Contributed anonymously,
Who's Zoomin' Who?
This is another example that shows the ineptitude of LLNS management and the degree to which they will kowtow to NNSA. Just as they screwed up the transition by trying to make it worse than what transpired at LANL, they are trying again to scare you into accepting less. The best thing that could happen would be that the LLNL population will see through the deception (just as many did for TCP-1) and minimally participate in this VSSOP.
What's wrong?
First and foremost, they are asking you to resign instead of laying you off! Along with this, they are specifically making you give up any notice or pay in lieu of notice. There's a reason that clause is specifically in the agreement that you sign (electronically) when you check the box on LAPIS.
And this is bad because?
They keep telling you that it's the same whether you participate in the VSSOP (resign) or must leave later via the ISP (get laid off). But if you are laid off, they must give you notice or pay in lieu of notice. It's in their Policies and Procedures. In Wong's answer to the 26 vs 39 weeks question, he said LLNL only got 26 weeks because it's in the LLNL policies. They can't selectively enforce their policies and choose which to obey and which to ignore, and just like severance, notice is in there.
Observe also how they skirted the unemployment question, basically saying it's up to you to figure it out. I'm no expert in this, but since when has unemployment ever been given to someone who resigned from a job. It usually comes down to who was the initiator that caused separation, and, if you resign, that'd be you.
This whole thing is an effort at hiding part of the horrible truth of the privatization of the Labs. They want to be able to say, "Hey! we didn't lay those people off - they left of their own accord. They resigned!" My only hope is that the word gets spread far and wide: DON'T DO IT! Don't give up your rights! Don't participate in the VSSOP. Make them pay you all that you are entitled to. Make them own up to what they've done and allowed to be done to LLNL.
Who's Zoomin' Who?
This is another example that shows the ineptitude of LLNS management and the degree to which they will kowtow to NNSA. Just as they screwed up the transition by trying to make it worse than what transpired at LANL, they are trying again to scare you into accepting less. The best thing that could happen would be that the LLNL population will see through the deception (just as many did for TCP-1) and minimally participate in this VSSOP.
What's wrong?
First and foremost, they are asking you to resign instead of laying you off! Along with this, they are specifically making you give up any notice or pay in lieu of notice. There's a reason that clause is specifically in the agreement that you sign (electronically) when you check the box on LAPIS.
And this is bad because?
They keep telling you that it's the same whether you participate in the VSSOP (resign) or must leave later via the ISP (get laid off). But if you are laid off, they must give you notice or pay in lieu of notice. It's in their Policies and Procedures. In Wong's answer to the 26 vs 39 weeks question, he said LLNL only got 26 weeks because it's in the LLNL policies. They can't selectively enforce their policies and choose which to obey and which to ignore, and just like severance, notice is in there.
Observe also how they skirted the unemployment question, basically saying it's up to you to figure it out. I'm no expert in this, but since when has unemployment ever been given to someone who resigned from a job. It usually comes down to who was the initiator that caused separation, and, if you resign, that'd be you.
This whole thing is an effort at hiding part of the horrible truth of the privatization of the Labs. They want to be able to say, "Hey! we didn't lay those people off - they left of their own accord. They resigned!" My only hope is that the word gets spread far and wide: DON'T DO IT! Don't give up your rights! Don't participate in the VSSOP. Make them pay you all that you are entitled to. Make them own up to what they've done and allowed to be done to LLNL.
Comments
I do agree however with the unemployment issue. That needs to be in stone especially in today poor job market. I also don't buy their BS reasoning about the 26 weeks verses the 39 weeks. Both issues need to be investigated. A good place to start is with Besty Mason of the ContracostaTimes
Anyone who survived the 1973 layoffs have any insight on what the procedure was back then?
The VSSOP reflects this. The package sucks, the time frame sucks, and there is no incentive for people to take advantage of it. The only reason to leave now is that if you think you do good work, then you can find a new job without the dark cloud hanging over the formally great LLNL campus.
Better get use to it because there is a lot more sh*t coming your way through the LLNS sewer line over the next few years. The VSSOP and this year's layoffs are just the beginning of a trend.
a) Those eligible for the VSSOP,
b) those ineligible,,
and those groups with a Cap of 0.
I show that I'm eligible in LAPIS - but my cap is 0. When I asked management they said that I actually could not take the buyout; if I applied it would be accepted by LAPIS but later denied by management.
So I am stuck in the middle - can't take the VSSOP, but not excluded from future 2008 reductions!!
If they had listed me as ineligible at least I could breathe a sign of relief that I "probably" would not be laid off in 2008. Now I have to continue to lay low and keep my nose clean.
And why do people keep complaining of our 26 weeks vs LANL's 39? Get over it. You didn't want to move there to work! We get the benefit of living in the Bay Area, they get a one time extra for a good bye kiss.
Don't help LLNS. Just say no to the VSSOP.