A few days ago, Lao Na wrote about Want Want's layoffs, which sparked some controversy. Today, Lao Na wants to share his thoughts again.
- Voices of controversy
Today I saw a news story about a woman on a bus who shouted at a molester: "You've been touching me for six minutes!" Every year at this season, many such incidents of subway groping occur. Although occasionally reported, such incidents are becoming more frequent. On reflection, most of these happen because women do not resist, thinking they are just unlucky, and that they can get off the bus to escape such perverts. It is precisely this mentality that makes molesters more brazen.
In the FMCG industry, are there fewer such "molesters"? Are there fewer "women" who are victimized? Lao Na once exposed the layoffs at Want Want Foods. As soon as the report was published, some people commented, saying that Want Want was undergoing "organizational restructuring," and that not only would there be no layoffs, but they would be hiring a large number of people. However, two or three days later, some said: "The company is going to adjust the distribution department and only give half a month's salary as compensation." When Lao Na asked these people if they were willing to be interviewed, they all replied: "No, what if the company changes again? If it's reported, we might not even get the half-month salary. Besides, we're not the only ones being laid off."
Moreover, some who were not laid off accused Lao Na: "The whole environment is bad now, and all industries are laying off people. What does it have to do with you? You've offended the entire FMCG industry. What good does it do you? Isn't your platform supposed to focus on trivial matters? Can't you improve your level and the quality of your writing? Most importantly, Want Want is in difficulty now. You should be boosting team morale. Writing like this will only make the company's employees uneasy."
- Blame Lao Na?
Lao Na wants to say: Is this my fault? Yes, just like the woman on the bus, why were you harassed? First, because you are a woman; second, you must have been wearing too little; third, you look easy to bully; fourth, why did you let him touch you for six minutes before daring to resist? The conclusion is that you deserved it. The molester thinks: "Why are you pretending to be innocent? You've probably been with many men. What's wrong with me touching you a few times? You won't lose anything. Besides, I'm skilled at this, having harassed many women. You must enjoy it." Bystanders think: "What does this have to do with me? I'm not the one being harassed. I have no relation to that woman. Moreover, those who dare to harass on buses are perverts. What if they retaliate against me?"
For those laid off, what right do you have to resist? Want Want gave you a job opportunity. You didn't cherish it, didn't do well, lacked ability. The company's performance declined, profits fell. The boss is not a philanthropist. If he wants to lay you off, you should obediently take your half-month salary and leave. If you disagree, they will transfer you to another location. If you refuse, then it's insubordination. Check the employee handbook—they can fire you directly without a penny. Laid-off employees think: "How can I sue a company? They have countless legal advisors. What if word gets out that I'm causing trouble? How will I find a job in the FMCG circle in the future? Leaving this company doesn't mean I can't find a job elsewhere. It's my fault for not having connections. Otherwise, why wasn't I considered when other departments needed people? Forget it, I'll leave. It's not like I'll starve without this job." The manager responsible for notifying layoffs thinks: "I'll persuade them to leave. They have nothing to do with me. I can't let their refusal to leave affect my performance and give the company a bad impression of me."
- Companies are the vulnerable group
Yes, only Lao Na is the villain. All reports are based on hearsay. Some people remind Lao Na: "If you write like this, be careful Want Want sues you. Their official statement hasn't come out yet. Why do you say Want Want is laying off? What evidence do you have? Want Want can deal with self-media like you in no time. They can report you for defamation on WeChat, and your public account will be shut down. Your current followers will abandon you, and all your efforts will be in vain. Besides, the current law already protects employees enough. Companies are the vulnerable group."
Indeed, companies are the vulnerable group, the victims, and employees are the troublemakers. Jobs are so hard to find now; why are you making trouble? With that time, you'd better find your next job. Yes, companies are vulnerable. Employees can leave whenever they want. Why don't you compensate the company when you resign? What kind of face do you show when you resign? When you switch jobs, do you abide by confidentiality agreements? Do you speak ill of your previous company and leaders behind their backs? Why should the company compensate you when they fire you? That makes sense, and Lao Na is speechless. It is precisely this vulnerable group, often bullied by employees, that dares to make employees kneel collectively: "Thank you, Boss X, for giving me a job." (See the news: "Shenyang Hotpot Restaurant Employees Kneel in Public to Leaders")
Lao Na can't believe these kneeling people are from Northeast China. Aren't Northeast people known for being tough and fierce? Why would they kneel in public for a job? You are the strong group. You have labor law protection. You are vampires who smash, grab, and loot companies. Why do you kneel?
Oh, there's also the CCTV argument: "What if CCTV uses your footage?" (See the news: "CCTV Steals Footage") Similarly, what if the company lays you off? Don't tell me how hard you worked before, don't mention your contributions. I just ask: Did the company pay you? The salary they gave you was more than you deserved. Why aren't you grateful? Now the company lays you off—so what? You should consider yourself lucky to have entered a big company like Want Want. They bought you insurance and provided training—these are intangible values. Now the company has a small problem and lays you off—so what? Are they supposed to support you for life? A softer approach: "If the company develops well in the future, we'll rehire you. Be good, don't make a fuss. Come, sign this resignation and take your half-month salary."
- Why we don't resist
A person who once led a team in Shanghai said that Shanghai employees are the hardest to manage. Everyone has two phones; as soon as they get off work, they turn off their work phone. If you want to transfer them elsewhere, they discuss labor law with you. Employees in the mainland are better. At midnight, if you send a work request, they reply immediately, basically working 24/7. To make them leave, just persuade them; no compensation needed. The only downside is that these people are too tolerant. Sometimes you transfer them to another city, and they don't resign but persist.
Actually, Lao Na doesn't know the law well either, because I left my last job because the company wanted to transfer me to a distant city. Later, my previous company took me back. Why don't we dare to resist when we encounter molesters or violations? Because we have illusions, thinking they won't go too far. A few touches are okay. But the consequence of tolerance is that others become more brazen, violations increase, and companies become bolder. We don't dare to resist because we don't know the consequences. What if the pervert disfigures us? What if the company makes it impossible for us to survive in the industry? We don't resist because we know bystanders won't help. Instead, they say: "What are you shouting about? Let him touch you a few times. You shameless thing." When you resist a company, a group of people will persuade you: "Forget it. It's good to get compensation. Besides, you can't change anything, and you'll make everyone uncomfortable. Come, I'll use my connections to find you a job." Haven't you seen how Chen Peisi and Zhu Shimao were banned for over a decade for demanding copyright from CCTV? Chen Peisi now has to plant trees on the mountain. Why fight with a company? You have no money, no power. Those media that claim to speak for you are just watching the fun and not afraid of trouble. Don't be fooled. They want to use such reports to blackmail companies. You should consider the bigger picture. The company is pushing for performance and needs team stability. Don't spread this. Don't speak ill of your previous company when laid off. Think about it: who would want to hire you in the future? They'll say you lack integrity and gratitude. What good does it do you?
The world is bustling, all for profit. If there's no benefit, or no immediate benefit, don't do it. This is the so-called game theory, also known as the prisoner's dilemma. Endure for a moment, and the wind and waves calm; yield three feet, and the sea and sky open wide. This is our doctrine of the mean.
It is precisely because companies know this mentality that they act without scruples. Not to mention employees, even powerful distributors have signed unequal treaties. They pay for bestsellers but receive a pile of unsellable goods. The company will say: "The distributor isn't working hard enough. Our products are fine. You don't promote them, only want bestsellers. Who doesn't want bestsellers? If you want to be an agent, it's not easy. You've been our agent for years and made a lot of money. Now it's time to repay the company. Besides, having products is better than none. Maybe one day they'll sell well. Come on, sell them well. If you don't want to sell, there are many waiting to be agents." So the distributor has to swallow their teeth and deal with the goods they paid for, even if it means crying while doing so.
Written at the end In life, there is sexual harassment everywhere. Do we really have to endure it forever? Can't we fight for our rights? And then say loudly: Boss, take away your dirty hands!