Don’t Worry

We had been waiting for three weeks for a decision from corporate on which branches were going to be closed.

Everyone told me that I had nothing to worry about. My office was 200 percent over quota for the end of FY08 — the most profitable of the San Diego offices. I received the only bonus in San Diego for performance.

Each week all of the managers and reps would go to lunch to discuss the upcoming cuts. We made a deal that we would all get together the day of the cuts regardless of who was let go so that we could support each other. Time after time I heard, “You have nothing to worry about.”

I’m sitting at my desk; it’s 8:30 a.m. The phone rings. “Hey, Greg.” My heart is pounding so hard I feel as if I am outside of my body. “I am afraid I have some bad news. Your position has been eliminated. I’m sorry.” I am stunned.

Later that day I wait at our designated location. No one shows. Later I find out that I am the only one to lose a branch office. That was in April.

I realize now that it was the bonus that got me. The bonus was paid annually based on the amount of profit the business unit did for the fiscal year. Since I was the only profitable unit in San Diego, I was laid off and replaced by a manager with no incentive plan in place.

— Greg Benson
Former branch manager

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