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"Job-Saving Solutions"

The Boston Globe ran an article a week ago about the CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Paul Levy.  Facing forced layoffs due to recent economic turmoil, Mr. Levy decided to open up at a staff meeting where he asked employees to sacrifice some benefits so that they wouldn’t be forced to lay off people at the hospital.  The response he got was extremely supportive and people willingly sacrificed so that others could keep their jobs.

In this day and age, it is not uncommon to see reports of firms laying off workers in the thousands with seemingly little compassion.  It makes you wonder if every avenue is considered when these decisions are made or if they are as heartless as they appear.  Perhaps, if more teams were asked to sacrifice little things here and there – a decrease in bonus, a few days vacation, or unpaid time off – less people would be in hardship.

When faced with tough choices, executives are asked to display leadership – this is why they are paid handsomely.  Some leaders like Mr. Levy have the capacity to create solutions, while some are more concerned with preserving themselves and their personal wealth.

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TO:                Paul Levy, CEO, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
CC:                Kevin Cullen, Columnist, Boston Globe
                      Patient Relations, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
FROM:            Scott Riecke, A Letter A Week
SUBJ:             “A Head With a Heart”
DATE:             March 19, 2009

 

Mr. Levy,

I recently read an article in the March 12, 2009 edition of The Boston Globe entitled, “A Head With a Heart” by Kevin Cullen in which you were featured.  I was amazed at the positive reception you received when you asked your employees to sacrifice some of their benefits so that nobody at your hospital would be laid off.  In these times of unprecedented greed and general poor business management, it wouldn’t have surprised me to read about backlash from such an honorable thought as sacrificing personal gain for the well-being of others, even in times of crisis.  Yet somehow you seemed to have pulled it off.

I can only hope some of your peers in the management business have read this article.  If more executives had the ability to come up with alternative solutions to massive layoffs, I believe much of this country’s current economic woes would be less catastrophic.

When I read about Wall Street bonuses and high salaries being paid out at firms that have laid off massive amounts of employees, I can’t help but think that somehow our priorities have gone askew.  Something just seems wrong when greed gets in the way of teamwork, business sense and basic compassion for our fellow co-workers.  I know at many of these firms, employees aren’t necessarily given the option to forego benefits or bonuses – if the check comes in the mail, they just cash it.  Yet I have to believe that if given the chance to accept less in times of turmoil so that others won’t have to suffer, most Americans would choose the more generous option.  It seems as though your way of handling the crisis has proven just that.

My wife and I live in Chestnut Hill and we are expecting our first child in early May.  Upon recommendation from a friend, we had decided to have the baby at Beth Israel.  When we read this article, our first thought was that we were going to a hospital where the workers had been asked to give up some of their benefits and that we might be faced with a disgruntled staff during labor.  We contemplated a change, but ultimately decided against it.  We think that sacrifice in the face of crisis is an ultimate test of teamwork and loyalty – characteristics that are especially important in medical matters. 

It is refreshing to see someone attack problems with legitimate solutions as opposed to taking the easy way out.  I think that there are a number of corporate executives out there that can learn from your story.  I wish you good luck in continuing to weather the economic storm and look forward to the birth of my daughter at your hospital in May.

Sincerely,

Scott Riecke

 

If you would like to comment on this letter, Scott can be reached at info@aletteraweek.com.

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