6 ms·

Maybe I didn't read too far into the thread, but it sounds like they laid off a guy, provided some severance, and there weren't many managers that sent him a go

Maybe I didn't read too far into the thread, but it sounds like they laid off a guy, provided some severance, and there weren't many managers that sent him a goodbye note? I don't see the connection here... what was the bad thing they did?

gkoberger 7y ago
(The person you're replying to+ who submitted this article _is_ the person they laid off)
- fharper 7y ago
  *one of the person who was laid off.
fharper 7y ago
Yep, no goodbye note was really the highlight of everything that happened at npm in the last couple of months. This article about union busting https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/08/technology/tech-companies-union-organizing.html https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/08/technology/tech-companies... and this one about working conditions at npm https://www.businessinsider.com/npm-employees-open-letter-2019-5 https://www.businessinsider.com/npm-employees-open-letter-20... or The Register who covered mostly everything that happened since the first layoff mentioned in my Twitter thread https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/04/22/npm_fired_staff_union_complaints/ https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/04/22/npm_fired_staff_uni...
- skissane 7y ago
  I don't know anything about NPM's board of directors. I don't know who is on it. So this should not be read as some sort of criticism of them. But I know there are some boards of directors out there, who would view the ability to bust unions (and get away with it) as a reason to hire, not a reason to fire. I don't know why they let go of their CEO. I wouldn't assume it was necessarily for any of the reasons you mentioned. It certainly could have been, but it also could very easily have been for completely unrelated reasons.
  - fharper 7y ago
    I completely agree with you on this! I wasn't mentioning those were the reasons, but that those were part of what happened in the last months.
fhbdukfrh 7y ago
Try reading that Twitter thread and count the number of times he mentions. "I" or "me" in the same sentence about how it's all about other npm employees and the greater community. This is a textbook example of if (when!) you get let go you should strongly consider an internet moratorium.
- fharper 7y ago
  It wasn't just about other employees. I lost my job. I got fired in a shitty way. I lost my income source. I lost a job I love. I lost faith in a company I cared about. I was afraid for the future of the ecosystem and my friends still there (most of them resigned since). It was an emotional moment for me and others. Things can be about others AND you, it's not a zero sum game. Count for this reply: 9
  - cmroanirgo 7y ago
    A friend of mine regularly self-moderates his communications, particularly emails. If there's an "I" (or other personal pronoun) in a sentence, he deletes the whole sentence. Often his replies are just "Thanks" style... But you know with him it's a very considered reply despite the terseness. I'd suggest that such copious tweets (& follow up comments here) may very well harm future prospects... As you sow you reap. You need to learn to let things go: particularly in tech. It's great that you like your (former) fellow employees: make friends with them and network with them. Alternatively, if you wish to make political actions, then undoubtedly you need to be more impersonal: just like the people who were tasked with outing you.
    - fharper 7y ago
      Thanks for sharing your personal opinion, I appreciate. The fact that I shared my story like I did and doing now was beneficial on all levels for me. I stayed true to my principles and values. I was approach by companies and managers who have the same values also. It helped me go back on my feet emotionally and professionally way more quickly. My personal take is that whatever you do, no matter if it's about deciding to not care or not say anything, or being vocal, stay true to yourself, and be proud of what you share.

gkoberger 7y ago

(The person you're replying to+ who submitted this article _is_ the person they laid off)

fharper 7y ago
*one of the person who was laid off.

fharper 7y ago

Yep, no goodbye note was really the highlight of everything that happened at npm in the last couple of months. This article about union busting https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/08/technology/tech-companies-union-organizing.html https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/08/technology/tech-companies... and this one about working conditions at npm https://www.businessinsider.com/npm-employees-open-letter-2019-5 https://www.businessinsider.com/npm-employees-open-letter-20... or The Register who covered mostly everything that happened since the first layoff mentioned in my Twitter thread https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/04/22/npm_fired_staff_union_complaints/ https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/04/22/npm_fired_staff_uni...

skissane 7y ago
I don't know anything about NPM's board of directors. I don't know who is on it. So this should not be read as some sort of criticism of them. But I know there are some boards of directors out there, who would view the ability to bust unions (and get away with it) as a reason to hire, not a reason to fire. I don't know why they let go of their CEO. I wouldn't assume it was necessarily for any of the reasons you mentioned. It certainly could have been, but it also could very easily have been for completely unrelated reasons.
- fharper 7y ago
  I completely agree with you on this! I wasn't mentioning those were the reasons, but that those were part of what happened in the last months.

fhbdukfrh 7y ago

Try reading that Twitter thread and count the number of times he mentions. "I" or "me" in the same sentence about how it's all about other npm employees and the greater community. This is a textbook example of if (when!) you get let go you should strongly consider an internet moratorium.

fharper 7y ago
It wasn't just about other employees. I lost my job. I got fired in a shitty way. I lost my income source. I lost a job I love. I lost faith in a company I cared about. I was afraid for the future of the ecosystem and my friends still there (most of them resigned since). It was an emotional moment for me and others. Things can be about others AND you, it's not a zero sum game. Count for this reply: 9
- cmroanirgo 7y ago
  A friend of mine regularly self-moderates his communications, particularly emails. If there's an "I" (or other personal pronoun) in a sentence, he deletes the whole sentence. Often his replies are just "Thanks" style... But you know with him it's a very considered reply despite the terseness. I'd suggest that such copious tweets (& follow up comments here) may very well harm future prospects... As you sow you reap. You need to learn to let things go: particularly in tech. It's great that you like your (former) fellow employees: make friends with them and network with them. Alternatively, if you wish to make political actions, then undoubtedly you need to be more impersonal: just like the people who were tasked with outing you.
  - fharper 7y ago
    Thanks for sharing your personal opinion, I appreciate. The fact that I shared my story like I did and doing now was beneficial on all levels for me. I stayed true to my principles and values. I was approach by companies and managers who have the same values also. It helped me go back on my feet emotionally and professionally way more quickly. My personal take is that whatever you do, no matter if it's about deciding to not care or not say anything, or being vocal, stay true to yourself, and be proud of what you share.