KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS were the first to talk about H&R Layoffs among so many metro newsies . . .
Now the economic carnage is finally underway.
An Awesome TKC TIPSTER reports:
"Layoffs started on Thursday with HR and payroll (fitting they go first i
guess).
Today it's the 17th floor to the 8th Floor.
Tomorrow it's the 7th Floor to 3rd Floor.
Rumor is 300 total, approximately 10-15% (10-15% of just KC or and maybe more across the country.)
No confirmation or word from management, as normal, they usually make no announcement until it's done...though they did give the warning it was coming in an email to everyone."
Stay tuned as a major part of Kansas City Downtown development faces harsh times that we heard about first thanks to the efforts of a rather awesome TKC TIPSTER. Natch.
Developing . . .
Any good news?
ReplyDeleteThat sounds horrible, lose your job to make the stockholders happy. Wonder if they tried anything like forced days off or reduced hours first.
ReplyDeleteindeed a shame. been there before a few times.
ReplyDeletegood luck to all those employees.
Too bad they didn't ask for volunteers either, there are people that want to go, so they let those go that want to stay and work, they are left with the ones that can't find another job yet, but don't want to be there; further reducing productivity and morale...maybe the indians that work there can fix all the problems.
ReplyDeleteThey're vastly overpriced... last month is the last time I'm using them.
ReplyDeleteManagement team at H&R can safely be called Block Heads.
ReplyDeleteThat's good.
ReplyDeleteIt's safe to say that HRB Management has done a very poor job during this latest round of layoffs. The CEO Russ Smythe announced these changes two weeks ago without having in place the new structure and alignments. The entire KC Office has been in disarray and unfocused. In my years with the company I've never seen such a poor job of change management. They are quickly becoming a Sprint like organization that is in its final stages of the company's lifecycle.
ReplyDeleteNot only is the senior leadership poor - its HR leadership is certainly not on par with a Fortune 500 company. Then again, much of its HR did come from Sprint.
As an HR employee Im very disappointed, I was not laid off but I'm going to find another job and leave. The management is just plain poor.
ReplyDeleteI was with Block for over 15 years and started at the orginal Main building when Henry still had a say in things. My how this company has changed they used to actually care about the hard working associates. There have only 2 layoffs in its history both within the last 5 years....sad what Greed has done to the company that Mr. Bloch and his brother cultivated so many years ago and were so very proud of. I am sure this is a sad day for him. So glad I made the decision to get out of the big Green Machine when I did! I used to be very proud to say I was a part of the Block before now I dread having them on my resume they are seen as a joke now.
ReplyDeleteAs one of those that were laid off in the Feb 2008 round, I'm sorry to hear of this news. Sorry for those laid off and sorry for those left behind.
ReplyDeleteHaving been in WHQ for 10 years I know how it feels, like you are kicked out of your home! I truly thought I would die at my desk from a stressed induced heart attack...what kept me there were the associates, I made many lifetime friends there....
Now I'm just glad to have moved on.
While it is unfortunate for everyone involved, I find myself wanting to pose a question to both current and now-ex-Associates:
ReplyDelete"What did you do to make it a better company? To advance it? To overcome inefficiencies? To generate new revenue? To make a difference?"
I mean, most people work hard, so that can't be the right answer.
I just struggle with our lack of accountability. I was laid off from HRB the 1st time around and, you know what? I worked hard, but I didn't bring value. I cared, but I didn't make a difference the way an Associate should.
I just think its a question we all need to ask of ourselves.
What's so exclusive about getting your information from KCMO 710. Your buddy Chris had the exclusive. I heard it on his show before you picked it up. Moron
ReplyDeleteHaving worked there for nearly 10 years and leaving last year and seeing the list of who got laid off today leads me to believe that HRB is not long for this world. The brand will survive, but as a subsidiary of something else.
ReplyDeleteThe culture there is bankrupt. If you worked there and you spoke up about doing things a different way you were laid off today or in the last round. If you laid low, did what they wanted and didn't speak up, you'll be grabbing some tots and a burger from the aptly named Chopping Block tomorrow.
Chances are, if you know someone who still works for HRB, he/she is a dullard, a "yes" man or a gigantic kiss ass. I guess that's the kind of people you want to go down on a sinking ship.
Glad you posted this. I was among the casualties in Feb 08 and I first heard of it and posted it on yahoo message boards May 5th (Click here,), but didn't know where else to let people know that H&R Block is going the way of Sprint. I got an idea to help H&R Block, why don't we hire all of the people from Sprint who drove them into the ground? Brilliant Idea!
ReplyDeleteThe executives are making the stupid decisions and they are never let go. Corporate greed at its finest! What arrogance to think that a select few have the monopoly on business accumen! Decisions are simply not being made by counseling with those that have key competences. Instead,the process is to consult peers, with MBA's and super job titles.
ReplyDeleteBlock, Sprint, GM, whatever...needs greater flexibility and a more strategic and future focus.
Too many coporations today are brain drains. Instead, they should be identifying, evaluating, developing individuals with the desired skills and talents to lead their organizations into the future.
The layoffs today finally ended. The morale is the worst. I don't recall a single Indian being let go which really isn't a surprise. Outsourcing entire teams to India.....making people stay for a severance while they train new people to take their jobs. Sinking ship. Go to hell Russ.
ReplyDeleteAmen!! No productive work getting done over the past few weeks. Good people getting let go. Some of us being told we have jobs but roles are uncertain... Say what? How does that turn things around?
ReplyDeleteAs someone who works there, I was very sad to see many friends I've known for years get released.
ReplyDeleteA large portion of those lost were in Information Technology, the people who worked 60-70 hours a week during tax season so that the company's infrastructure and software worked. What a great way to say "thank you for your hard work."
It's a sad day.
Word is that 60 people were laid off at Tax Cut office in Billerica, MA (now known as H&R Block at Home) yesterday. The H&R Block Brockton Administration Center is also being closed, leaving just one AC to serve the country in Kansas City. Everyone at the Brockton, MA AC was let go today. Their last day will be on May 28th.
ReplyDeleteOne of the great irony's here is that the person who laid everyone off is the divisional hr manager. Being that the divisions no longer exist, this person does not know until the end of the month if he will still have a job.
There are many people losing jobs at HRB. FSO and field associates alike. District Managers are being let go for no reason, some of which have been with HRB over 20 years. It is truly sad!
ReplyDeleteFSO sends out messages to the employees they do have left that "it has been a difficult process over the past few weeks". I guess it has for those who were laid off, fired, eliminated however you want to put it.
ReplyDeleteResponding to an earlier post: I do not think RD's are the issue. It is the DM's. And maybe FSO was overstaffed. BUT they took out key players from FSO that dealt with those in the field. SO once again the connection between FSO and field will be lost. It is said One Team, One Goal---I think not.
They should have started with District Managers who do nothing. Who have been with Block for 15-20 years and REFUSE to change with the times. They hire the same people every year, they do the same things and complain because they have to do some work. Now don't get me wrong there are some really good DM's too--of course most of them were terminated already. If they make district sizes largers for those that actual do the work (not based on a ScoreCard) and get rid of the ones that take two hour lunches when they did not get in until 11 and push off all of their work to their DOS.
Change is not always bad. I guess we will all have to wait and see. Wonder if HRB will post actual client complaint counts for this year and next for comparison---since it is about the clients (they say) and not about stock dollars.
Now consultants/contractors are getting the boot. Contracts are being terminated end of this month.
ReplyDelete