Is C.O. Layoff Self-Fulfilling?

metatron

I have not seen any confirmation about C.O.'s being laid off. However, at some point such rumors may become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

We have already observed massive layoffs and attrition at Bethel. It is not hard to imagine that various Circuit Overseers could be asking

themselves if they are next. In addition, there is the continuing problem of organizational liability. Jehovah's Witnesses aren't much

different from the Catholic Church as to having a 'chain of command' hierarchy - which could allow deep pocket lawsuits to devastate

the organization. If you fire the Circuit Overseers, the chain is broken. They can't afford even one 'Catholic level' lawsuit payout.

Circuit Overseers are typically under stress and may slip away into other employment if these rumors don't stop.

I also realize that Bethel monitors boards like these, so as long as they don't stop these rumors, to that extent, they are pushing C.O.'s out

the door.............

metatron

sir82

Circuit Overseers are typically under stress and may slip away into other employment if these rumors don't stop.

I don't know, I'd say the majority are in their 50's & over, quite a few are in their 70's or even 80's.

Who would hire them? They've certainly got no practical skills, and the vast majority have been out of the job market for decades. Somehow "30 years experience giving the same 3 talks 26 times a year and living off green handshakes" doesn't spruce up a resume.

Even retirement is out of the question - they haven't even been paying into social Security, let alone accumulated an IRA or 410(k).

And that's why, if the rumors prove true, you're going to have a lot of really really pissed off guys out there. At least the ex-Bethelites learned something vaguely related to job skills, and most of the layoffs were couples in their 30's & 40's - still time to accumulate something for retirement.

Otherwise, I agree - the semi-coherent COs have to be wondering "Am I next?"

Octarine Prince

One thought:

After paying out the lawsuits, they realize how much the COs and DOs know that could make open-and-shut cases for future lawsuits.

They will be eliminated. It is the prudent thing to do on their part. They don't want all those middle-management people with inside information turning against them on lawsuits, or as has happened in the past, on doctrinal issues.

james_woods

They will be eliminated. It is the prudent thing to do on their part. They don't want all those middle-management people with inside information turning against them on lawsuits, or as has happened in the past, on doctrinal issues.

But wouldn't that have the exact effect they are trying to avoid? In other words, create quite a group of powerfully knowledgeable people who are really pissed off?

They could still turn against them legally or doctrinally after being dismissed, and I would think be more likely to do so after getting the boot.

sir82

But wouldn't that have the exact effect they are trying to avoid? In other words, create quite a group of powerfully knowledgeable people who are really pissed off?

One has to wonder if they were planning the great CO extinction soon, maybe even this service year, then (for once) somebody said "hey wait a minute...do we really want to do this?"

Seeker4

I have had a few confirmations privately that something is up with eliminating at the least the current CO arrangement. Not sure to what extent, or how it might affect DOs.

But, have been PMed by people I trust who are still on the inside that COs have spoken of this to them privately. I have no details, just info I trust that something is afoot!

As I've written before, this is a plus for us, and possibly trouble for the WTS.

S4

james_woods

One has to wonder if they were planning the great CO extinction soon, maybe even this service year, then (for once) somebody said "hey wait a minute...do we really want to do this?"

It is logical...but on the other hand - are they actually capable of that kind of self correction after reasoning? And, is it possible that they have realized that for good or evil, they just cannot afford the CO arrangement any longer? Probably legal would dearly love to see it go.

I think you were the poster in another thread about how the construction workers were first asked to stay forever, then a few months later told to go...I betcha legal had a hand in that one too.

Seems to me that legal & business management/admin are trumping even the Governing Body in real decisions these days. Didn't they relegate the Governing Body to non-business ruminations lately?

Octarine Prince

@ james_woods:

If I had an enemy, I would rather have them _outside_ my castle walls when we fought it out.

Their words will carry less weight when they are officially "disgruntled" ex-employees. They could still use some documents, but....

Yep. You remember.

The WTBTS give the damaging things to them by word-of-mouth and have some level of deniability.

james_woods

Octarine -

If I had an enemy, I would rather have them _outside_ my castle walls when we fought it out.

Probably. Certainly I can see the Legal and all-important Service department thinking exactly that. I can see it all now -

Service Dept: Yup, we want to get rid of them too. OK, Legal - how much can they hurt us on say the U.N. or the Pedophiles?

Legal: They don't have a complete paper trail. It will all blow over just like it did the first time.

Service Dept: What about doctrine? We heard there may be some holes there too...

Legal: Get over it. Most of them aren't even annointed. We have it handled - did you see the way we have pounded "loyalty to the FDS lately"? The governing body/FDS is now solidly under our control.

Seeker4

james w:

That was me that wrote about the Bethel construction workers who were asked to think about staying permanently, and then asked to leave a few months later.

S4

Is C.O. Layoff Self-Fulfilling?

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