FAMILY.kulish.com

For over 15 years I worked for a local family owned auto dealership,a franchise subsidiary of Daimler Chrysler. The majority of the employees had been there as long if not longer than I was. We were like a family.

Just recently the dealership was bought by Ken Garff Automotive Group out of Salt Lake City, Utah.We were told that the dealership would be closing, and the franchise would be absorbed into another dealership in town, also owned by Garff. We were given only five days notice(we were told the day after Christmas). We received no type of severance, only what was left of our vacation pay. Needless to say many of us were quite angry and hurt, our family was breaking up.

One bit of “good news” was that Garff agreed to take on as many of the employees as possible. We still had to go through and interview process, drug screening and background checks. I was “luckily” one of those picked up. They “made” a position for me. On my follow up interview it was stated that all my salary, vacation, seniority and 401K would carry over. WOW! I thought this was great.

On my first day there was of course paperwork to fill out. During this process I inquired into the 401K and was told I was the only one asking and they’d have to check on it. Two weeks later I was informed that I can roll everything over but would not be 100% vested for a year. Not only that, but I was not allowed to contribute until I was 100% vested. OK. I was a little disappointed but I had a job, right? I can work with that. Then about one month later I was informed that even though my seniority and vacation time carried over I would have to wait a year before I could qualify for that. ???? I could take time off but wouldn’t get my vacation pay until I’d been there a year. At such time I would get my vacation pay all at once (not when I took the time off). I was miffed but what can you do.

In the meantime, while getting acclimated to my new surroundings, I was told by several of my coworkers to “watch my back” and “cover my butt”. The feeling I got was that even though we were required to work as a team, it was definitely not an all for one, one for all environment. Coming from a close-knit family type group, I was feeling a bit disconcerted.

On this last Friday, after being there two and a half months, I was “let go”. The reason I was given was that I was not performing at an acceptable level. Was there anything measurable to compare my performance to? No. Was there any notice given that I was not performing well? No.

Well….I’m job hunting again. I won’t be looking in corporate America again. I think I’ll try the Mom & Pops down the street. And I certainly won’t buy from a dealership that is owned by Garff. I’ll be taking my car to the local grease monkey for service. I recommend you do too.