In this project, I will comprehensively address the problem of unemployment caused by Microsoft layoffs of employees at Seattle WA. Moreover, the targeted audience of the proposal is also highlighted in details. Nonetheless, the best solution in the proposal is discussed as a way to convince the specific audience. In addition, the paper will also be comprised of the justifications to the best solutions, the alternative solutions, and the counterarguments from the audience. All the components of the proposal will be discussed in detail for more comprehension.
As long as I can remember, most of the residents of Seattle have opted searching for jobs at four major companies; Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Nintendo. Surprisingly, most of these employees are contractors and operates by looking for good contracts from these companies. The employees have been in the comfort zone for a long duration of time, but the ever changing business world has put their lives in jeopardy. The changing dynamics of the market has resulted in the introduction of new policies by most companies affecting the employees in different firms. After Microsoft had announced a new policy, it caught the workers by surprise. The company was going to lay off more than 18, 000 employees, and their largest number in history. In these layoffs, the people affected include contract workers, Xbox Entertainment studios, and high-powered lobbyists. Microsoft decided to impose limits on contractors by only allowing them to perform their assigned roles and duties for a period of eighteen months before taking a six-month mandatory off from work. During the specified period, the contractors will lack the chance to work for Microsoft and are expected to look for another job from a different company. A leaked memo by Geek fire asserted, "At the end of the 18 months, the external staff will have their Microsoft corporate network and building access taken off for at least six months before access can be entreated again." The issue threatens the life of the employees and their families because it will be difficult to provide the basic necessities. The contractors and other employees affected will undergo a challenging moment in their life. The issue of employment is very serious, and workers expect job security. Otherwise, their life will be in problems day in day out.
My target audience will be comprised of employees at Seattle WA area, Microsoft current contractors, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, and The Washington State Employment Security. It is healthy to create awareness to all employees regarding the new policy for them to prepare for the tainted future. Microsoft’s policy fails to offer the best deal to its employees and secretly plans to ambush them with the announcement of the policy.
The problem needs to be addressed in due time, failure to which the employees will experience challenges in supporting their families. Early attention to the issue will secure the lives of the affected ones by introducing solutions to the issue. These workers expect the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries to defend their interest and assure them of job security at Microsoft. The Washington State Employment Security fights for the rights of workers and protects them by ensuring that their job security is guaranteed. I expect this department to follow strictly upon the issue by consulting the Microsoft Company and its workers. Failure to do so, the new policy will cause damage to most employees in Seattle WA. The reluctance of Department of Labor and Industries and The Washington State Employment Security will motivate other companies to follow suit and lay off their workers abruptly without any plan (Vance-Sherman, 2014).
My best solution will propose an increased role by The Washington State Employment Security to intensify the unemployment benefits provided to the residents of Seattle WA. At the current time, the benefits package offered is not enough to insure both the beneficiary and his/her family. The benefits remain of help to a single person, a trend that is not appealing at all. The unemployment benefits package should be improved to cater for members of the entire family. The residents of Seattle need to live a happy life and be protected against all forms of discrimination and insecurity.
The Microsoft Company is expected to offer a good package of unemployment benefits to its workers. The issue presents have raised alarm because it seems that they are not planning to accrue the benefits to employs that will be affected by the layoff. The Washington State Employment Security is a public watchdog that provides oversight to all employees to avoid discrimination and victimization of all employees in the state. When the unemployment benefits are improved, the residents of Seattle WA will be safe and secure throughout their life (Knicely, 2014). Currently, The Washington State Employment Security offers a poor benefits package that fails to meet the demands of the residents of this area. The new policy adopted by Microsoft will proceed to layoff massive workers without taking into consideration the damage caused to the families of the affected. The importance and relevance of The Washington State Employment Security will be to ensure that the unemployed individuals are insured against involved risks. They will go ahead and compensate the unemployed with an appealing package that will take care of the needs of the individuals affected. The Washington State Employment Security implementation of a well-outlined plan with accommodate the increase in the unemployment benefits will serve the interest at the heart of the unemployed residents of Seattle.
I believe that my proposed solution is credible, and it will have a positive impact to the residents of Seattle WA. The proposal to convince The Washington State Employment Security to increase the unemployment package will ensure that the residents are secure throughout their lifetime. The new package to be offered will assure the unemployed of a good amount that will help them to improve the status in their current life. The stakeholders should consider my proposal because of the numerous uncertainties associated with the ever-changing business world (Bishop, 2014). Employees should be secured and rescued in a situation that they are in a tight fix. Since Microsoft is planning to lay off a high number of its employees starting from June, there will be no worry for the residents of Seattle WA. All their concerns and needs will be taken care of by the improved package of unemployment benefits.
Through the proposal, the Vendor companies will be expected to search for spare contracts for the workers expected to lay off. This will guarantee the affected individuals of maximum security to their jobs. The Washington State Employment Security will act upon making the necessary adjustments to increase the package of the benefits. The unemployment benefits should reflect the current living expenses in the state of Washington.
There are alternative solutions that Microsoft Company can implement a way to replace the idea of employee layoff. It is important to ask the workforce about their thoughts and ideas regarding the layoffs. The employees’ suggestions may help the company to reduce costs and improve their performance and productivity. The involvement of the employees in the layoffs plan will ease the insecurity and promote unity and togetherness in the workplace. The speculations of the issue caused an alarm and increased the tension of employees because they never understood what lies in the future. The speculations raised jitters and instilled fear in the job place.
Another alternative solution will be to introduce wage or benefits cuts instead of sending the employees home. The vendor companies will ease the tension and asks those willing to accept the wage reduction to continue working for the company. On the other hand, the individuals who feel uncomfortable will be asked to leave the job at their preferred time. The reduction of the wages and the benefits is not the right solution, but it is better than giving notices of immediate layoffs.
The thorny issue in my proposal is that the vendors companies, specifically Microsoft, will have difficulties in searching for spare jobs for the employees that will experience layoffs. The duration of time appears not enough to search for the jobs. Therefore, there are high chances that the layoffs will take place, and the employees will not benefit in any way.
The application of ethos will be helpful because I am directly affected by the new policy that Microsoft intends to implement. For five years, I have been a contract employee and my fate rests on the balance at the moment (Bishop, 2014). Effective measures must be introduced to reduce the harm that will be posed to the employees and their families. If the head of a family loses a job, the children will be stressed because their parents will fail to provide for them. The children will lack the opportunity to attend good schools and enjoy better healthcare services. Pathos will greatly play an important role in the situation. Lastly, my ability to apply logos has helped me to present a strong and logic argument in my proposal with offering a reasonable solution. As illustrated above, companies must effectively plan and come up with a plan that will guide them in all their operations. The companies should make decisions considering all stakeholders to avoid causing mayhem and confusion to the lives of the employees and their families.
References
Bishop, T. (2014, October 14). Microsoft cuts another 3,000 jobs, finishing last big phase of layoffs - GeekWire. Retrieved from http://www.geekwire.com/2014/microsoft-cuts-another-3000-jobs-finishing-last-big-phase-layoffs/
Bishop, T. (2014, July 18). Internal memo: Microsoft to cut off all 'external staff' after 18 months, imposing mandatory 6-month break - GeekWire. Retrieved from http://www.geekwire.com/2014/internal-memo-microsoft-cut-external-staff-18-months-requiring-six-month-break/
Bott, J. (2014, July 17). Microsoft Employees Are 'Shell Shocked' - Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-employees-are-shell-shocked-2014-7
Knicely, J. (2014, July 17). Analysts: Microsoft layoffs will make Puget Sound area tech indus | www.kirotv.com. Retrieved from http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/analysts-microsoft-layoffs-will-make-puget-sound-a/nghYb/
Vance-Sherman, A. (2014, September). King County Profile. Retrieved from https://fortress.wa.gov/esd/employmentdata/reports-publications/regional-reports/county-profiles/king-county-profile
