"Don't be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash."

[A-Schwarzenegger]

Sorry if this is a dupe, I didnt see it anywhere.

Northwest Airlines offers fired workers economic tips.

http://wsws.org/articles/2006/aug2006/nowa-a18.shtml

Northwest Airlines to laid-off workers: rummage through the trash
By Joanne Laurier
18 August 2006

Earlier this month Northwest Airlines, the fifth largest carrier in the US, sent soon-to-be-laid-off customer service workers and baggage handlers a handbook with “tips” for managing their unemployed state. The four-page booklet, “Preparing for a Financial Setback,” contains a section entitled, “101 ways to save money.” Among its patronizing or insulting suggestions: urging workers to shop in thrift stores and not be “shy about pulling something you like out of the trash.”

more

[calimary]

1. Is that from the "Thanks for the Crumbs" chapter?

Holy Cow! I guess that's compassionate conservatism - on parade.

[prole_for_peace]

2. why don't they let them "rummage" through all the shampoo,

perfume and other stuff that the TSA is making everyone throw out?

i would love to be able to go through some of those bins...i love stuff...

[Shakespeare]

3. Apparently, they have been.

A gate attendant told my mom this week (they just flew to Reno and back) that the TSA employees were picking over all the confiscated stuff, taking what they wanted. Apparently, they're taking a lot.

[pitohui]

5. well they shouldn't be -- clear conflict of interest

this will only encourage further theft -- some face creams are over $100 an ounce and highly prized

[A-Schwarzenegger]

4. I'm still looking for the whole list of 101 tips.

One was borrow a dress for a big night out.
Anybody finds the list, please post it.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

6. More: "Take a shorter shower."

http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/06/08/24/100bus_d1singletary001.cfm

* Buy spare parts for your car at the junkyard.

* Get hand-me-down clothes and toys for your kids from family and friends.

* Take a shorter shower.

* Buy old furniture at yard sales and refinish it yourself.

* Volunteer two hours a month through a food-sharing program to get reduced-cost food.

* Hang clothes out to dry.

* Borrow a dress for a big night out, or go to a consignment shop.

* Ask your doctor for samples of prescriptions.

* Don't be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash.

* Refinance your mortgage.

It's not that any of these tips are unreasonable - except for the one recommending dumpster diving - it's the gall of a company under bankruptcy protection telling its employees how to better handle their money and in a frivolous, humiliating manner.

(But they apologized!):

"After review, we acknowledge that some of these tips were insensitive and could be very offensive and demeaning," Chard wrote. "As an EAP provider, it is our obligation to assist people in times of need and crisis, and we have clearly failed to do that in this situation."

[omega minimo]

7. Ah Yes, TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMICS!

You find LOTS of things trickling down when you Dumpster dive! :hi:

[Berry Cool]

8. The insensitivity of this comes from a company not realizing how tasteless

it is, right after you lay off people, to give them direct advice about how to save money.

It's one thing for them to offer you free job counseling and general services to help you cope. But advising you on how to get by with less...especially dumpster-diving...is just tacky. It only makes people think: "Hey, assholes, YOU'RE the reason I'm low on money! How DARE you tell me what I need to do to cut costs?"

edited to add: It's like having someone kill your parents, then handing you a book on the grieving process.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

9. "the gall of a company under bankruptcy protection" !!!

[razors edge]

10. maybe they can find

the company's humanity there.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

15. I think all of its humanity is in that list.

[upi402]

11. oldie but goodie!

Thanks for keeping this front and center and in our FACE! (collectively)

[A-Schwarzenegger]

13. Oh! I thought it just happened.

I searched, not far back enough I guess.
It's still astounding.

[Justice Is Comin]

12. I don't know why bush don't wear a garbage can over his head

It will save us the trouble of putting him in the garbage. All we have to do is turn it over and throw him on the truck.

[dogday]

14. So very nice of them to think of the little guy....

What a bunch of swell executives they must have :sarcasm:

[NaturalHigh]

16. Just curious...

How much do the company's executives make, and have they taken a pay cut yet? I'm guessing they won't have to take shorter showers or pull anything out of the trash.