AOL: We need to fire Some of You, Any Volunteers?

 

The recent AOL news reminds me of the harsh economic conditions portrayed in Charles Dicken's famous novel Hard Times. News is that AOL is exercising a volunteer employee-lay off program, in which the company plans to lay off 2,500 of its total staff.

 

This would mean, that AOL wants its employees to come forward, and tell them, “I’m interested to get fired, Sir.”

 

By reducing its employee staff by 2,500, AOL aims to reduce its annual operating expenses by $300 million. The company also plans to sell its ICQ messaging service and MapQuest, the online Driving Direction Map. Seems like AOL is under very Hard Times. Is it due to economy downturn or AOL stars are not auspicious? Whichever the case may be, I wish AOL a good luck!