Story Outline

Laid Off Workers Giving Back to Community From a news story by CNN San Francisco Reporter James Hattori September 28, 2001

I. The high-tech economy has taken a "downturn".

A. Cisco Systems eliminated 6,000 jobs last April.
B. That was a reduction of 15 % of its workforce.

II. The company offered its employees a special exit package.

A. Employees were offered one-third of their regular salary plus benefits for one year.
B. Employees would volunteer their services in community non-profit organizations.

III. About eighty Cisco workers took the offer.

A. Patrick Lehner now works on inventory data programs at Second Harvest, a food bank.
B. Tam Do now works at Inn Vision, which provides services to the homeless.

 

---

© 1999-2001 Cable News Network, Inc.
Literacyworks
Western/Pacific LINCS
All Rights Reserved