Kill the Euphemism (From Harpers Magazine)

I think it's time to kill the euphemism. This little blurb, published in Harpers Magazine, is a testament to just how far we've stretched the euphemism.

Can you hear me now?

From a November press release by the telecommunications company Nokia Siemens Networks.

Nokia Siemens Networks has completed the preliminary planning process to identify the proposed remaining headcount reductions necessary to reach its previously announced synergy-related headcount-adjustment goal. To date, the company has achieved an adjustment of more than 6,000 employees and continues to expect a total synergy-related adjustment of approximately 9,000 employ ees. “With the successful completion of these plans,” said CEO Simon Beresford-Wylie, “we can start to put this chapter of our history behind us and focus on creating a world-class company.” The proposed headcount adjustments are a result of merger-related synergies, including changes to the product portfolio, site optimization, streamlining of various functions, and strategic long-term R&D and workforce balancing designed to build a competitive Nokia Siemens Networks. Bosco Novak, head of human resources, said, “It is our goal to engage constructively with employee representatives to quickly and fairly achieve these needed changes so we are able to remove the ongoing uncertainty that our employees have about synergy-related headcount reductions.”

A little commentary on this from Torah:

Proverbs, 12:18-19
“There is blunt talk like the thrusts of a sword,
But the speech of the wise is healing.
Truthful speech abides forever,
A lying tongue but for a moment.”