AM I NEXT? NO LOVE -- LAYOFFS AT AMWAY (03/19/21)

MARCH 19, 2021 — RESTRUCTURING RESULTS IN 900 LAYOFFS IN ADA, MICHIGAN AND BUENA PARK, CALIFORNIA

The company has announced a reduction in force including voluntary separations that will take place through the end of 2021.

According to a company statement, “We announced to U.S. employees that as we invest even more in nutrition science, innovation and manufacturing, and in delivering seamless social, shopping and customer experiences to help our Amway business owners around the world grow and thrive, we will also be restructuring our operations. This restructuring includes the reduction of up to 900 roles in Ada and Buena Park, California. It is our hope to achieve as much of this as we can through voluntary departures, and we will offer generous terms that align to our values, treating all employees with openness, dignity, and respect.”

SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 — 47 IT EMPLOYEES LAID OFF IN ADA, MICHIGAN HQ

Continuing to outsource IT operations to third-party vendors, the company has eliminated 47 headquarters IT employees as it continues to reduce operational costs by concentrating on its core competencies.

This follows 145 layoffs in back-office support positions in April 2019 and 45 management and supervisorial layoffs in December 2018.

The company also shuttered two West Michigan plants in 2018 as part of its restructuring of manufacturing operations.

The layoffs will continue as a company spokesperson noted, “As Amway continues to align all of its resources to meet business priorities, we can expect additional local job impacts to occur throughout 2020.”

MAY 8, 2019 — Previous post…

Ada, Michigan-based Amway Corporation, the iconic global multi-level marketer of health, beauty, and home care products, has announced major changes in the near future.

While the company refuses to quantify the number of layoffs expected, they have explained that the company has undergone an operational review and “as a result of this process, we are making changes to our global operations in key back-office functions.” Such operations usually include employees who provide services in the legal, human resources, supply chain, strategy and planning, and finance areas.

A company spokesman noted that the decision to adjust personnel is to “align resources with our strategic focus.” The restructuring program is part of “Amway Next” which is described as “a journey to transform into a growth focused, lean and agile organization.”

"Amway is committed to strengthening its business opportunity so Amway Business Owners can be more competitive and successful in today’s marketplace. To ensure that happens, we’re investing in many aspects of the business and evaluating our global structure so that our resources align with our strategic focus. As a result of this process, we are making changes to our global operations in key back-office functions. We have begun communicating these changes to our employees and will be sharing more with them in the coming weeks."

"These changes mean we will be saying goodbye to some of our colleagues and friends, which we know will be difficult. Core to Amway's culture is our values, and we remain committed to them and supporting employees through this transition. As we go through this process, I encourage you to reach out to your friends and colleagues and see how they are doing —support one another and lift each other up."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere ... are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE -- LAYOFFS AT MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL (UPDATED)

MAY 30, 2019 — ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES LAID OFF, COMPANY PROMISES THAT THESE ARE THE LAST LAYOFFS OF 2019

In a company announcement, MGM has noted that an additional 557 employees, mostly managerial, have been laid off.

According to published reports: “A total of 1,070 company employees lost jobs since the first 254 layoffs were announced in April to cut costs and boost earnings by next year.”

CEO Jim Murren noted, “I stand behind the decisions we have made and believe them necessary to assure our future, but I deeply regret the impacts they have on individuals and their families.”

“The changes we are making today bring us closer to concluding the foundational work of MGM 2020 during which we streamlined our operating model and reduced our salaried staff by over 12 percent.’

Original Post…

Las Vegas, Nevada-based MGM Resorts International, a global gaming, hospitality, and entertainment company, has announced a nationwide reduction in force that will result in the layoff of 254 employees, said to be mostly managers and supervisors, as part of a cost-containment and restructuring effort known as “MGM 2020.”

In the words of company CEO Jim Murren ,,,

“Dear Colleagues,

When I announced MGM 2020 back in January, I knew it would be a long and challenging road to implementation. I pledged you would hear from me once decisions on our new operating model are completed and it is ready to implement. Thank you for your patience and support as we’ve worked through the process to get to the place where we find ourselves today.

In preparation for MGM 2020, we studied the changing economic landscape, shifting consumer preferences and what these mean for our workforce. We engaged in the necessary and difficult process of considering the jobs, resources and organization structures of today and tomorrow. We concluded that incremental change will not be enough to provide the type of entertainment, gaming and hospitality experiences the next generation of consumers and guests wants from one of the world’s most iconic brands.

We need to create a company that is streamlined, nimble and empowers leaders. If we want to unleash innovation and support dynamic new ideas, we need a new way of operating. From the beginning we have been transparent that our strategy would include reskilling, reorganization and – regrettably – a reduction in our workforce. These are difficult decisions, ones no leader wants to make. But they set the stage for future growth and greater job creation in the long run, a responsibility I take seriously as the leader of this Company.

During the course of the day today, we will have notified 254 people that their positions with MGM Resorts have been eliminated, and in a few weeks, we will have one more round of position eliminations. These impacts are being felt across the Company as this is a comprehensive change that is meant to be transformative. As such, within the next day, you will hear directly from your leadership team to help provide some clarity around these changes and to answer any of your questions.

I commit to you that these changes will be completed in the coming weeks when the implementation of the new operating model concludes. With the new model in place, we will turn our attention to operating the properties, providing best in class guest service, and getting ready for our digital transformation which is the cornerstone of Phase Two of MGM 2020. We will look to new technologies to help us to target, attract and retain new customers to grow our competitive advantage.

I know this day is going to be difficult on everyone. I also know that changes like this can be stressful and I regret the impacts on the individuals whose roles are being eliminated. We would not be taking these steps if we did not believe they were necessary to serve the long-term interests of the Company. These decisions will help make our Company better and stronger for years to come, but I also know that doesn’t help lessen the anxiety created for you, your families and your teams. I am confident in our ability to address the challenge before us and also know we are where we are as a Company because of our dedicated employees.

Again, I appreciate your patience and thank you for all of your continued hard work. “

There is little doubt in my mind that there will be further cuts extending beyond managers and supervisors.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE -- LAYOFFS AT ETHAN ALLEN

Danbury, Connecticut-based Ethan Allen Interiors, the home furnishing manufacturer and distributor, plans to restructure operations to further the company’s vertical integration.

The consolidation effort will result in 380 layoffs, 325 from the company’s manufacturing facility in Old Fort, North Carolina, and 55 employees in the company’s Passaic, New Jersey distribution center.

The Passaic distribution operation will be transferred to North Carolina and the art framing operations will be outsourced. he Old Fort facility will be re-purposed to serve as a state-of-the-art distribution center and the company will continue its lumber processing function. Fifty-percent of Old Fort’s case goods manufacturing will be transferred to the company’s two facilities in Orleans and Beecher Falls, Vermont.

The decision is purely a business one to reduce costs and consolidate operations.

The company's Chairman, President and CEO, Farooq Kathwari, noted “I have had a personal close association with many of these associates for about 40 years. They leave a legacy of fine artisanry, safety, and manufacturing leadership."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere ... are you now wondering, Am I Next?