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Technology Stocks : Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: H James Morris who wrote (116719)	2/1/2001 3:32:09 AM
From: Glenn D. Rudolph	Respond to of 164687

Amazon is asking the laid-off workers to sign a separation agreement that contains 15 different clauses, including a ``non-disparagement clause'' that prohibits them from making deragatory comments about the company or its business. The employees who are being let go have until Feb. 9 to sign the 12-page agreement. Those who do not sign will receive only two weeks of severance pay, while those who do will receive ``enhanced severance packages.'' I own a relatively small company and I have never been laid-off. I do not have a clue but it would seem to me that this severance package would be illegal unless it was agreed upon when the laid-off employee was intially hired. I see descrimination based on reading the story. There are such things as no compete clauses when one takes a job and that gives the individual the choice of taking the job or passing. However, these people are leaving Amazmon and not by choice. They can't pass. They can either receive less severance or sign. There is not only something wrong with the legality in my mind but the ethics of Amazon management have sunk even lower in my opinion. I believe Bezos and the rest of the "family" of management are worse than the Wall Street Analysts pimps. This is my opinion of course. I would hate to have them sue me for libel and have them take my money as they have millions of others or should I say more of my money. Glenn

To: H James Morris who wrote (116719)	2/1/2001 8:43:09 AM
From: re3	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 164687

cbsnews.com

To: H James Morris who wrote (116719)	2/1/2001 9:00:37 AM
From: gladman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 164687

This makes me ill... >>By The Associated Press Last Update: 12:50 AM ET Feb 1, 2001 NewsWatch Latest headlines Get Alerted SEATTLE (AP) -- Employees laid off by Amazon.com Inc. are being urged by union activists not to agree to the Internet retailer's enhanced severance package, which includes more money and benefits but contains a clause prohibiting them from making any derogatory comments about the company. The company said in a memo to all of the 1,300 laid-off employees that those who signed the "nondisparagement" agreement would be eligible for an extra six weeks' pay, a lump-sum payment of $500 and accelerated vesting of any stock options that would have vested close to the time of termination.<<