Radio Shack E-Fires 400 Workers

KingSkippus writes "You've got mail! ...and no job! The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that RadioShack has notified 400 workers by e-mail that they are being laid off. The e-mails state, 'The work force reduction notification is currently in progress. Unfortunately your position is one that has been eliminated.' Nothing says thank you for your years of service to our company quite like an e-boot out the door."

Re:The real story

[JeffSh]

ehhh you're quite daft for making that statement. the article clearly notes that these are employees mostly at their headquarters, which indicates they are probably mid level executives or IT staff or something like that.. not store personnel.

im sure people who work in stores make $7-8 an hour like most other retail workers.

Re:The real story

[Mortanius]

At least in CT, sales people on the floor make $7-$8 per hour base (excluding bonuses), with higher tiers (managers-in-training, asst. managers, managers, etc.) obviously making higher bases and different sets of bonuses. No floor salesperson has their own radioshack email address, only a store-wide email account.

And no, they don't ask for home address anymore, only your zip code for marketing / store stock purposes, which you can decline with no argument. Addresses -are- needed in some situations though, for things like service plans and Answers Plus (in-store credit card) accounts though.

Re:Have you

[Anonymous Coward]

The quality of service has declined because the company has decided that they no longer offer service, unless you are looking for new cellphone service. I'd say that about 15% of shack employees today could tell you what a resistor does. About a quarter of those could match one up for you. About a quarter of those could help you repair a device or offer expert advice. While this is not many, you still have a one in twenty to fifty shot with the shack at finding a really good tech (you know who you are). I'd say this is at least ten times your chances at most other major retail electronics stores. FYI: http://www.radioshacksucks.com/ [radioshacksucks.com]

Interesting considering...

[PeePeeSee]

That they just flew out something like 3000 managers to the MGM Grand in Vegas for a few days and even had Jay Leno doing stand up. But ya know you have to make cuts when things get tight, right?

Re:yep

[Baricom]

I also disagree with this being "soul-destroying," but for a slightly different reason. It could have been a lot worse - TFA says that there were multiple face-to-face meetings prior to the announcement, with an opportunity for employees to ask questions. There was also a severance package. It wasn't the best way to approach the problem, but at least it wasn't unexpected.

Lost Verizon contract?

[Anonymous Coward]

I heard a rumor from what appeared to be a reliable source that Radio Shack had to close a bunch of stores because they lost their contract with Verizon. Apparently cell phone sales were carrying the stores.

Re:How the #%$K is this news?

[sporkme]

Notwithstanding that stock price can serve as a consumer confidence barometer as well as one for expected performance:

Until 2000-ish, Radio Shack had offered a stock-based 401K. From limited options, employees had been encouraged to choose this plan. Now, they are all worth dick. Furthermore, a comparison [msn.com] reveals that RSH has performed as much as 83% below the S&P.

"The news in this is that we've reached that particular point in our society where a corporation doesn't even have to have the common decency to fire people in person."

You're right, and I should have clarified. Radio shack has been pulling questionable downsizing stunts for years.

Re:Wow...

[saider]

Quitting generally disqualifies you for any kind of unemployment benefits. Only quit if you are given a nice juicy severance package.

Most unemployment benefits are 26 weeks of minimum wage pay (generally about 5k). Understand this when negotiating your severance.

I was laid off after being given "unofficial" notice a full 4 months in advance. I had a chance to restructure my debt, get "layoff" insurance, and all kinds of other stuff that made the transistion much easier. Definitely a good way to go.

Re:yep

[networkBoy]

"A job should be nothing more than a means to supporting your lifestyle. Sure...hopefully you can enjoy your work, but, really...does it matter who you do it for? Your job should not be YOU."

You don't have kids eh?
The moment you have a family depending on you the "just a job" bit takes on a whole new meaning. We're a family of 4 on a single income in north/central california. I barely make enough with the cost of living. If I lost my job then I would be hard pressed to continue to put my spouse through school, she would likely have to drop out and enter the workforce early.
-nB

Re:Wow...

[billcopc]

I'm just guessing he means those little scammy insurances you can get for loans and credit cards, where they cover your monthly payment if you're involuntarily out of work. It's kind of like "pogey" for your debt.

Re:Lost Verizon contract?

[kimvette]

No.

Radio Shack had to close a bunch of stores because they alienated their core customer (folks who need electronic components, oddball gadgets, tools, etc.) and tried to become a mini-but-high-proced Circuit City botique carrying only low-end crap components priced at mid-range prices, not even the mid-range components you can get at Circuit City or Best Buy.