FORD sucks!

[janetg]

for those of you who might remember, i had posted some things last october about my brother's wife and her illness with ALS.

yesterday morning, my brother was laid off at his job at charlie thomas ford down in the clear lake area - he was the parts manager for many years. they said it was a 're-organization'. his wife is quickly losing her battle with als - and now sleeping 90% of the time and has almost completely lost all function now.

way to go guys - could you kick someone any harder when they are down?

[JohnT]

I know this is tough and doesn't seem fair. However, Ford has been losing money for many months now due to slow sales. They have yet to post a profit over the last several months. All the dealerships are probably suffering and having to make some difficult financial decisions, and it all begins with cutting back on the staff.

I do hope your brother can find employment soon.

[janetg]

well, i could agree with that john - if the re-org ddn't involve bringing in the new gm's buddies to replace the people they let go.

even if he does get a job soon - there is NO ONE who will re-insure his wife

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by janetg

well, i could agree with that john - if the re-org didn't involve bringing in the new gm's buddies to replace the people they let go.

You didn't mention that. Yeah, that's pretty crappy.

[gmarblestone]

Actually he doesnt need to disclose that his wife is ill during the interview. And insurance companies for larger companies HAVE to accept her and her previous ALS if it was covered with the last insurance and he pays COBRA so there is no lapse in coverage. Make sure he gets all the information about this as he can.

I am no expert so don't quote me.

G

[kenw]

wait 'til you see how much COBRA costs.......

[Concisus Cognatus]

Also, since she was covered by insurance during the onset of this illness they will have to continue coverage even though he was laid off. That's been my experience with the neck surgery I went through last summer.

[janetg]

thanks everyone - it's good advice that i'll pass along to him..

[AndrewCCM]

I am so sorry to hear this..

I bet the execs didn't get a pay cut either.

Funny how all the "outsourcing/reorganization" plans never seem to include execs... 1 exec salary could often pay for many MANY worker bee jobs (the ones that actually do the work and are not Face/Smooth talkers).

I hope this gets sorted out with a positive result.

For the record, I have always disliked Ford...more for their product than anything.

Maybe they need to quit paying Toby Keith or whoever that guy is doing all their silly Ford truck commercials.

[CincoJoe]

Sorry to hear that. I'll make sure I put them on my do not shop list. Corp America really does blow.

[Cope]

Originally Posted by janetg

well, i could agree with that john - if the re-org ddn't involve bringing in the new gm's buddies to replace the people they let go.

even if he does get a job soon - there is NO ONE who will re-insure his wife

Sorry this happened, but I'm sure he knows that this is SOP in the auto dealership industry.

[smdebnam]

Sorry to hear this Janet. I'll keep your brother and his wife in my prayers!

I choose to believe that everything happens for a reason.

I had a boss who was the nicest, most caring man. He was our IT Director and in a very stressful and demanding position. He was having some health issues and the stress of his job was making it worse. After 10 years in his position his contract was not renewed. It was awful. He was so hurt, disappointed, and embarrassed. But...because he was forced to move on (he NEVER would have left on his own), he found a job that was a better fit, was able to focus on his health and he couldn't be happier.

Maybe this horrible situation will give your brother the opportunity to spend time with this wife that he wouldn't have had otherwise. Sometime this "time" is worth more than any job.

[Bill]

Sorry about his job loss, Janet. Charlie Thomas Ford is probably not owned by Ford Motor Company. It is most likely an independently owned franchise, with Ford having nothing to do with the "reorganization."

[dcnctx]

Business is about money and not about humanity.

It is important that as we each conduct business, that we always remember our humanity. All the advantages that we gain in life can be snatched away in a breath and whether we amass a fortune or a comfortable living we still may not reap the benefits of our efforts. This is true for good people and bad. While the general manager at CTF may have a stoney heart, we find that there is little that we can do about his uncaring nature. We can; however, change ourselves and as opportunity presents itself daily, establish ourselves in the best position to affect those around us in a better way.

There are countless examples of what is happening to your brother that have been perpetrated throughout the history of this world we live in. If we are not to be forgotten, if we are to make it a better place to live, if we want to slow this type of behavior, then we must first see that we care about others that cross our paths and use the advantage that we have to help, not hurt.

People around us are amazingly insignificant unless we know them. Where do we draw the line as individuals? We might never fire someone from a job that they desparately need but how do we behave in the grocery line or at the busy intersection. As humans, we are complicated individuals and unfortunately, until we become the way we wish the world to be, we will find it too easy to ignore the needs and plights of others.

I believe that there are some fine examples of humanity among this small collection of photographers here on TPF and while we may not change the world tomorrow, we can change ourselves, affect our families, and influence those around us in a better way.

When 50 years have past, who knows what each of our good deeds may look like if it were a photograph. Today is ours to do with what we will. Our children will continue into the future and with them carry our beliefs into what kind of world we hope it will be.

Best wishes to your brother and his wife during this difficult time. I hope he finds the silver-lining of the bitter circumstances. I hope today we each appreciate our humanity and contemplate our description of success.

[dbphotos]

I'll keep your family in my prayers. It sounds like this is a dealer issue and not Ford Motor Corp. It would be like blaming Nikon for XYZ camera store's short comings.