Help me (possibly) save my job!

[Odesseiron]

Okay, so I'll keep this as short as possible, and then spoiler the actual letter so it's not a giant wall o' text.

I work for the gov't, in an office that is federally funded, Section 8. Being that we're federally funded, we did not think we had to worry about employee cuts. I know nobody is immune to getting fired from any position, but we had someone tell us a bold face lie (though what govenment office doesn't have it's share of liars?) Out of the blue we were told we would be losing 2 employees in 2 weeks. I DOUBT it affects me at all, but I'm preparing just in case, if they drop the bomb in 2 weeks. I'm not part of the program that got cut mentioned in my letter. We're also represented by a union, so lots of hell can be raised.

I think I get my actual questions across in the letter okay, but I suck at writing letters to officials. Writing in general kinda. Last writing class I took was over 10 years ago. While I like to do it, I'm awful at it and use punctuation and grammar so please feel free to correct it and rephrase it however you like. Names and such are removed due to privacy issues.

inb4 inb4's. I'm looking for legitmate help here, not sarcastic responses. I'm sure I will get my share of them though. I'm gonna present it to a select number of people I know I can trust at work to see what they think. If you have any other questions, I'll answer them as best I can. Not looking to sound bitchy here, just looking to save my ass should anything happen. Not looking to keeping it too long, though feel free to add as much as you like.

Spoiler: show

To Whom It May Concern:

Today I was informed with the unfortunate news I was to be laid off. While I respect XXX County’s & Mrs. X's decision to make the right choice, I cannot help but wonder there being some underlying issues with this resolution.

Firstly I must say I deeply regret you felt the need to release me from employment. The loss of a job is never an easy thing. More than myself though, I also worry about my place of (or former place of) employment, Section 8. With the two people including myself today let go, the office will suffer even greater than it has. There was much strain already in the office with the retirement of four individuals. I cannot even begin to imagine how things might run with the loss of two more employees, and the overall morale of the office.

Then earlier this year, it was announced that Section 8 would be merging with the Department of Social Services. At that meeting, Mrs. X announced that Section 8 was to be one of, if the only, department to not suffer any staff cuts due to the budget. My questions are fairly simple. What suddenly changed that we had to lose an additional two employees on top of the four that have already retired? And what of Mrs. X said? We had 45 people hear her say there would not be any staff cuts. Was she out of place when she said this, or are there other factors which we do not know of? With our office already losing 10% why must we lose an additional 5%? Where are the cuts in the planning department at in ?? Avenue. With that, why are there 3 people in that building under Section 8’s budget, when they do not work with us? I feel all of these questions are equally important and deserve answers. I understand people are unable to see into a crystal ball, but the statements made were hardly anything to be taken lightly.

The retiring of those four employees is one of the topics I wish to discuss. Late last year, it was asked of every department to prepare a budget that would save 10-20 percent preparing for budget cuts/constraints. It was hard to imagine our office running on far less assets. With Ms. A, Ms. B, Ms. C, and Mrs. D all leaving the department, that alone is 10 percent of our employees. Ms. A and Ms. B were Program Administrator and Program Specialist, respectively. This alone should factor in huge savings. I understand in not replacing jobs through attrition is necessary at this juncture. This however, also saves the department the same amount of money as if they were laid off.

To my understanding, the whole reason this layoff is occurring is because the FSS program budget was reduced by more than $100,000. I would see how this can affect the employment, but at the same time am confused by something. I myself have nothing at all to do with the FSS program at all, so why am I the one being affected by this layoff? Should it not affect the employees directly related to the program? More importantly, with one of the few departments that brings in guaranteed revenue every single year, why are cuts necessary at all? The section 8 program brings in over $3,500,000 a year. More than enough to cover all of it’s employees.

You might see why I am concerned. We have not received any reasons for these cuts. Mrs. X, who is one of the heads of the planning department, refuses to offer us any kind of information, and will not come to the employees of Section 8. Instead, we must rely on information that is trickled down. If she were to come over to our office and explain the situation, we might understand the situation. I do not think that is too much to ask as an employee, or the head of the department.

I ask that the questions presented in this letter are looked at and addressed properly. More so, I ask that the decision to lay me off is reconsidered, for all of the reasons listed above.

Sincerely,
XXXX

[deiopea]

By the time they announce that ppl are going to be let go, they have already decided on who they are. At least, that's what I understand.

[Pirian]

http://hippiekiller.files.wordpress....08/06/bobs.jpg

Your name is Michael Bolton?

[Mojo]

You know, you could just call me Mike.

[Velgadess]

By the time they announce that ppl are going to be let go, they have already decided on who they are. At least, that's what I understand.

^
work for DoD Navy. letter isn't going to change things, infact you may end up doing more harm. what I'd be preparing for is requesting from your supv./higher up muckity mucks for letters of recommendation. if you hold any sorta of security clearance, thats a + in getting (re)hired elsewhere.

[Maaglin]

Letter won't change anything, and in all honesty, you come off as a whiny douche in it.

Above advice is good. Instead dwelling/complaining on why you may be losing this job, start getting ready for the next job, i.e., updated resume, references, recommendations, etc.

[Jicent]

Ooooooh so you work for those people that give the cheap housing to the Ne'er-do-well's.

[Arcana]

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_PC_X5GV5c0/0.jpg

PC Load Letter WTF!?

[aduidarnenye]

Don't do the letter. Do up a new CV and start looking for a new job as a backup plan.

[Odesseiron]

Appreciate what you guys have to say. I know it does sound whiny in the letter. we are however represented by a union, and it is there to protect the employees from stupid shit. Now I'm not one of those people who is like "Oh I'm in a union, I'm entitled to everything" Cause I'm definitely not. The new executive for the county presented all these different alternatives to save jobs. Contributing to health care, furloughs, no salary increase, etc. I'm a realist, I know it's gotta give somewhere. Honestly, I would gladly contribute to health insurance (we pay nothing) or take a 5 day furlough to save jobs. Unfortunately most of the workers do have that mentality of "It wasn't in the contract, so I'm not accepting it! And I'm entitled to more."

They use the union to fight the stuff like that, and whatever. Let them. I'd actually like to use it to save myself or someone elses job.

[Komm Suesser Tod]

Appreciate what you guys have to say. I know it does sound whiny in the letter. we are however represented by a union, and it is there to protect the employees from stupid shit. Now I'm not one of those people who is like "Oh I'm in a union, I'm entitled to everything" Cause I'm definitely not. The new executive for the county presented all these different alternatives to save jobs. Contributing to health care, furloughs, no salary increase, etc. I'm a realist, I know it's gotta give somewhere. Honestly, I would gladly contribute to health insurance (we pay nothing) or take a 5 day furlough to save jobs. Unfortunately most of the workers do have that mentality of "It wasn't in the contract, so I'm not accepting it! And I'm entitled to more."

They use the union to fight the stuff like that, and whatever. Let them. I'd actually like to use it to save myself or someone elses job.

As a fellow union employee (Teamsters), while you do have recourse to save yourself from being fired, if you're the low man on the seniority totem pole, you can still be laid off/downsized without much help from them.

Oh, and if you think the union can save you, don't write your boss, find your union rep and talk to him, immediately. They won't just show up and magically save your ass, you have to go to them.

[Shalyn]

As a fellow union employee (Teamsters), while you do have recourse to save yourself from being fired, if you're the low man on the seniority totem pole, you can still be laid off/downsized without much help from them.

Oh, and if you think the union can save you, don't write your boss, find your union rep and talk to him, immediately. They won't just show up and magically save your ass, you have to go to them.

Agreeing with this and the person who said that they've probably already decided who they are going to lay off. The letter won't do anything, unfortunately. If they were so quick about lay-offs to begin with (giving only 2 weeks notice), your bosses were probably pressured by theirs and then theirs, etc. They're worrying about their own hides by now, I'm thinking. Do what Komm is saying and talk to your union rep about the situation ASAP. Even if nothing comes of it and you weren't one selected for dismissal, you pay your dues for a reason, make them earn it

[Mistress Stowastiq]

From your post it sounds as if you are not sure if you are fired yet.
From the letter, it sounds as if you are aware that you have been and are reacting to it.

So are you fired or just anticipating it?
If you are not absolutely sure you are fired, you probably should not send this to anyone.

If you do send it though, as far as questions, list them so that they can all be answered separately and not ignored. Putting them separate and listing them, calls attention to the fact that you intend to have them answered and better assures that they will be answered.

Organize your "gripes" in an area separate from dialog so that you are not spacing those complaints in with questions and factual information that is not considered complaining.

Offer a solution to the things that you are complaining about. I am referring to a suggestion as to what you would like done or a solution to the issue. Having a letter full of complaints is pointless if you yourself do not provide an alternative to your complaints or at least a source for resolving the issue at hand.

I wish you luck. Keep your cool.

[Dimmauk]

Letter won't change anything, and in all honesty, you come off as a whiny douche in it.

Above advice is good. Instead dwelling/complaining on why you may be losing this job, start getting ready for the next job, i.e., updated resume, references, recommendations, etc.

This is the best advise you are going to get. The Managers have already decided a long time ago on who is getting laid off. And if they say they haven't, then they are not being truthful.

[Odesseiron]

From your post it sounds as if you are not sure if you are fired yet.
From the letter, it sounds as if you are aware that you have been and are reacting to it.

So are you fired or just anticipating it?
If you are not absolutely sure you are fired, you probably should not send this to anyone.

If you do send it though, as far as questions, list them so that they can all be answered separately and not ignored. Putting them separate and listing them, calls attention to the fact that you intend to have them answered and better assures that they will be answered.

Organize your "gripes" in an area separate from dialog so that you are not spacing those complaints in with questions and factual information that is not considered complaining.

Offer a solution to the things that you are complaining about. I am referring to a suggestion as to what you would like done or a solution to the issue. Having a letter full of complaints is pointless if you yourself do not provide an alternative to your complaints or at least a source for resolving the issue at hand.

I wish you luck. Keep your cool.

Again, I appreciate all the advice everyone has to offer.

As I said in the OP, I don't think it is myself that is affected, because I have nothing to do with the associated program whose budget was cut. I was however one of the last people in the office before there was a hiring freeze. Last one in, first one out, etc. Especially when it comes to civil service/gov't type positions. Longevity > most anything. I am just preparing some in case something happens.

New York is one of those "At will" employers. They don't need to extend the courtesy of giving you two weeks notice. You pretty much sign a waiver at the start of your employment basically saying "We can get rid of you any time we want, for any reason we want, no ifs ands or buts about it." If you don't sign it, you don't get hired. So everyone knows that going in. I doubt I will show it to anyone, as it wouldn't be the best move. If anything I can prepare a more professional letter based off what I have already, and if anything should happen, I can bring it to my Union rep./ or president. I doubt anything is gonna happen, I just want to be prepared. I keep my resume pretty up to date, I just need to touch it up with a few things.

Again, thanks.

[Aerides]

A) They already decided 2 months ago who they are going to let go vs. keep. That's been approved by your boss's boss +++.

B) If you want to save your job, be nice, polite, helpful, indispensable. Does your boss like you and feel like going to bat for you? If he doesn't already, toast...

C) As others mentioned, union rep > letter. Letter just is further justifying "oh glad we picked him".

D) Any job anywhere any time is vulnerable in this economy, learn to deal with that, and perform/behave in a way that you would want someone to if they worked for you. Then, hopefully always be safe when musical chairs has to be played.

[Kajii]

By the time they announce that ppl are going to be let go, they have already decided on who they are. At least, that's what I understand.

pretty much this

[bechyni]

Have sex with your boss. If that doesn't work then find a new boss who will allow previous statement.

[Boyiee]

We're also represented by a union, so lots of hell can be raised.

Unions don't really help anymore. If cuts need to be made due to budgets, the union can only protect you so much. They can help fight raise awareness and throw a bitchfest, but even civilservice jobs can't be protected by unions anymore.

Just take a look at all the Police/EMS/Firemen losing their jobs. They have the strongest unions in the country, but cut people due to budget and union cant do shit. Now, cut somebody for pretty much any other reason, good thing you've got a union to fight back and then start a lawsuit after.

[kyod]

The problem with unions is they would rather see people get fired than take a pay cut or have unpaid furlough days. Even if you have been a great worker and your management loves you, if you have no seniority you'll go regardless. But the lazy s.o.b. who does nothing and has been at the job for 5 years will stay.

Rant over.

OT: Since your state is at-will and, from what I gather, you are in a union that has a seniority ladder, this letter is a waste of your time.