AM I NEXT? THE HANDWRITING IS ON THE WALL At HASBRO TOYS

Boston, Massachusetts-based Hasbro, the world’s largest toy company, has announced plans to move its corporate headquarters from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to Boston, Massachusetts, by the end of 2026. The company will permanently close its offices in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The headquarters relocation will impact up to 587 employees who have been given an ultimatum: relocate or be laid off.

According to a company statement, "As part of Hasbro’s previously announced relocation of Rhode Island-based roles to our new corporate headquarters in Boston, we issued a WARN notice to Rhode Island employees. This notice does not represent a new announcement or layoff notice. We communicated the move to employees on September 1, 2025, and have been providing support throughout the transition."

“Because the company is unable to confirm at this time which employees will accept the relocation offer, this notice is being provided to all affected employees out of an abundance of caution.”

The company has not indicated how many employees will accept the offer. Employees who decline relocation will see their employment terminated between December 14, 2026, and December 28, 2026.

Employees are expected to report to the new location on January 4, 2027, and will be in the office three days a week.

Change is constant, and it's coming. Tomorrow will always come, no matter how much you try to ignore it. Life offers no guarantees, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you wondering, "Am I Next?"

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT FUNKO (07/29/2023)

JULY 29, 2023 — 12% - 13% OF THE WORKFORCE TARGETED

According to an SEC filing…

On July 27, 2023, Funko, Inc. implemented a reduction in force expected to involve approximately 180-200 employees, representing approximately 12-13% of the Company’s workforce. This action is part of the Company’s initiatives to re-balance its cost structure into prioritized areas that the Company believes will drive long-term growth and improve margins. As the Company focuses on these goals, it is consolidating functions and eliminating or reducing investment in areas of lower focus.

April 21, 2022 — Original post…

Everett, Washington-based Funko, a manufacturer of toys and licensed and limited pop culture collectibles, including action figures and bobbleheads, announced the consolidation of its global distribution, including two distribution warehouses in Everett, Washington, and one in Puyallup, Washington to a 958,000-square-foot warehouse facility in Buckeye, Arizona.

The relocation will impact 258 employees commencing on June 9, 2022.

According to Funko CEO Andrew Perlmutter, "The consolidation of several warehouses to one single facility will better improve our customer experience and maximize growth opportunities as our business scales."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?