Cencora's layoffs should be a national story—not because layoffs are unusual, but because of the contrast between how employees and executives are being treated.
While employees who spent years, and in many cases decades, helping build this company are losing their livelihoods, the CEO's compensation was reported at approximately $18 million. Senior executives and vice presidents continue to earn enormous salaries and bonuses while rank-and-file employees are told that cuts are necessary.
Companies often speak about culture, values, and putting people first. Those words ring hollow when workers are shown the door while leadership continues to be rewarded at extraordinary levels. If the company truly believed that everyone should share in both success and hardship, the sacrifices would not fall almost exclusively on employees.
Other companies, such as IKEA, have built reputations for investing in their workforce and treating employees as long-term assets rather than costs to be reduced. Cencora appears to be moving in the opposite direction.
The message being sent is clear: when times are good, executives receive the rewards; when cost reductions are needed, employees absorb the consequences. Many of the people being laid off dedicated years of service to this company. They deserved better than to be treated as expendable while executive compensation continues to soar.
Bumped from @ez+1kvmc88bw for being on point.