Evidently, an HR Executive at Carat Media erroneously sent out way too much information to the wrong people.
From Ad Age:
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) — Struggling media agency Carat is planning a major restructuring of its U.S. operations, including an undetermined number of layoffs — news it accidentally released today via a memo the agency’s top New York-based HR executive e-mailed to the entire agency that appeared to be intended only for senior managers
Evidently, the entire staff reduction plan had not been fully fleshed out so, the employees receiving the emails did not have any specific names of the employees or even how many employees would be affected by the RIF. Rather, the email contained a PowerPoint presentation and script for managers and for clients.
The message for Carat clients: “Mary Smith will be moving off your business. Now that we understand your business better, we are replacing her with someone whom we feel will be a better partner for you.” The document offered an alternative for times when the “staffing change” affected a longer-standing relationship with the client: “Mary Smith will not (sic) longer be working on your business. In order to serve you better and provide greater innovation we have made a staffing change to your business.”
Again, from Ad Age:
The message for Carat clients: “Mary Smith will be moving off your business. Now that we understand your business better, we are replacing her with someone whom we feel will be a better partner for you.” The document offered an alternative for times when the “staffing change” affected a longer-standing relationship with the client: “Mary Smith will not (sic) longer be working on your business. In order to serve you better and provide greater innovation we have made a staffing change to your business.”
Luckily, per the Wired Blog:
The IT department pulled back the memo, but it was too late. Employees were informed of management’s plans for the future, including references to the current layoffs as a “right-sizing” of the company.
A big old whoops on HR’s part. But on the bright side, it could have been a whole lot worse. Believe me, I’m not making fun of this. It can happen to anyone.
But I am glad it wasn’t me…this time.
A big thanks to Jim Stroud for pointing this subject matter out on Twitter.