Navigating Job Loss in an Unjust System: Why Honesty Might Be the Worst Policy

Despite my years of dedication and a company's shift in purchasing assets, I was forced to quit a job that I did nothing wrong to lose. In an honest set-up, staying honest means quitting early rather than enduring overwhelming damage to oneself and one's reputation. An upright person is akin to a star peg that cannot fit into the round hole of dishonesty's corrupted system, as others believe in the inaccurate portrayal of behavior.

When Company A acquires the assets of Company B, things can look two ways. On one hand, they gain more customers, products, and factories, which is positive. On the other hand, they obtain redundant employees and excess manufacturing capacity, which is less favorable. Sometimes it's not the individual's merit but the company's misfortune or organizational changes that lead to layoffs.

The Unfairness of Company Purchases and Layoffs

My friend, a long-serving employee at American Hospital Supply, met his fate due to a company purchase. Baxter Labs acquired American Hospital Supply, and despite having extensive service years, my friend was laid off because his earlier company was deemed "wrong." This highlights the disordered system and the arbitrary nature of hiring and firing through corporate acquisitions.

For many reasons, your business may spell a downturn, and you may lose your job in the process. Reasons can include:

Inefficiencies: Your job may be one of the victims of company downsizing due to a loss of a significant business partner. Redundancy: After a company purchase, you may become redundant due to the excess of employees or factory capacity. Misconduct: You may have unknowingly committed a series of errors, although they may seem inconsequential in isolation.

For instance, in 2018, my company, now known as Carnival Cruise Lines, downsized its operations due to the loss of a major business partner. They conveyed that the reason behind my layoff was not a performance issue but rather that my senior-level salary required me to face difficult decisions, such as cutting costs by retaining more junior, cost-effective designers. This was not an ageist decision but a practical one.

Redemption and Rehiring

Three years after my layoff, the company was restructured, leading to a major acquisition by a more profitable and globally recognized firm. Thankfully, I received a rehire offer in late 2020. This situation emphasizes the importance of resilience and the potential for redemption in a seemingly unjust system.

Although honesty may seem valued, in an unethical corporate landscape, it's often better to protect one's well-being and reputation by moving on, especially when the same system that supports misconduct is prevalent. The lesson from my experience and that of my friend is to find a balance between ethical integrity and practical survival.

Navigating through such turbulent times requires a clear understanding of the dynamics at play and the courage to make difficult decisions that ultimately benefit your career and personal integrity.