The Floggings Will Continue… Part Deux

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted to this blog.   Many times over the past few weeks I meant to sit down and write a calm, well-reasoned article about how a very good friend of mine was treated by the organization to whom she gave almost two decades of fantastic service. But every time I do sit down my blood starts boiling and I find myself cursing a blue streak. So I had better get this off of my chest now before it gives me an aneurysm. Warning – this will not be a happy post and I plan on using blunt language.

The economic mess that we find ourselves in has obviously not been glorious for the Arts.  Every day there are headlines about this orchestra laying off staff, or that ballet company going bankrupt, or whatever.  If you are part of the arts business then I am sure you know someone who has suddenly found themselves without a job.  The sad thing is that the worst is not yet over, and many more people will be out looking for work before it’s said and done.  For those executives who have to make a decision about who goes and who stays I offer the following words of advice:

I know that you’re supposed to be wedded to the bottom line but do keep in mind that the people who you are about to let go have, in many cases, dedicated their lives to your organization, and if your organization has been successful it’s most likely because of them, not because of you.  They are human beings, and you are about to have a profoundly negative impact on their life.  Have a little compassion.

If you are running a major arts organization do not refer to it as “The Company.”  It is not the CIA.  It is an arts organization, full of bright and creative people on every level.  Do not demean their love of whatever art form it is by trying to sound highfallutin’ and corporate.  It just ends up being so much bullshit, and there is already quite enough of that in the arts world.

Do not use the current economic crisis as an excuse to get rid of people who actually force you to do your job for this will come around to bite you in the tuchus.

If you do end up firing somebody please say something more than “we are restructuring and your position is being eliminated.”  Try words like “I’m sorry” or “I wish this didn’t have to happen” or “It’s a damn shame because you have been a valued member of our arts organization for a gazillion years.”  It may not mean much to you…… hell, it probably won’t mean much to the person you just fired…… but it’s at least polite.  Sticking to your prepared script just proves what a complete asshole you are.

Please do not treat the fired person like so much garbage that you are eager to get rid of.  Do not have the person frog-marched to their cubicle/office by the HR lackey, where they have only enough time to grab their purse/murse and jacket before they are kicked out of the offices.  Please do not have the bad taste to have their phone disconnected and their computer turned off while they are stuck in your office being fired.  Once again, this is not the CIA, and a little respect for your staff is warranted.

Last but not least – before you go around firing other people please keep in mind that Michael Dukakis was right about one thing: the fish DOES rot from the head down.  It might be the only thing he was right about but it’s a doozy.  The reason most arts organizations, or most companies in general, get into deep fiscal doo-doo is that the person at the top of the pyramid didn’t do their job.  Before you get up on your high horse and ruin someone else’s life please have the good grace to look in a mirror and ask yourself whether or not the first person who should be fired is YOU!

There – that is off of my chest.  I wish I could report that this rant was cathartic but it actually just makes me sad that someone I know and have the deepest respect for was treated like so much drek after 20 years in this business.  God knows I probably shouldn’t be surprised.