Alejandro Rhett, J.Crew's vice president of men's merchandising, spent the evening posting bar pics after saying goodbye to 175 co-workers.Many moons ago, I worked at a company that was not doing well. I worked near the sales team, and I will always remember the day when the entire department was let go. It was sad. Depressingly sad. I did not feel like celebrating. In fact, I remember crying in my cubicle and then walking by their empty cubicles to cry some more. I could not imagine posting something like those images or being laid off and then seeing my co-workers post something like that.
Filed by Aimee Lutkin
June 18, 2015
If you're not keeping up with the inner workings of corporations that sell variations on tan pants, you probably don't know that J.Crew isn't doing so hot. Their most recent earnings report showed they'd suffered an overall operating loss of almost $521 million. That's a lot! People's hunger for beige sweaters is waning. One of the direct outcomes of this report was 175 lay-offs around the J.Crew offices. That's a lot, too! Think of all those people going home to tell their families and pets and lovers that they've been laid off.
Probably a fair share of them went drinking, but it was sad drinking. Alejandro Rhett, VP of men's merchandising, went PARTYING. And he wasn't afraid to show it on social media, using some of these super fun hashtags: #gonegirl #hungergames #maytheoddsbeeverinyourfavor #nofunhere. Presumably, #nofunhere is ironic, because it looks as though they're having lots of fun.
Honestly, I understand why they're celebrating. There's probably been an enormous amount of tension and somehow they've missed the guillotine. Sure, feel good. But when you post pics all over Instagram showing off how great you feel when almost 200 people are out of work, folks are gonna call it like they see it. And they see a bunch of tone-deaf assholes. Especially since, according to the NY Post, Rhett personally fired a number of them himself.
Maybe everyone's being too sensitive. There's a recent story of a similar staff purging at Lucky Magazine. That same day Lucky's ex-EIC Eva Chen posted a picture on Instagram that offended some people who'd gotten their pink slips:
Um, I guess it's a fashion thing? In that world, a smiling macaroon is a big ole "F*ck You" to the unemployed.
It's unclear whether Rhett is going to get into any trouble for his dumb posts, though they've all been taken down. A rep told the NY Post, “As soon as we were made aware, the appropriate actions took place." High fives all around, maybe?
I also have a feeling that Rhett regrets doing that insensitive move too. Really insensitive. Massively insensitive.
Also, very said to hear that J.Crew had to let go of so many employees. It is obvious that their design decisions have cost some dedicated employees their jobs. Sad, sad news all around. Here's to hoping they can turn things around before anymore employees are let go.
What are your thoughts on the article? Did you know that J.Crew had laid off so many members of their team?
"J.CRUEL" - smacked on the front page of a NYC newspaper, the story is all over NY gossip blogs/sites.
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, complete lack of judgment. Adding hashtag "jcrew crew" to those instagram pix made me absolutely speechless.
On a lighter note, this comment made me laugh so, so hard "Appropriate actions = guess who has to wear a Tilly sweater to work every day for the rest of the year?"
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ReplyDeleteI was told at my local store that the district manager that I had met in the store one time was one of the ones that got let go. For some reason, I think he was from the Nashville area. I always think it is very sad when people lose their jobs. I had two employees laid off right before Thanksgiving last year. What a bad time! I sort of feel bad for the employees at the store, I really think they are embarrassed. I had one ask me if I knew all the stuff going on and I wanted to say "Are you kidding?" I could tell they were bothered.
ReplyDeleteAre you in the Nashville area DD? I am. Love the CS store. GH has had so much turnover I no longer know anyone there.
DeleteI work in telecom, so having gone through layoffs goes without saying. It always felt like there had been a death, with a very somber mood afterward among those of us who survived the cuts-I never felt the need to celebrate.
I live in Knoxville but I am frequently in Nashville. I also really like the CS store. The associates at the CS store are much friendlier and helpful than GH. I do go to GH every time I am in town just to check it out, I think their sale area is larger and you know I am all about the sale! They also get more stuff we don't get here in Knoxville. I have heard that the new store in Chattanooga is pretty cool but haven't been there to check it out. It is in the revitalized warehouse row. Hope to stop next time I am on my way to Pensacola Beach.
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ReplyDeleteWhenever a company or an organization experiences troubles like J.Crew and others are it is very sad and difficult for employees. Many of these had nothing to do with decisions that ultimately cost so many their jobs.
ReplyDeleteLeaders need to constantly turn around and see if there are people following them; if they don't turn around they are just walking alone leading no one. Mickey, Jenna, Tom and many others obviously forgot to turn around.
Absolutely. Top management jumps ship: in the begging of this year, CFO and COO leaving for Lululemon and Avon, respectively; Merissa last year for Banana Republic; and Tom fired just recently. The PE owners cut costs left and right, trying to cash in before the company's looses the rest of its rreputation. Last year's high hopes to be sold to another private equity firm Fast Retailing - Uniqlo's owner fell apart. Going public (again) was considered too. The company is sinking in debt. Drexler has listed not only his Tribeca's place, but a House in Hamptons (for a mere $85 mil).
DeleteIn the meantime Jenna has been busy self-promoting. "As one "source" puts it: "J.Crew CEO Mickey Drexler is tired of Jenna Lyons being out on the circuit and not paying attention to business.", according to one Jezebel's article.
And this just what public sees, there is a lot more going on behind closed doors. Morale among employees must be non-existent at this point.
Mr Rhett is a VP and a member of the company's senior management. If this display is representative of his decision-making process, poor business results are not that surprising.
ReplyDeleteThis behavior would not be tolerated by most companies if the dude was an INTERN, let alone a VP.
Agreed.. It was very unprofessional of him.
DeleteMove over Tilly. "Alejandro shorts" are here! They MUST be renamed after him. He earned it!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shortsswim/stantonshorts/PRDOVR~A5989/A5989.jsp
Thank you for posting this Alexis. It is utterly appalling.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteVile. Just vile.
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ReplyDeleteThat guy need a good slap. From his mama.
ReplyDeleteAgree completely Stray Cat, horrible behaviour.
DeleteI keep deleting my posts - I feel like there is so much I could say, but I don't want to be ugly like they are. By the way, the girl in those photos, Jennifer stamos, brags on instagram about wearing dead animals. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteThey need to clean house. Get rid of this guy, Jenna, and Mickey. All at once. Then we'll see who is celebrating, won't we.
ReplyDeleteCNBC is reporting Alejandro Rhett has been fired.
ReplyDeletePeople are voicing their disdain on the J Crew facebook page. My guess is the three other people will also be relieved of their duties. If they aren't, they should be.
ReplyDeleteYes, he was fired!
ReplyDelete