Bad News
One of my friends and former co-workers was laid off from her job last Friday.
How much does that suck? While the rest of the company was thrilled as they received unexpected bonus checks - several employees were finding out that they were being laid off.
You might have heard a bit here or there in the news recently regarding GIA and their involvement in a bribery scandal. More recent news and press releases mention that they have settled the original lawsuit that sparked the entire controversy, that ultimately ended with the demise of a very large portion of the division of GIA responsible for collecting donations on behalf of the Institute.
My friend was one of the unfortunate ones who lost their jobs in the layoffs initiated just a little over a week before Christmas. What is also more unfortunate, is that she played a support role to the members of this division, and they chose instead to keep a less-qualified, less-competent inept little prick instead of her. While he wheedled and whined his way through the work day, month after month she worked many frustrating hours picking up his slack.
In the end, he was better at playing the game of political grab-ass - and having worked there for several years I can tell you that is exactly what gets you ahead there. I can also tell you I was never going to get very far in that organization. I can also tell you that I was encouraged to be more of a political player, tone down my unwelcomed habit of pointing out the logical facts and rational actions to take in a given situation.
As always, the details of the settlement for this lawsuit so far have been very hush-hush. If you have been following any of the information that has come out so far, it won’t surprise you. There is a culture there that encourages ALL indescretions - particularly those that could possibly result in a lawsuit - to be hushed and quieted.
I will be watching as the information comes out of all this. I have plenty more to say about the Gemological Institute, particularly with reference to my opinions and experiences there, but for now I’ll have to wait to put all of it together. I can assure you, what I have to say is only but a glimpse of the shit that goes on behind those gates in corporate headquarters. Only but a slice of the real GIA - a company that prides itself and has even made a name for itself based on its trustworthiness, and integrity.
For now, suffice to say that concept is disgusting when compared with the truth. That sad part is that there are still a handful of employees who honestly uphold those values: trust, honesty, integrity - and with that my utmost respect. But for the most part, my opinion is that the entire company is rife with sneaky, self-serving, dishonest players.
