National Pen to add jobs, but few details known

This is all well and good but National Pen didn't mention it because they have been laying people off all year. My wife lost her job at the end of January with about 50 others. Her job was exactly what they are bringing in as well. They also will not hire back laid off employees for a year so she can't even re-apply for the job she is already trained for. Maybe they can explain why they are doing this?

Well, I am happy for NPC, Congratulations to them. However, Concered1976, is absolutely correct, I was laid off from the customer service divison back in January. We was told that our jobs are being eliminated, within hours of being laid off, they brought in 8 people from a different department to fill our jobs. That was a huge slap in the face for all of us. We was invited back the very next day for an unemployment seminar, but we was treated as if we were criminals by the NPC HR rep, like we had done something wrong, or as if this was our choice. That was our second slap in the face, now this. NPC spends lots of time & money in the training for it's new employees, and I do mean lots!! Each in employee has to go through two - three weeks of training. Why not bring back some of the already trained laid off employees, and not spend the money to re-train. I now have a job fo a wonderful company, but I have several more former co-workers that are stil looking for employment. This is the very reason specifics could not be given to the exact numbers losing their jobs in Manilia, and the number of jobs being brought here to Shelbyville!!!!

They are probably hiring in people at a lot lower wage. Thats why they don't want to bring the same people back. Just a thought.....

This is positive news for Shelbyville. I too was one who lost their job in January at NPC. I since have found another job at a wonderful company! I am concerned for those who have not found jobs! I do feel like they should be called first and given the option to come back or not. As far as the decision NPC has made to close down their Manilla office, I give you a big hand on that! I just wished you would have listened to your employees and customers when they were telling you that this division was costing the company massive amounts of money. Maybe alot of us could have been spared the difficult times that the bad decision making on NPC's part caused. Everything happens for a reason and I wish all the friends I have at NPC all the BEST!

I was reading Mommyof2boyz's comments and something occurred to me. Perhaps language like "we was" is what is keeping you from being re-hired. Not very professional coming from a sales rep or a customer service rep. Especially when you are dealing with other business professionals! Companies have more options than ever when hiring. It is all about putting your best foot forward. I'm just sayin.......

You mean the manilla reps actually got a deadline date. WOW how courteous is that! So the supervisors actually told them what was to come before it actually happend instead of just packing their stuff for them and escorting them out in front of everyone.

and that was intended for imjustsayin

Hey 1Americanwholosttheirjob,

Your user name should be 1AmericanwholostHERjob.

Your grammar is just as bad. No wonder you guys were let go.

Really! gottago how do you know I am not a MAN! Like I said lack of people skills you have! You just like to get on and dig other people not the subject at hand! So GET A LIFE!

I have worked at NPC, in the plant as well as upstairs. I was often appalled at the lack of skills some of my co-workers possessed. Frankly, I was embarrassed. As to the relevance of my comments, as well as GottaGos, the common theme was bashing NPC's hiring practises, I simply offered a counter opinion. I thought that was the purpose of this post.

So, am I correct by assuming that you have never worked in customer service - is that correct?

As for you gottago you have no clue what NPC employees go through. The place was like working in a sweat factory!! We went there everyday and worked hard!! We fought for NPC's customers!! I was told one day, when I was trying to do right by a customer, a supe out there told me that NPC writes my pay checks, not the customer, so I need to be trying to do right by the company, not the customer. Even though it is because of the customer that NPC could write my paychecks.

Oh, by the way the word is REHIRED not re-hired

Ok, if you will, refer back to the very first post from earlier today, the subject matter is that the individuals responding to this article are upset that their jobs were taken away from them, in the manner that they were, and are being filled with new trainees. They were not laid off for gramatical errors. This is a matter of a company that laid good representatives off due to a "financial downfall", and instead of calling those employees back they are spending more money to train more people who are in turn going to cost the company even more money. Since you may know a thing or two about NPC then you will agree that 90% of each training class never make it through training and another 5% never make it through their 90 day probation period. Then the 5% that do try to make a living working there make unavoidable mistakes for at least the first 6 months if not longer becuase that is just the nature of the business until you are able to efficently grasp the entire process of placing one order with the system NPC has in place. I think that under the circumstance you should appologize for the abrasiveness of your comment and keep this civil

We are done here.

Ok, the real truth is National Pen is bleeding cash very badly. Bad ownership, management and decisions since the departure of Tom Liguori in 2006 has led to significant problems & downsizing.

Before Christmas last year the company virtually closed its entire Canadian operation with 50+ employees out of work with no advance notice. This channel represented a significant source of revenue growth and had many very experienced reps. The rest will get fired later this year. Now it has closed the Philippines operation of over 200 employees that was a growing source of cost-savings for the business.

National Pen is imploding rapidly and this is the impetus for the reductions -- there will be no new jobs. The company sees the wage rate paid in Shelbyville as "too high" and will move positions toward its plant in Mexico or elsewhere. As for manufacturing, a very significant and ever increasing percentage of product is produced in China.

Don't let this press release fool you. This company will be lucky not to become a "fire sale" by Berwind (the parent company) within the next 12 months due to its ineptitude. If you work there, start looking. Don't say you weren't warned, these actions speak louder than words. Berwind is considering writing off the company as a loss.

I have to agree with the people who have negative reaction towards this development of NPC hiring new employees when they laid off so many people in January. I was one of the dozens that were laid off in January and I dont think it is right that they would hire new employees instead of calling back the ones that have experience and years dedicated to the company. I did not work in sales. I worked on the floor and was very upset when I was laid off. I mean my god I was there for 11 years and 9 months. You would think that they ( the company ) would rather have some one that was dedicated like me than to spend all that money ( money that they dont have ) to hire and train new employees. Well that shows me that the company is only out for themselves and not in it for the employees who dedicate their lives for their company.

It must be understood that a meeting was held with each employee who was being laid off by upper management and an HR representative. In this meeting it was explained that these employees were not being laid off for inadequet performance. They were being laid off because NPC took a downfall the prior year. So, can it be explained that of all of the people who were laid off why none of them were called back?

Thank you realisticone for being so honest in your post. Most companies have a layoff policy and when faced with a reduction they must first look at anyone who has had a performance problem and if one doesn't exist but they still are required to cut down their workforce they move to seniority as long as the more senior person can perform the job requirements. The negative commentary by those that were layed off screams volumes as to why those people would never be called back for rehire.

Good for you Concerned4all5 I know all of this and GOD is what got me through all of this! I can only hope and pray that all my friends at NPC are able to keep their jobs! Please remember that GOD is the only one that can get you through this....and HE WILL! GOD DID IT FOR ME!

I am one of the employees of NPC Manila and from our perspective; YES it is sad that we¡*ll be leaving National Pen. However, it¡*s not really the jobs that were sad to loose but the friendship we had with our colleagues, the thought that were not gonna be able to smoke w/ them anymore! LOL! ƒº Frankly speaking, Filipinos are so damn great that not only Americans but other foreign investors outsource here, so it¡*s not really a problem for us looking for a job here, we can just cross the road to the next building and with all our experiences, can easily get a new job in a one day process. (How we wish it¡*s the same there) We are capable of a lot of things, which makes us qualify to do a lot of jobs. We are happy that this will bring opportunities to your people there. We see in CNN that you¡*re struggling.ƒ¼ƒnWe wish you all the best. America¡*s success will also be our success in the long run. We just can¡*t see what kind of move is that closing the Manila site instead of the other sites. I think ¡*COST CUTTING¡* is a very lousy reason. Currency is a lot lower here, 49 times lower than in the United States. For example, the salary of a Sales rep in TN is equivalent to more than 10 agents in the Philippines, so where¡*s the logic? We don¡*t have anything against getting jobs back in the US, just don¡*t make us stupid. Obviously, we do have few Call Centers for our very own citizens because we know how to read fine prints! (If you can read between the lines) We would understand more if they had reasoned out that they would like to bring back the jobs to the US to help the economy that¡*s why they¡*re shutting us down. That could¡*ve been a more reasonable one. We are not narrow-minded! Everybody knows how America is doing right now; it¡*s evident on each customer I had spoken with. They should¡*ve just given us a more justifiable reason. Good thing is the severance pay as well. National Pen is still so generous after all. We also hope they won¡*t feel too much hit after 6 months. Do you know that our Sales Reps here in Manila were calling dead leads and getting sales from them BIG TIME! Those are the leads that TN telemarketers cannot squeeze anymore. So, from where will National Pen get the $4M+ that were bringing up the house from some almost thrash call leads? Anyway, to those who have lost there jobs there in NPC US and haven¡*t found any yet, hope you can find new jobs soon. And to National Pen, thanks for the generosity! I was able to buy a new house from the big bucks I earned form you! GOODLUCK!

When it came time to decide who stays and who goes in January; trust me it was based on performance. The CEO himself used terms like "NFL draft". So my recommendation to all employees who work at NPC today; be sure to make every day count and make sure you prove your worth. I still work upstairs and I would not be surprised if their are more layoffs; but due to performance and not profit.

God Bless "Man"! We all need you.

This may contain material that is offensive to some readers ...VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

First let me start by saying,,,,,,, I am a NPC employee for 15 years now and have sat and read all of these blogs about the company that once put food in the mouths and roofs over the heads of many. I don't give a crap about all the he said she said dooky that is going on about Manilla. What I do care about however is the fact that I am was and always will be an EMPLOYEE of some company and it will be National Pen until they see fit for that to change. NPC Manilla you are probably the most self-contradicting person I have ever read a statement from. All I have to say to you is BOOOOHOOOOO now shut up and go on with it. Ntional Pen has always been the GREATEST JOB I HAVE EVER HAD, although I must admit it has been very different since the sell to THE BERWIND GROUP. You all need to understand that a company is not in business to please employees first, they are here to make money. All of you people laid off by NPC I really do sympathize for your loss of employment.However rule of business is to make money then keep employees happy. If you can't make money there would be no reason to have employees.....IT'S That Simple. I have said and will tell any manager here I will be here 'til the last truck is loaded and the lights are turned off if they let me be. I like MANY others have a family to support and have done so for 15 years with my extended family here at NPC. Most people dont think about their companies future do they NPC_MANILLA or they wouldn't be taking all of those smoke breaks with their friends, instead they would be trying to figure out how to make it an evergrowing company and not just a Phillipino pub to hang out with their friends. Either pee or get off the pot already. A now retired manager of high respect here asked me when I started here in 94 "Son tell me something...Did you come here for a job or did you come here to work" Let's just call him RED. I said, "well sir I came here for a job and if you give me that I will work to keep it" He laughed and said it was the first time it had ever been put to him like that. We didn't always see eye to eye but in time he put alot of faith and trust in my abilities and in time I found him to be one of the BEST managers I had ever worked for. WISH HE WAS STILL HERE WE NEED HIM NOW. To get back to the subject at hand Companies are supposed to make money then friends and all of you past and present can never say that NPC has never done anything for you BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE A LIE!!!!!!! So for what ever it is worth to all of the NPC FAMILY Move forward worked smart not hard and last but not least GOD BLESS. Oh yeah and if you Philipinos make so much less money there why would they close you down I'll tell you why. Why should NPC pay you a darn dime to do nothing all day but screw things up and then have to pay the U.S. wages to have the stuuff fixed and done the NPC way. Thats right I went there!!!!!!!!!

NPC began dying once Greg Duss, Billy Fox, Andy Frank, Ken Bukauski, etc. left. Berwind should get these guys back and replace the idiots they have in place now.

Oh yeah and another thing NPC_Manilla we dont get 30 minutes for lunch we only get 2 ten minute breaks. SO nanana booboo mister or misses know it all

You really dont understand it WRONGISWRONG, do you? (Why am I expecting?! duh!) Your being paid on those 2 10 min breaks so you should be working instead. I feel very sorry for you. Despite what happened to us, were still much luckier than you!and i may not know it all, but obviously, i know more than you. hahaha! :p

I have posted four comments in reaction to this story. Now, I must let it go and get back to work. My supervisor recognized my comments and he suggested that I add a comment about how all of my comments are simply my opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of NPC or Berwind. I would like nothing more than to see NPC on the path to growth again. We'll see. Good luck to the folks in Manila and Canada. Good luck to the employees left with us.

Thank you.

P.S. Bring back the Ledger Pen already. :)

I have debated on commenting on this issue for sometime now. The purpose of this post is to clear up some inconsistancies and to express relevant truth versus "facts" fueled by lack of understanding and knowledge. So, here goes...

I worked for National Pen for almost 5 years in the TELESALES Dept. I began with Scripter and ended in Customer Service. I also began working under the leadership of the now "Sales and Service Director." I state that to say this. I personally saw the above mentioned individual work her tail off in a male dominated managment team without any help. She took a department in its infancy and built it to bring in more revenue, percentage wise, than 3 teams together in the other sales department. She was amazing to work for, learn from and ALWAYS ALWAYS fought on behalf of her employees. There were several times she approached managment on issues that were not balanced out in regards to wages and responsibilities. She built a department strong enough to send overseas. Without her, there would have never been a Manilia Location. Her attempted resignation was warranted. In no way did Greg Duss know her involvement in all the areas in which she contributed. She never asked for praise or special treatment, just respect and help. Had anyone been in her shoes and had her workload with the lack of support she had, you would had quit or buckled under the pressure. This is FACT!!!

Fast forward a year...

In 2006, as many know, there was a layoff that was shocking, brutal, and if you ask me morally bankrupt. They were letting individuals go that had been there 30+ years for reasons that was contrary to the real reason. At this time, I had been promoted to managment and that was the beginning of the end for me.

As management, I began to see things that were so very unfair. As an adult, I know life is not fair but it crossed the line of unfairness to vindictivness and selfishness. It was so wrong. You would have Supervisors ganging up on an employee to get them to quit. They figured if they could make work hell for them, they would quit. It became thier goal, to mke them quit. I want to make this clear... I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN AND WITNESSED...

-- them dissect and undesired employees work.

-- they would confuse them, constantly

contridicting themselves...on purpose

-- invade their personal space

-- make false accusations

-- personally attack them

-- be so disrespectful and mean that it was

painful to watch.

-- stand over them... constantly

-- humiliation

-- changing thier hours and not tell them

-- moving them to a team that would not fit the

personality of that person, so a personality

conflict would take place.

-- change thier lunch hours without warning

-- Lie

-- Purpously withold assistance and help to set

them up for failure.

The hardest thing was seeing a girl crying because she didnt understand what she had done wrong for them to treat her this was. I want to make this clear also... The majority of people that were treated this way was subjected to this for PERSONAL reasons. There were few who were let go and subjected to the same treatment who were less than desirable BUT even in those cases. NO ONE DESERVES TO BE TREATED LIKE THAT!!! NO ONE!!!

So if it was this bad why does people stay???

Most of them were and are single moms who have no choice but to stay because they need a job.

I have also seen people displaced and terminated from a job that was being done above performance to make room for personal choices. I have seen them recruit individuals from Jostens, who previously left the company on negative terms, to fill positions before even posting them for qualified indiviuals that were presently with National Pen. The people recruited wasn't recruited because of what they could contribute but were recruited because of friendships with the "Director." To move someone who has been in a position and excelled in that position to bring in a buddy that you drink with is.....well, it is less than professional and calls into question the moral compass of the Director.

You see, when you work there once one Supervisor does not like you then they ALL jump on the bandwagon. So, the individual isn't getting this treatment from one but from all. To question the validity of this statement is rational but let's take a look at how transparent the managment team is at National Pen.

All employee's that have been laid off were told it was due to profit loss or job elimination as the reason for the unfortunate release of employment. However, that excuse is followed with the justification that the lay off was performanced based. So, this is the question I pose. If National Pen did not base the individuals layoffs on personal opinions and issues, then why will they not be re-hired? And if it is based on performance then why did managment feel the need to lie?

I have never known any person of managment to have tact or concern in regards to feelings of others. So, what it boils down to is that the company is represented by liars and personal gain OR they are a company who has their prioroties out of balance and is contributing to its own failure. Either way, the company will have the management to thank for the loss of the company.

As, I expressed above. My thoughts on the current Director of Sales were, at one time, thoughts of pride and admiration. She really deserved more than she was given and never gave up. She was smart, ambitious, motivated and was driven to achieve success for the sales operation maintained here to ensure that her employees felt secure in their job.

However, Wisdom IS the principal thing, so a certain BOOK reads.

Wisdom, will keep ambition from turning into selfish ambition. You will make wise choices. You will not keep your daughter employed, who is a teenager, over someone who has a family and has been there for over 10 years.

Wisdom will keep intellect from turning into foolishness. Intellect is having a managment team that is of qualified individuals, not friends or family, who care for employees because they would know that if they are there for the employees then customers would have extremely great service. It is foolish to expect Customer Service to assist someone when they cannot get assistance when needed or support when requested. Friends and family bring in HUGE conflict of interests.

Wisdom will keep pride at a minimum and maintain humbleness. You would treat people the way you would want to be treated.

Wisdom will not let you forget where you started and would remind you that you are one decision away from going back there.

Wisdom will keep your motivations pure and you will think whats best for the company instead what is better for you.

However, the thing about wisdom is that you can't buy it. It doesn't come with a promotion or a

"job title." It isn't something that you can pretend you have. Wisdom is part of a persons character. If a person is wise then the good fruits of that persons wisdom will come forth and with no disrespect, but where are the good fruits?!?!? That is, beyond your personal space.

I would like to make clear. I have no angry, vengeful and bitter motivations to this. However, I do have dissapointment and sadness. I witnessed a brave woman rise to a challenge who was full of potential just to fall and lose everything she worked for because of lack of wisdom.

To say that decisions is not personal, is beyond false. Alot of these individuals have not just lost a job but been personally attacked by management at National Pen. It is personal when you do what is required but because someone may not like you, they fire you. THATS IS PERSONAL. Its personal when you have been there for 10 years but because there is someone who is friends with the director, they take your job.

The individuals that walk into that place and see it as a job, are there to do their job and dont make it personal are the ones that end up in the unemployment line.

It all boils down to this and it is relevant today as it was over 2000 years ago...

NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, whether it be Director of Sales and Service or the homeless man on the streets. YOU WILL ALWAYS REAP WHAT YOU SOW!!! You cant do people wrong and expect any different to be done in your life. You cant allow people to treat employees that you claim to be your like dirt. Marilyn was the only one in management that cared for employees and how do they thank her?!? They get rid of her after 30+ years and relpace her with someone who could care less.

National Pen will close its doors because of the managemnt and the way they treat employees and not because of sales and revenue. The saddest part is that it doesn't have to be that way. If you begin to be company focused instead of self focused then you still may have hope

Educated - you left a few things out of your commentary. You said it best when you said "you reap what you sow". This is likely the reason you are in the position you are today. National Pen is still in business and is not bankrupt nor are they closing their doors and as I read the ad I see this as positive in moving jobs back to TN.

The director in most companies operates in a position that is involved in meetings with executives and reports for their group but large business decisions like reductions in work force for economic reasons and which areas must cut cost typically come down to the managers of those areas and are not something they decide upon.

As I stated earlier there are or should be policies in place where companies decide upon who those person will be when faced with eliminating jobs.

You make allot of allegations as if the companies decisions are being made solely by the director of their sales team and I find that hard to believe. You said early on that the director fought for the employees yet some how you think that because there was another layoff in January that this person has stopped doing that? A layoff doesn't mean that a person no longer cares but is doing what is best for the company.

Business decisions are hard, the hardest part for anyone reading any of these blogs is that there are no facts or details and most are simply one persons opinion. That person in every case is someone who doesn't work for the company any longer and has anger they would like for everyone to hear and the truth is they don't work for the company for valid reasons or they would still be there.

It is sad that a simple report given to the newspaper about something positive has taken people in the local community and abroad to this level of ignorance. People are bashing one another for no reason at all and no gain outside of some personal pleasure they must feel in humilating another person.

Is this the way people should be responding when in TN the unemployment rate just rose in April from 9.6% to 9.9% and a year ago was 6%? Do you realize in Bedford County last month there were 2,550 unemployed people and the unemployment rate for the county is at 11.2% over a rate of 5.2% last year? Please stop speaking out in ignorance and see this as something positive in a time when the local community is facing such a very difficult time.

ManilaNPC,

You are a hypocrit. You came on this forum being boastful and condescending and you needed to see that no matter the economic situation here (it will improve, by the way) that it is very likely that no one in this country would even consider changing places with you. It is doubtful that the reps in your country really did any better than those here, anyway.

My comments to you were made in response to the following specifically:

'I feel very sorry for you. Despite what happened to us, were still much luckier than you!and i may not know it all, but obviously, i know more than you. hahaha! :p' and

'We think before we talk, We UNDERSTAND before we comment. And if we are misunderstood, its not our fault that there are people who doesnt have the capacity to think nor understand.'

Oh, there you are memyselfi. It's been a while since you piped up.

First off,

I had worked for NPC for a year as well, and during that period of time, I must say that I have learned to love the company and the people that comprises the organization despite its obvious flaws and imperfections. Although I am based here in the Philippines, I had made some brief but good working relationships with the AEs and customer service reps based in the US. I have developed a sense of connection with customers that I've made sales with. That's WHY it deeply saddens me to know that they are closing their offices here in Manila and another hundred people (and families) will need to find another way to make ends meet.

But what bothers me most is the fact that NPC employees are wasting their time fighting over something that neither any of us can control or can be held responsible for.

I simply want to make things clear. I have tried my best to suppress any emotions that may affect the post/s I might ( or rather, I should) make regarding this thread. That will make me sound awfully unprofessional which is in contrast with the beliefs and values I stand for.

I am truly disappointed about the comments and posts that I've read in this thread. For all the hullabaloo ongoing, I can't see the point why we should turn to each other with such bitterness. We WERE supposed to be one family, and to think that you are fighting over something that doesn't even care about your concerns. Because frankly, if it did, you wouldn't be arguing amongst yourselves and crying relentlessly over spilled milk.

Be mature enough to accept what had already happened. When it's over, it IS over. Something definitely better will come in lieu of what we lost.

I know it's hard for everyone to accept the truth, but as the saying goes, it's up to you to perceive it as a glass half empty or half full.

I hope this loss serve as an eye-opener and a blessing in disguise for all of us. Don't you see that this 'loss' will actually help you move on to the right direction you were meant to take. I know almost all of NPC Manila people are college graduates, with professions that are far from making sales, or customer service, for that matter.

Again, I am not degrading or demoralizing our line of work,here in Manila, as well as in the US offices or Canada office. I am just stating a fact that this event will hopefully make you turn your plans into reality. It will be hard without NPC's safety net hovering over your financial scares but success only comes with great risks.

Hopefully, this senseless debate will die a natural death. There's absolutely no sense in belittling each other. Name calling IS nothing but a childish way of reacting. A shallow and immature act of incompetence which only serve as a defense mechanism for our fears. Everyone is confused and scared of what is happening and what WILL happen next, but don't give in to the pressure. Take this as a test of character.

So to those people who had made false accusations about each other, even resorting to the lowly and pathetic act that we call discrimination. Just stop. This is not who you are, and definitely not who you're going to be.

Nobody is a bigger loser in this game. All of us are just victims of consequences that is up to us if we want it to turn out as good or bad.

This message thread just shows how our characters are measured by how we respond to this things. Remember that racism, social discrimination, and name calling is simply wrong.

I ask NPC_Manila, memyselfi, and Gottago to stop your selfish squabbles. You are not helping anyone with what you are doing. And if you will AGAIN react with immature remarks, then I have nothing to say anymore. Your characters were already measured and you had only lived up to it.

HardWorking,

Again, lets keep with FACTS!! August of 2006 is when the 1st major layoff happened. Did I contribute to people being done wron?!?! Absolutley, because I saw needing a job taking precedence over standing for what was right. Did I directly participate in what was being done, no but it doesnt change the fact that I done nothing to stop it and I am guilty by association. THAT IS FACT. For that I apologize to all who endured unfair treatment.

Why is it assumed that people who speak truth were fired??? There are choices and some of those choices included walking away and making the decision that no job is worth degrading human beings, whether it be done directly or indirectly.

If your management is so honest and transparent and cares about employees, why was her daughter kept over an employess who had been there with a family? Why did she displace employees that was in management to make room for her friends? Why is her sister the second in command under her authority? Why is that place like a revolving door with employees?

Who is going to hold her accountable and dispute issues when they are all her friends? The key is to surround yourself with people that will tell you what you NEED to hear and not what you WANT to hear.

So, in closing. Refuting comments is valid but lets try keeping them FACT based instead of making it a personal attack. Answer the facts instead of deflecting them. Maybe then, you will begin to make some head way in defending your case.

HardWorking...

WOW..... no cord struck here. Not even close actually. It seems as it may be on your side though. Now, maybe if my motivations was to be vindictive and I was lying, I may get upset BUT truth is what it is.

The attempt of questioning or trying to refute an issue you know NOTHING about really shows you seek drama and not truth. If you read the initial post from me, you will read my reasons for posting ANY comment. When I worked there, i didnt defend people who were done wrong, i should had. However, when i see people are stating the truth just to be called liars,on public forum, I will stand for truth and respond on public forum. If this isnt "professional" for you, how would you suggest I respond? With a typed letter? Come on now. Try thinking before speaking. No, direspect but honestly.

I am not there because, are you ready for this, I CHOSE not to remain there. Professional, I am. I know how to treat and respect people. Professional may not be defined by integrity to you and if not, thats your perogative. However, if that is the case, I would pick character and integrity over professionalism ANY DAY!!! Do you know what integrity means? I ask not to be arrogant or mean spirited but I am sure you will want to call that into question. I took the liberty in looking it up for you.

INTEGRITY- firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values OR INCORRUPTIBILITY.

Integrity is why I walked away. Integrity is why I felt a responsibility to defend the ones that are being called liars.

Notice, I am not submitting posts on things I did not witness myself. I am not passing lies off as truth. I am merely stating that... The people that have made comments about NPC that are negative are not lying. They are speaking truth.

Seriously, don't be insistant on reacting to an issue you know nothing about or dont desire to be honest about.

EDUCATE yourself and then maybe I will make time to "respond" and not react, because professionals don't, to your next comment. I submit the thought, keep it NPC focused and not a personal attack. You are entitled to my opinion as I am mine. Dont pick up stones to throw when you live in a glass house.

HardWorking,

If, and I say loosely IF... You "know" anything about that place like you say you do and you deny that things listed above happened, then I am sorry to say but you are flat out lying or, giving you benefit of the doubt, so far in denial it is really sad.

You see, I dont have to worry about "it coming back on me" because it is truth. Yes, it is unlawful and unmoral to do these things, thats why they use the excuse "performance" issues. I have no right to say anything about any other company because I have no clue about those places. I would not ever state and stand by something that I did not see done myself. Employees came to me upset looking for answers and yet you say shame on me?!?! What about the individuals who were responsible and behind such pain? I wonder about your state of mind. I am sorry but I do.

Again... I left NPC because of what they done to people and how they treated people. So, if you have issues with what was listed, truth, take it up with National Pen. Again... how can a company leave me bitter when I chose to depart on my own free will? Again, lets keep it on topic and not personal, as so many in management there do, you are a fine example. As for my family, which is persoanl and nothing to do with NPC... We have a great relationship with each other. We are close knit and they are amazing so please keep them out of the venom that you spew. NO bitterness here. No resentment here. No ill intent or motivations. Intentions was to stand up for those being called liars on this posts, when in fact they are not. I never intended to stir up hate or evil. I am not going to make a statement of NPC treating employees bad without including the basis on which I would state such.

I am not the type of person that takes pleasure in finger pointing which is EXACTLY why i left in peace and didn't tell them how i felt.

To say that there is not one person that picks, I am not sure about that. I feel diffrently. One manager doesnt like you and then they all dont. So essentially, it is one person. The only ones that have lasted are the high dollar reps and they are stressed to the max and their pay is always being adjusted and taken away on diffrent commision scales and I would say they are hanging in to retirement. Since, you do KNOW so much then with all do respect, you should KNOW this.

Because, my intention was solely to say the ones who have spoken negative are not lying and not to argue. I have done so and have justified my reasons for that. I owe you no explanation or time in defending truth. Truth defends itself. Since you feel it is the ideal place to work and individuals are treated fairly then why dont you express that to each individual who states different on this blog.

To all who lost their job, I am sorry and you are valid in your claims.

To the ones still there, hang in there and dont compromise your values for a job like I had done. YOU ALL deserve the best...especially the ones who are high dollar sales reps who have endured changes in the requirements, management and most of all pay. YOU GUYS ARE THE HEART OF THAT PLACE AND YOU ARE AMAZING.

To all others, I stand by what I have said and because I am not the type to be vindictive and spew hate, I am done. I spoke truth, it is out there and leave the topic with integrity and character in tact.

HardWorking, I have stated all I need to state and have stayed true to who I am. I have no need in dragging out a pointless arguement with someone who is lacking the capacity to do so without attacking a persons family and motivations. I do not need attention or crave attention from others because I am more than comfortable with who I am and my morals. That is why I can walk away when you call me a liar. That is why I have been ever so calm In my messages, unlike yours. I feel no need to be nasty and involve your personal life in which I have no basis and I can say I stood for what is right.

Like, I stated earlier. To think I wouldnt be challanged for exposing ugly truth without a backlash is ridiculous. However, at least this time I didnt look the other way when employees and former employees were being honest but yet done wrong. I finally donw what I should had done so long ago and that is something that even you, HardWorking, can't diminish.

Awe - walk, walk away with PRIDE as I am sure you did from NPC.

Do you forget so quickly? You in your initial blog made it a point to point fingers at specific people and mentioned numerous times their FAMILY.

REMEMBER?

You used this to cry your river - to pour your "oh poor me" on everyone and put NPC and specific people to SHAME.

Now you want to somehow defend former employees that seem to have come to a conclusion that NPC will have all these new positions and they will not be called upon.

With your "story" I am sure they all felt MUCH BETTER.

WOW! Good luck in your future "Management" Career.

Who is familiar with the term marionette? Those of you who think that your local management team controls the decisions bestowed on the employees in the Tennessee division obviously do not understand Corporate America. Those outside of San Diego yield no real power and are the puppets to the marionettes of big business. All decisions made, whether by NPC, Dell, Tyson, Sanford, Starbucks, etc. are done by the decision makers who are in those positions BECAUSE they are able to take the personal out of business. If this weren't the case, many more businesses would have met the same fate as those who were forced into bankruptcy and closure in the past year. You are falling into the trap of shooting the messengers who really had no say in the final decisions that were made in order to keep the business afloat.

Regardless of the "he says, she says" banter going back and forth in these posts, the bottom line is that those who are still employed should be grateful and work hard to keep that employment and those who are not should not bite the hand that could once again feed them given the opportunity. With recessions historically lasting about 20 months we should all look forward to an upswing in the economy. With the hope of a future filled with opportunities, it seems to me that a lot of wasted energy is being exerted into these posts which could be funnelled into a more productive and positive method to seek employment or further education. As a business owner who looks for employees who are passionate about their beliefs and goals, I see much promise in many of you and sincerely hope that you are able to put what you cannot control behind you and press forward to a brighter future that YOU can control.

If you have a body that has gangrene of the foot, do you let the decay spread and eventually kill the whole body or do you amputate the foot to save the rest of the body? The amputation hurts, may seem senseless to some, but if it in fact causes life to continue then it was not in vain. I firmly believe this is what happens in any business environment fighting for the life of the business and unfortunately an amputation, if you will, of employees is necessary to keep the business alive.

I think a lot of the responses posted here are coming more out of hurt feelings and bruised egos. That is understandable given the loss of income, self-esteem and hope that comes with losing a job; but I would hope that all could separate the truth from urban legend and folklore and call a spade for what it is, a spade. In this case, it is just business.

Thank you so much for the laugh...It's funny that you hide behind a screen name because Mommy (Jennifer)and Educated (Susan)were super easy to figure out. I hope you never find yourselves jobless again. Word travels fast in small towns like Shelbyville and the surrounding counties. Good luck with your futures! Really, you ladies need to get a life and GROW UP!! You won't see this many cry babies in a daycare...lmao!

And to those of you who were bashing the Philippean employees...shame on you! Those mean words were very unnecessary. May God have mercy on your souls.

STFU:

So it seems that you would indeed think yourself SMART enough to figure out who I am....LMAO about that!!!

You want to say that people are hiding behind a screen name...SO WHAT IS STFU??? Is that not a screen name???

THAT IS PURE HYPOCRISY!!

Thank you for the much needed early morning laugh!!

Have a great day!!!

STFU and friends,

Many of you know me as Susan Fears. Recently I was contacted by one of the past NPC employees questioning me if I was "Educated" on this blogging site. After reading, rather let me refresh that skimming, some of these entries I decided I needed to "Clear the Air".

1. I am not the person presented as "Educated" on this site.

2. To all of you that have never been Mgt. at NPC or any where.... You should know clearly that upper management in a large corporation such as NPC makes the decision of closing a facility such as Manilla. While The TN Management may or may not have been allowed to provide any data or input it would have been minimal.

3. NPC gave me vast working knowledge and while there were times I didn't agree with how items were presented or the "final" decision was placed I followed the direction of the management team as a whole body for the good of the Company.

4. If asked and it is evident that STFU needs to know that I have nothing but respect for the Management team at NPC. Coodos to Melissa, Cindy, Michelle, and Gina for your hard work and leadership abilities. Ladies you have worked hard for your positions and each of you taught me so much. You are deserving and have my respect.

5. For those of you that have blogged here if you have not read the book "Good to Great" please do. It will shine some light on your management questions, as well as needs and concerns.

People..... we as Americans are in a time of crisis. I as several of you either from the 2006 lay off or the ones from recent times. Yes it is a hard time in America and Shelbyville. It is a time to pull together and not waste time on blogging in this manner.

I will not pretend to have read all of this as I don't have time to waste. NPC gifted me with 4 great years of friendships and knowledge. Yes I miss the "Pen" and its employees.

Let me close and present this thought to each of you. How many times in your life have you had a life changing event? Death? or a devistation? Please take the time to look back at that time and decide if your choices no matter how small they were effect the way you feel about that situation?

I can with a clear concenience say there have been many times in my life that when I have looked back on a life changing event I can see and clearly realize that choices I made were a contributing factor regarding the income.

TN Management Team! Keep your heads up! Great Job! My Prayers are with you! You are truly "GOOD TO GREAT"

It never amazes me what NPC does to its employees. It takes their pride and rips it right out of them. This story is one of sadness. The number of people who had lost their jobs in the 2006 layoff only to have their jobs sent overseas and now that operation is closing down. Where is the management? Management can not be run like it is now. There is no integrity, no pride no nothing. Just degrading of its workers and nothing they do is ever enough. Cuts in commission, constant negativity, when will it end. The current Management staff is made up of former employees who could not handle the stress of their jobs before, only to be brought back to run the company. What does that tell you... Bring back the management of 2005-- Greg, Mary, Andy and Gina. They rocked!!! They demanded the best out of you. You might not of agreed with it but look at yourselves and think of the money you made~~~~enough said!! obviously NPC had many issues that nobody is willing to admit or address starting with the Director and her relatives... and all other family members hired without the knowledge or experience. I say you clean house of all management staff then you will see the company succeed.

Original - NPC_Insider

That makes 3 repeats of your exact statement that has no value. Have you not come to the conclusion that no-one care what you keep saying?

NPC_Insider, Greg left the company on his own, he went to run his brother's company in Florida for personal reasons. Greg and Andy R. was the ones that hired the director's sister and father when she was a sales supervisor. Greg and Ken promoted her to a sales manager.

For everyone who thinks that jobs going overseas had to do with things after Greg left *NEWSFLASH* he setup the Manila operation, moved sales jobs there and wanted all sales functions to move there eventually!

EDUCATED, you shared the definition of Integrity with everyone but we all know anyone can paste a definition from Websters, to practice it is much harder. That BOOK you referred to should always be used in love and care, be careful how you throw around the word of God, we all know you know the scripture and have always been able to preach it but choose to not live by the word. Here is some advice from the BOOK you like to quote.

1 Peter, Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3 tell us that we must rid ourselves of slander and malice from our lips if we are to walk with Christ.

In Titus 3 Paul tells Titus to remind people to "be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men."

NPC_Insider, you slam the company you work for, long for the days of old and have nothing good to say about anyone they have in management now, and then have the nerve to ask the people you work with to pull together.....why are you still there?

If you were hired shortly after Mary Hart then you have been fortunate enough to have a long career with National Pen. Why would you choose now to bash the company, the senior leaders, the local sales management, and virtually everyone in the company when they have taken care of you for so long? The same benefit you were given a few years ago to be off with your husband you would surely be given today and you know it. That would be an allowable leave under Federal Law and National Pen would have to honor this for it's employee's.

You also said you hate the squabbling on this site yet you have taken the time and opportunity many times to speak out against the management at the company in which you work, why would you fuel the fire you claim to hate? You know you said "bring back the ledger pen already" I say to National Pen "you have a rotten apple in the bunch, get rid of it before it spoils all the rest"

ALL DOGS HAVE THEIR DAYS....WHICH EVER FOOT THE SHOE FITS, LET THEM WEAR IT. BEWARE KARMA TO THE DIRECTOR AND SUPERVISORS THEY WERE LOOKING WHEN THEY GOT EACH OF YOU O WAIT THERE WERE SOME THAT MADE IT HAPPEN