home. (excerpt  from TBT)

Is it possible Marty Matthews was gonna take her AK-47 to work on Tuesday when they planned on canning her. Was she gonna open fire and take out VP’s and execs on a rage filled killing spree. Thus making the news herself, “News woman makes CH 10 news worthy again“. I really really doubt it.

In the last 20 years I’ve noticed that the way my parents generation, generations before them and in between us had support and confidence in their employment has so sadly declined. My father worked for Goldwater Memorial Hospital and NYU for more than 20 years. And in that time he enjoyed his work and the people he worked for. Sad to say he left the his job upon retirement age because he knew his immediate boss was well an ASS, but she had connections. Eventually it would be him or her and well he decided it was time.

It was what I believe was the beginning of a time when 10 or 20 years working for a company meant no more than just being hired. I understand that in times like this layoffs and downsizing are inevitable but can’t we let people go with a little dignity.  Marty Matthews had 13 years with Channel 10 but in the end they didn’t have the common decency to lay her off face to face. Simply an envelope left on her doorstep filling her in. What’s next firing by Postit left on your desk or car window?

I have always felt that the employer/employee relationship has been broken since I started in the workforce. Employees are always looking for the better job thus never staying at a job very long. The employer is always looking for a way to cut the chaff. How did this start? I believe its the employers fault. Sorry if I offend, but there really was a time when you knew that a company was behind you and now a lot of times its a toss up. Confidence in the people that write your check is important. I mean look at your Enron’s or Adelphia’s really. It seems like no remembers that the work place is a symbiotic environment. Unless you work for yourself employees and employers need to each other in some respect.

All I think an employee can ask for in these bad times is a little respect when being let go. I mean they’re gonna be mad anyway but at least someone looks them in the eye when pulling the carpet from under them.

RAS

P.S. Now yes TBT only told the Matthews side of this but really what can CH 10 say was the reasoning behind this action that would make any of us say “oh yeah, I get it“.