Slashdot Mirror
Massive Layoffs At AOL
JLavezzo writes "Several news sites are reporting that the United States' largest ISP has laid off 750 employees. My sources at AOL put the actual number at approximately 950 regular employees and 300 contractors from various departments including new technology and marketing. The contractors aren't mentioned by the news outlets. Severance packages are known to include up to four months pay and keeping laid off employees on the AOL payroll through February (to retain health insurance). With most of the layoffs coming from the Northern Virginia offices, what are their hopes for finding new jobs?"
As someone who has one of those juicy government contracting jobs, I can tell you that they're a hell of a lot easier to get once you have one of those juicy government security clearances.
In Iraq they are paying Iraqi's to perform jobs that can be done more efficiently with modern technology. Why are they doing this? To create jobs and distribute wealth into Iraq. Similar things were also done during the Great Depression. Keeping a stable society comes at an expense. Corporations are in the Business to make money. However, they are also making their money from society. Therefore they should have a moral obligation to also do what is good for the community. I understand that lay offs are necessary to keep a company in business. However, Corporations that lay off people to soley chase huge profits should be taxed more than a company that keeps it's employee's. Similar to the idea that the idle wealthy should be taxed more than the working wealthy.