Reddit thread about Bethel Reducing Headcount

by LongHairGal 72 Replies latest jw friends

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  Balaamsass2

  When I was at Bethel, I was in my early twenties and had been self supporting for a few years. I was ASTOUNDED when middle-aged men who were Bethel Elders asked me about How to write a resume', what it is like working at a "worldly" company, how much do apartments cost, what jobs pay what. So many Bethelites were clueless from working in a cloistered environment.

  I really feel for the Bethelites being laid off late in life, BUT, they are aware of Watchtower's history of failed prophecies and broken promises and they dedicated their entire lives to it. It is kind of like getting lung cancer in your 50s, and 60s after working in the research area of a large Tobacco corporation. A bitter pill, but one you took willingly.

  After 60 years in the borg, I am primarily angry with MYSELF.
• 

  road to nowhere

  The CO"s regularly bragging about their trips; always done on someone else's money. I know of ONE who saved the green handshakes and retired in a desiresble area and home. Been told he married money too.

  The few reassigned ones I had dealings with had both a chip on their shoulder and a mean personality.

  Tony is special because of what he knows. Note he gives up the real-estate at death and still has a aging car

  I have a list of things I never did or will never be able to again--not world tours, just midweek retirement camping etc. because of deferring them for "service" and health concerns.
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  Athanasius

  I would hope that a few of these forcefully retired Bethelites would get a good lawyer who specializes in age discrimination lawsuits. If the Watchtower's cruel practices are exposed in the media and the courts system, perhaps the Borg will be forced to pay its terminated employees the compensation they deserve.
  
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  Beth Sarim

  ''If the Watchtower's cruel practices are exposed in the media and the courts system, perhaps the Borg will be forced to pay its terminated employees the compensation they deserve. ''

  Should the Borg ever be required to compensate the unfairly terminated,,,such an event will mark an unprecedented time for the Borg.

  The Borg actually being responsible for the treatment of others. Yes. unprecedented. Actually being held in to account for its actions. Maybe setting a standard. But of course only if they are forced to.
  
  
• 

  3rdgen

  I can't think of any legal grounds for a terminated Bethelite to sue. First, No one is HIRED. Also, Bethelites SIGN a VOW OF POVERTY. They are completely aware that ALL their work there is voluntary. Anyone who wants to leave may do so, after the first year.

  Watchtower Corp. has covered their legal behind before a Bethelite spends his first night there.
• 

  LongHairGal

  3rdGEN:

  I had read somewhere that a couple let-go from bethel some years back had a case and received compensation.

  As the story went: it was a couple who were enticed to bethel because they had a ‘needed skill’. They were led to believe they would be there for life. Anyway, maybe after ten years they were let-go in a downsizing.. Well, apparently they did something about it.

  I would also think this couple wasn’t interested in how they were viewed by the religion or anybody else.
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  Beth Sarim

  The Borg,, WT has always been very crafty to evade legal entanglements.

  We see it with the bloodletting of the bethellites.

  Good observation 3rdGen
• 

  Listener

  “3rdgenan hour ago

  I can't think of any legal grounds for a terminated Bethelite to sue. First, No one is HIRED. Also, Bethelites SIGN a VOW OF POVERTY. They are completely aware that ALL their work there is voluntary.”

  Here in Australia, no one can give legal or financial advice unless they are qualified. Often contracts will include statements saying that seeking either legal or financial advice (whatever is appropriate) is strongly recommended before signing. I don’t think the Vow of Poverty contract includes this, so maybe there is a case since it both controls finances and takes away the right to sue.

  Sometimes, even though a person signs a contract which appears to take away their rights, doesn’t mean they are gone under common law.

  Also, it may be possible for a Bethelite who is thrown out, to establish the belief that even though they signed the vow, they were of the understanding that they would be looked after. They are, after all, now part of Jehovahs earthly organisation and there’s enough literature claiming that he will provide in times of need. Many jws believe this.
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  Gorb

  How does this risk affect the Bethelite? A constant stress because of keeping the status or job? Also stress for a couple? Could be killing at the long term.

  G.
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  no-zombie

  There has been many Bethel staff purges over the decades, and so with their international army of lawyers, I'm sure that the Organization is covered against this kind of litigation.

  I'm not saying that there might have been special cases where a very few exBethelites received a termination payment of some kind (like the case of our mysterious Brother Tony) however its highly unlikely that when some poor bastard from the printery get kicked out, that he'll get much more than pat on the back and a cardboard box for his belongings.