MARRIOTT LAMENTATIONS 231: "Putting executives first - the 'us versus them' approach" - job cuts underway
"Putting executives first" is an unspoken Marriott core value. While employees feel the need to strike for a living wage and fair working conditions, Marriott executives have been cashing in, as company stock reaches all-time highs. Obviously, they're at liberty to do so but in light of current circumstances the insensitivity and contempt shown by these 'leading lights' is truly unbelievable. Failing to read the room leads to a dirty, unpleasant atmosphere in which employee allegiance can plummet
Causing an even greater stink is the news that Marriott is now laying off corporate employees. The cuts have started and will affect "above property" positions worldwide. Comments on Reddit have already been vicious
"I really hate how they are treating us like we’re not even people with feelings. The whole “keep working as usual“ is tone deaf and highly invalidating to our feelings. The timing is insensitive. Right before the holidays? Really? All the higher ups are getting severance and all we’re getting is stress. It’s extremely infuriating. I hate that we’re all going through this. We deserve better"
"Awful. We aren’t Marriott family run anymore. Turning into bank/tech at corporate"
"Don't buy any of the 'unlocking real potential' bs. It's all about their fat bonuses. They couldn't give less of a s--- about any employee"
Creating enormous animosity, the shameless, cash rich 'executives' eager to flaunt their wealth and make matters worse include:
Anthony Capuano (CEO), Leeny Oberg (CFO), Rena Reiss (General Counsel), Ty Breland EVP Human Resources), Liam Brown (Group Pres US & Canada), Peggy Roe (EVP Chief Customer Officer) and Drew Pinto (EVP Revenue & Tech) How do they find the time to do any work?
* Of course, 'us and them' is not a new concept in the business world. The phrase generally describes antagonistic or fraught relationships between two or more groups, especially those with unequal power, influence and privileges. 'Us and them' mentality, in which the 'thems' of this world become dehumanized, can be both shortsighted and highly detrimental to business growth and success. It’s a phenomenon that can erode trust, hinder productivity, and decrease the collective potential
The focus on 'us' is an inward gaze and organizationally narcissistic. The importance of achieving and maintaining status in 'us' takes precedence over any other consideration. The importance of 'us' eclipses any value assigned to 'them', their well-being or safety for example. Causing harm to peoples' lives is defended in inconsequential dollar amounts and often referred to as "the cost of doing business"
What is a divisive, cancerous mindset can be traced back to hierarchical structures, inadequate communication and transparency, and a climate that prioritises power over collaboration; it decimates empathy, goodwill, honesty and candor. 'Us vs them' is an 'organizational cancer' in which the organisation slowly attacks itself from within, causing extreme danger to its health and ultimate survival. As the saying goes: "An organization divided against itself cannot stand”
At Marriott, there are at least two coinciding 'us vs them' conflicts: “management versus the rest” and "company versus consumers" but in the latter case, as customers perceive the truth, they have the option to hit back; in some instances that can be seen as the beginning of the end for the company in question. Though Marriott's company spin informs us differently, loyalty members and others are already voting with their feet
* In conclusion, the following are a selection of other online expressions of disgust from corporate employees:
"At some point it became all about the owners, the non stop YOY improvements, productivity, savings. The innovation talk is gone. They are a full franchise company now. The thrill is gone. It will all get worn thin and then there will be a full sale. Its just how it rolls. Goodbye Marriott"
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"I’ve heard people who have gotten the notice that have been loyal for 25+ years being told it’s “just business.” Isn’t taking care of associates supposed to be a core value? Sure doesn’t feel like it. Feels like we are just another “resource” they can toss aside"
"You should have seen what [the Marriott leadership] did to properties during Covid and in 2008. I was there for both, so I understand 'no empathy and sensitivity'. They [talk about] teamwork and make you drink the kool-aid up until the next economic issue or downturn, then it's see you later and don't let the door hit you on the a-s on the way out. I have never been so embarrassed for the company as I was in 2008 and during covid. Looks like they still haven't learned how to do layoffs with compassion"
"Their 2016 restructuring was a disaster as well. They outsourced the work, quality of work took a nose dive, there was so much resentment amongst the people whose jobs were handed over to service providers ([and] rightly so). And a few years later Marriott hired some of the folks back as FTEs"
"This is the worst I have ever seen a reorg and layoffs handled in all my years and the different companies I have worked for. I seem to have survived but half my team, my boss, her boss have all been impacted. Those of us left can't handle the amount of work with the people we have and no direction yet on how we are supposed to move forward"
"I hate how the senior leadership is handling this with absolutely no empathy and sensitivity and trying to make everything seem normal. 'Keep doing your job!' 'Keep up with the great work!# - at what cost?"
"If any of us survive this and land back at Marriott, please do remember how you felt during this time and let it be known via the quarterly pulse surveys. I don't think Tony will be very well liked after this"
The condemnation is justified and fully deserved. More lives turned upside-down; further avoidable damage done to the Marriott brand. "Putting people first" is now exposed as a pile of deceitful and hurtful claptrap - a total sham
Mr Capuano, the cancers of power and greed have consumed your entire being and you are now clearly on a mission to destroy the Marriott heart and soul from within. It shouldn't have to be like this...
John Shepherd (Marriott victim and hunger striker)
Related link:
MARRIOTT LAMENTATIONS 228: "Cuts cuts cuts, growth growth growth; Marriott in limbo after underwhelming third quarter results"