HAGERSTOWN, MD - Citigroup announced Monday it's planning to lay off thousands of people around the world; it's also one of the largest employers in the region. The financial services company plans to get rid of as many as 15,000 high cost jobs. It's part of a plan to change the focus outside of the United States.

Locally, Citigroup employs more than 2,600 people in Washington County. This branch is primarily a call center for the corporation dealing with customer service.

As far as layoffs, at the local branch officials say no decisions have been made.


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What the heck, are these people going to do? Is hard enough as it is, to fine a job in Hagerstown that pays a decent pay. I see it's the high cost jobs, there trying to get rid of. Figures that, the company looks out for their selves and forget the little people. No job is secure anymore.

They need to cut costs to try and help out their sorry stock price.

Just goes to show you the rich gets richer, and the poor get poorer. You can have a job today, and it can be gone tomorrow.

Do you think Citigroup should give these people a job for life?

Now I wasn't in applying they should have a job for life. I once was laid off unexpected and know to well what that feels like. That's why I said, You can have a job today, and it could be gone tomorrow. No job is secure, better to be prepare ahead of time. For what can and may happen. I know company's do what they have to do, to save their own butts from going under.

Just remember your only a number. You can always be replaced.

I dont think too many cuts will be amde here in htown as far as what Ive heard but then again I dont believe anything up here. Why should I act positive and put my trust in people or companies? So I can be shot down once again?

Mcgee, that is so true. Sure that's how the real world works. But it's still a shame though. It's because I been in that postion before, I tend to feel for people more. After all, What would you all do, if it happen to you. And you couldn't fine another job for at least 2 months. Would you be okay?

Because what we all need is one more U.S. company that gives you a barely-speaking English person whenever you call customer service.

I, for one, am sick and tired of "American" companies that farm out their work overseas. They expect us to BUY their products, but they don't want us to have the job of manufacturing the product.

You know... I usually try to buy American. But when companies do this, it makes it hard to figure out which companies really do try and keep their work in the USA, and which ones might as well be based in a foreign country.

i think we need to learn how to live on not much pay, the u.s. isnt going to have good paying jobs . its becomeing a service country, millions and millions of the good paying jobs are gone, never to return, our government is looking out for us. ask bush.

Well, let's see--Citi laid off tons back in what, 2001? I remember because I was laid off from another company and went to the illustrious Western Md Employment Whatever to see about another job & all these people were in this 'class' with me from Citi...so I guess they are due--I gather they 'clean house' every 5 years or so...

Yea right, The government is looking out for us. In our dreams maybe. As the years ago by, your can clearly see. The government is for the people, that don't even live in the U.S. With millions and millions of dollars going over seas. We as America Citizen, can't really count on the government.

Botton line is no job is secure. Then we wonder why some people are homeless. Then your told to save for retirement. With people that barely make enough to pay their bills. How you going to save for retirement. I believe that you have to be at least 70 years old to retired, to be able to get full benfits. Who in the heck is going to feel like working at 70 years old? Come on now.

Working at 70--its gonna bite. Plain & simple..some days now (in my 40's) I feel like ow & ugh..

Bottom line-no company is safe. I once worked at a place that every employee thought would never lay anyone off-heck, they bragged about it when they hired me in the HR dept...and then low & behold one day, a new CEO shows up and totally gets rid of different lines of business, throwing the employees out w/2 months pay & a thank you..next year I left..a year after I left they let go thousands--out of their 'core' businss...now they even hire out the training of their employees...

But then again, we are all free to make our own decisions...like work for the rest of our lives...years ago farmers never retired until they dropped dead...so I guess retirement is a luxury..that i'll never see.

this morning, circuit city to lay off 3,400, and will hire them back for less money after 2 months, low cost mixicans will be working there, illigal ones, why they wont close the border ill never know, the u.s. will be mixico one day , i just cant believe what our government is doing to us americans, i thought they were on our side?? there soon wont be a middle class in this country. and thats what bush is trying to do.

tagout--but if there is no middle class, then there is no class envy..the 'have v. have nots'...I think that is the goal of our govt anymore...borders? We don' nee' no stinkin' bordrs...

Yep, it's all Bush's fault.

I was talking to one of my neighbors. He said when Wildernes Trailor Company laid everyone off. They had 45min. to get there things and leave or they would be trespassing.

does any of this surprise you? what exactly are you expecting. you are nothing but whiners just like me.

looks like this is going to be the big thing now,there going to get rid of people and hire them back for less money. so look out whos next?

thats the usa so deal with it. i have friends from other countries and most have all told me the thing they and others in their country dont like america for is because america is heartless, selfish , and materialistic.

i wonder whats wrong i posted this at 427pm, my clock says 427pm it posts 327pm.

what significance is that?

Click on "My Controls" then "board settings", change your time zone or enable/disable daylight savings time.

Ohhhhh, That's a real shame. Was this done without warning? You just don't know anymore, you can be working today and not have a job tomorrow. Then people wonder why, people have a hard time paying their bills. I sure hope these folks save some money back for hard times.