According to the Washington Post, small businesses are beginning to brace for a worst-case scenario of delayed payments, stalled projects and layoffs if the nation defaults on its debt. Questions: Source: Bhattarai, A. (2023). Small businesses are beginning to panic about a government default. The Washington Post, May 21 (Retrievable online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/05/20/debt-ceiling-small-business/)
Posts Tagged: layoffs
Virgin Orbit Files for Bankruptcy
According to the New York Times, the satellite launch company, founded by Richard Branson, announced sweeping cuts last week as it struggled to recover from a high-profile rocket failure in January. Questions: Source: Granville, K. (2023) Virgin Orbit Files for Bankruptcy After Failed Launch and Lack of Funding. The New York Times, April 4 (Retrievable… Read more »
CEO with the “Crass”mas Spirit
Last Wednesday, the CEO of Better.com, Vishal Garg, fired 900 employees during a 3-minute holiday Zoom presentation. Questions: Where did CEO Garg “bad-mouth” the laid off employees, accusing them of stealing time from the company? What percent of Better.com’s workforce is this? What industry is Better.com in? Explain all the factors that are wrong with… Read more »
Sad Times at Landmark Hotels
This time of year is usually when America’s luxury hotels are starting to prepare for busy holiday parties and New Year’s Eve festivities. Unfortunately, most of these luxury hotels have lost well over half their business and told most of their staff that they are not needed. Questions: According to the article, the hotel industry… Read more »
Does This Situation Seem to be Ethically Correct During a Pandemic?
HCA Healthcare, one of the world’s wealthiest hospital chains, earning more than $7 billion in the past two years and worth $36 billion, paid its chief executive $26 million in 2019. However, as the pandemic spread across America, HCA did not provide adequate protective gear to medical staff, froze wages for nurses, and has… Read more »
The $3 idea goes away
The San Francisco-based company that sold most private-label essentials without branding is closing. Questions: Why did they decide to close? Based on the article, how many people were employed at Brandless? How much did SoftBank invest in this company’s concept? When did Brandless start selling its products in major retailers’ physical stores instead of online-only?… Read more »
HALTED!
According to the Washington Post, Boeing will halt production of its new 737 MAX commercial jetliner in January 2020. Questions: How long will the production halt last? How many employees will be laid off? How much is it estimated that the entire U.S. gross domestic product for a period this year has been impacted by… Read more »
Restructuring at Deutsche Bank
Germany’s largest bank, Deutsche Bank, has begun a string of layoffs that will result in 20 percent fewer employees or 18,000 jobs. Questions: This slashing in jobs happened on the first day takeover of the new CEO. Who is the CEO? What happened to shares of Deutsche Bank after word of this sweeping overhaul? How… Read more »
American Apparel Bankruptcy
American Apparel has been in the middle of a turnaround effort that includes store closings and some layoffs. The company also faces several lawsuits from ousted CEO Dov Charney. Now they face the bankruptcy court. Questions: 1. What were the allegations against previous CEO Charney and what types of financial strains has this put on… Read more »
Team Disney – Its a Small World After All
Nothing could be worse than losing your job, except maybe being required to train your replacement. That is what happened in the Magical Kingdom when cheaper H-1B workers from an India outsourcing firm replaced about 250 U.S. employees at the end of January this year. Questions: 1. What explanation did Disney executives give for this… Read more »