Several people just received this via e-mail just now. Any employment or labor associates want to weigh in on this?
I regret to inform you that The Firm has adopted a plan of liquidation and will shut down substantially all of its operations on or about November 28, 2008. At the time of the shutdown, the employment of The Firm’s employees will be permanently terminated. Until then, please be aware that The Firm has work for you and expects you to report to work. Employees will be paid full salary and benefits until the shutdown. Where applicable, employees with accrued but unused vacation time may be scheduled for vacation prior to November 28.
You do not have displacement or bumping rights for other positions within The Firm. However, in order to conduct an orderly liquidation, The Firm may continue to employ a very limited number of employees after the date of the shutdown. If you wish to be considered for such work, please notify me by email; The Firm will let you know about past November 28 work within the next few days.
This letter constitutes notice to you pursuant to statute. As a terminated employee, you may be entitled to certain benefits, which will be the subject of a separate communication. The shutdown is being treated as a plant closing under relevant law, and includes the termination of employment of employees employed at 333 Bush Street, San Francisco, California 94104.
In the event you require additional information, please feel free to contact **************** or HellerEhrmanMgmt@hellerehrman.com.
Sincerely,
Heller Ehrman Management
It is very sad to see a great firm like Heller going under. I had the pleasure to work at Heller for several years and still regard my time there as one of my very best working experiences. From the moment I walked in to interview I thought Heller was a class act, and I left there years later with exactly the same thoughts. Not many businesses make that kind of impression on employees, but Heller did.
I have many friends who are still there, and I sincerely want to wish them and all of you the very best of luck in quickly finding new employment.