Would any of you take a buyout from MQ if offered? - Anon

In past months I have read on this board, with dismay, so many posts about long-time MQ MTs/MEs failing consecutive audits, and eventually being discharged. I think it is a major coincidence that so many employees are suddenly and consistently failing to meet the same quality standards they always met. I think it’s a flimsy contrivance to get rid of the more highly paid employees and replace them with cheaper newbies while avoiding an age discrimination actions because those higher-paid people are usually of the age to file one.

I also think it must cost MQ a lot do to this, first putting an individual on 100% QA for a prolonged period, constant documentation to cover themselves, and then more red tape if the discharged employee files for UE (which they will of course dispute) or even an age discrimination lawsuit. Not to mention the prospect of a class action suit, if enough people are discharged under the same circumstances and some enterprising law firm sees the prospect of profit or publicity, which is bound to happen eventually as the statistics pile up.

Wouldn’t it make more sense for MQ to do as many other big firms do, and at least try offering a buyout to the more highly paid employees if they voluntarily terminate? I would think that offering us, say, a month’s pay per year of service (a pretty standard figure in an early retirement scenario) would be a powerful incentive for some, and would ultimately be more cost-effective for them. I even think their shareholders would approve of it as a one-time cost, as it would lead to eventual workforce savings.

Of course the catch would be that, even though we think we have 10, 15, 20, or 25 years of service, they only count us as MQ employees from the time in (?2005, can’t recall exactly) when we had to re-apply for our own jobs with the merged company. Still, if they offered it I would take four or five months full pay in a heartbeat, give myself a few months’ breathing room, and not constantly wonder when it will be my turn to face the firing squad.

What do the rest of you think? Would you take a buyout?