Some Integrity employees 'very optimistic,' others worried

Several employees of a Cape Girardeau call center that likely will lay off 400 people in September on Thursday said the company is providing workers flexibility in scheduling and other help to find new jobs.

The news still is causing plenty of angst for many employees, who worry about their chances of finding new jobs with hundreds of their co-workers being thrown into the job-hunt mix all at once.

Integrity Solution Services, formerly National Asset Recovery Services, will lay off more than 400 workers at its Cape Girardeau call center Sept. 10 because of the loss of a client, Charter Communications, unless another client can be found.

Some employees said the company is flexible and is helping them find other means of work. Stacy Spradling, vice president of human resources, said the company will host job fairs in the next 10 to 15 days, along with resume classes, writing classes, mock interviews and other services. Spradling said the 400-plus employees are a good, hardworking group and Integrity Solution Services will search for employers who have openings for laid-off workers. The company plans to help set up employees with large and small companies in the area and involve local career centers and the Department of Economic Development. The department offers employment transition teams to help laid-off employees and provide training for new jobs. Training can be customized depending on the type of skills in which employers are interested.

Integrity notified employees 60 days in advance of the layoff, in accordance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. The company also is offering pay and benefits to support associates at the center, per the law's requirements, according to a news release.

Many employees stood outside the building Thursday, calling family and friends, sharing the news, mingling and talking about immediate plans with co-workers.

David Dillow has worked at Integrity Solution Services for five years.

"It's a shame," he said. "It's been a great place to work. It hits everybody hard. We're like a family here. But we're all very optimistic."

He'll be waiting there as long as he can, in case the company finds another client.

"I'll be looking out for me, but I'm hopeful they'll find something," he said.

Pauline Smith has been a call taker for almost three years, and said she loves her job.

"The company is providing us with other means of possible employment, assisting us in any way they possibly can," she said. Like Dillow, Smith said she has faith in the company.

"It's good employment," she said. "I am going to stay with the company and see what does transpire between now and the end of our days."

Emily Gantt, who has worked as a call taker there for over a year, said she plans to hunt for another job as soon as possible.

"I'm kind of worried," she said. "That's a lot of people looking for a job. If necessary, I would go to St. Louis if I had to, but my family's here. I'd like to stay."

She said the company is doing the best it can under the circumstances. Talking with fellow employees, they agreed they knew being laid off is possible, but it hit home now.

"When it happens, it's different," Gantt said. "It's real."

Brandy Martinez-Lafentres is not happy. Sept. 10, the likely last day for the employees, will mark exactly 11 months of her working there. She said she's irate.

"It's kind of nerve-wracking, honestly," she said. "There's like, 500 people trying to get a job in Cape Girardeau. It's going to be impossible."

She said it wasn't the easiest job, but she'd stick with the company if a new client came through. She also will take advantage of job fairs the company will host.

Martinez-Lafentres said the employees all knew it was coming.

Spradling said employees' reactions to news of the closure were mixed but very professional.

"We haven't been hiring in a while, and the people who work here have seen the call volume decline," she said. "They may have had some insight."

Mayor Harry Rediger received the news this morning.

"My personal, greatest concern, and our city's greatest concern, are the people that are involved and their loss of employment," he said. "All companies have various trends on employment, and these things come and go, but this is a major one for us with 400 people. We'll be looking to do what we can to secure interviews and employment with any and all of those people who need it."

Rediger said the city will work with training and employment agencies, both state and local, to help people find new employment.

botto@semissourian.com

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2102 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO