There’s a story that was passed on to me the other day and I had to check around to ensure it indeed was true.  It winds up being legit and I’m still in awe that this particular company actually thought was they did was a helpful action.

Without getting into the details of the story, Northwest Airlines, which is bankrupt and on the verge of laying off more employees, gave out suggestions to these potential laid-off employees on ways to save money.  They gave out pamphlets to a certain amount of employees and also temporarily posted the same thing on their internal website.
 

The four-page booklet, "Preparing for a Financial Setback" contained suggestions such as shopping in thrift stores, taking "a date for a walk along the beach or in the woods" and not being "shy about pulling something you like out of the trash."”
 

The bottom line is that while Northwest is at least giving a heads-up in saying “Hey, your job is most likely going to be eliminated”, they are also saying “And since you probably won’t have a job, don’t feel you’re ‘above’ dumpster diving.”  I can’t believe a company would suggest soon-to-be-fired employees that it’s ok to root around in trash.  WOW.  People that are desperate don’t need to be told how to forage for themselves and I’m sure people who currently scavenge trash don’t need instructions or tips or hints on how to scrounge for discarded pieces of food or clothes.
 

Are we coming full-circle from FDR’s “New Deal” to a time when we don’t blink anymore when another American company lays off tens of thousands of people?  Shouldn’t we be shocked when a company gives employees tips on how to scrounge for survival?  Am I over-reacting to a company’s legitimate attempt at helping people out who they know they have to fire?  What’s next – a hotline to find out how to star on the next DVD of “Bumfights”?  Glossy pamphlets glorifying the food lines from the heydays of Communist Russia?