I guess you can say Chesapeake Energy is officially back!
In a flashback to the good old days of 2013, the once-proud company turned back the clock yesterday and announced they’re doing what they do best – laying off employees at the Oklahoma City campus.
We know this because the company’s CEO – Nick Dell’Osso Jr. – sent an email to “All OKC Campus Employees” late yesterday afternoon announcing the news.
It let everyone know that the OKC campus would be closed today so the company could break up with employees via phone this morning.
Check this out:
Listen. I don’t think there’s a good way to conduct a RIF, but isn’t it kind of weak to close the campus and do it by phone? I bet Dell’Osso Jr. is the type of guy who breaks up with his mistress by text message after changing the locks on the door to the downtown apartment he rents for her.
“No need to go home today, Emily. I'm breaking up with you.”
Seriously, at least have the courage and class to fire people to their faces!
Then again, I guess it is kind of nice they gave employees a 12-hour heads-up that they're going to lose their jobs. That’s kind of what happened to me when I got riffed at my last corporate job. Sure, it may have led to an evening of unnecessary anxiety and me getting fired while severely hungover, but I appreciated the notice.
I just hope Chesapeake offered the same courtesy to other people affected by the layoffs and campus closure. You know, like the guy who cooks all the food for the Whole Foods hot bar. Something tells me they won’t be very busy today.
Anyway, our thoughts go out to all the people who are losing their jobs today, and the people who get to keep their jobs but now have more work to do. It may suck in the short term, but you never know what butterfly effect it will open, and what opportunities it may unlock.
If you want more details on why they did the layoffs and all the fun stuff, Reuters has you covered.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
