If you don't offer people the possibility of being honorable, they will not be honorable.

First, I was a Director at Avaya. As a Director, I had access to many sensitive issues. I was an insider, as in "insider trading" and was therefore bound by very strict rules regarding my stock trading.

As a Director, I participated in many rounds of layoffs. I participated in and recommended who would be let go and how we would restructure as a result.

Because a typical lay off effects many people, it is typically very important to keep the planning and fact that there is an impending action very confidential. If one person finds out, it is possible that they will tell others and make the processing of the effected individuals very complicated and difficult.

So, it is interesting to me that the same process that I used for others was used on me. The new VP walked into my office one day and said, "This is the meeting you don't want to have."

None of my peers was informed of this until the day before my notification.

What disturbs me (and I guess this is how virtually everyone feels) is why they had to keep this so secret and "spring" it on me. Not only is this uncomfortable but I really wanted to explore some options. By the time they had done all the legal review and processing and presented me with the paperwork, it was too late to explore a leave without pay, a post-dated resignation, or any other option where I could continue to be on the corporate books (to aid in my job search) but at a very low cost to the corporation. In return, I was willing to do some work for the corporation. This could have been a win-win.

As it is, I do not feel the least compelled to help out with all the loose ends that are a result of the management decision to place me "at risk". Our Force Managment Policy states that an employee will be placed at risk meaning they are at risk of involuntary termination unless they find another position at Avaya within the at risk period (2 weeks).

So, why am I telling you? Mainly to get it off my chest. If it were possible, I would tell all impending management that the policy of secrecy - particularly towards Directors - is immature. If you don't offer people the possibility of being honorable, they will not be honorable.