View source for Challenger, Gray & Christmas

{{Multiple issues|
{{Advert|date=October 2019}}
{{Overly detailed|date=October 2019}}
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{{Infobox company
| name = Challenger, Gray & Christmas
| native_name = <!-- Company's name in home country language -->
| native_name_lang = <!-- Use ISO 639-2 code, e.g. "fr" for French. If there is more than one native name, in different languages, enter those names using {{tl|lang}}, instead. -->
| trading_name = <!-- d/b/a/, doing business as - if different from legal name above -->
| logo = Challenger, Gray & Christmas.png
| logo_caption =
| image =
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| type = Outplacement and Career Transition Services
| traded_as =
| predecessor =
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| founder = James E. Challenger
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| fate =
| area_served = North America and globally
| key_people = John A. Challenger (CEO)
| industry = {{unbulleted list|Outplacement|Executive coaching}}
| genre = <!-- Only used with media and publishing companies -->
| products =
| production =
| services = Outplacement Services, Executive Coaching
| revenue =
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| net_income =
| aum = <!-- Only used with financial services companies -->
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| homepage = {{URL|www.challengergray.com}}
| footnotes =
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| former type =
| foundation = {{Start date|1966}} in [[Chicago]], Illinois, United States
| location_city =
| location_country =
| locations = Offices throughout North America
| bodystyle =
}}
'''Challenger, Gray & Christmas''' is headquartered in [[Chicago, Illinois]], [[United States]] and is the first executive [[outplacement]] firm in the US. It has offices throughout North America. James E. Challenger<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/9/12/20861184/james-challenger-gray-christmas-founder-outplacement-downsizing-obituary|title=James Challenger, who founded Chicago firm that helped workers find their footing after layoffs, has died at 93|last=O'Donnell|first=Maureen|date=2019-09-12|website=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> is the founder of the company. The [[Society for Human Resource Management]] recognized him in 1996 as the creator and pioneer of the outplacement field.
James E. Challenger, the company's founder, spent years trying to persuade companies that it was good business to be nice to people heading involuntarily out the door.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/james-challenger-helped-create-market-for-outplacement-services-11568989800|title=James Challenger Helped Create Market for Outplacement Services|last=Hagerty|first=James R.|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=20 September 2019|access-date=2019-10-21}}</ref>
In 2003, John A. Challenger gave testimony before the [[United States House Committee on Small Business|U.S. House Committee on Small Business]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-108hhrg92655/pdf/CHRG-108hhrg92655.pdf|title=THE GLOBALIZATION OF WHITE-COLLAR JOBS: CAN AMERICA LOSE THESE JOBS AND STILL PROSPER? - HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - June 2003|last=|first=|date=June 18, 2003|website=Govinfo.gov|access-date=October 22, 2019}}</ref> on the issue of permanent job loss in a global economy. In 2002, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' invited Challenger to address the issue in a bylined article that appeared in ''The Journal'' on June 25, 2002. He served on the labor/human resource committee of [[Federal Reserve Bank of New York|The Federal Reserve Bank]] of for two three-year terms.
== Early years ==
In 1977, Challenger, Gray & Christmas was recognized among the oldest and largest [[Outplacement|outplacement firms]] in the country. The earliest major customers of Challenger, Gray & Christmas included Motorola Inc., McDonald's, United Airlines, Quaker Oats Company and Sears Roebuck & Company.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/14/archives/getting-fired-with-style-getting-fired-with-style.html|title=Getting Fired With Style|last=MacHlowitz|first=Marilyn M.|date=1977-08-14|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-10-21|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In 1961, James Challenger was dismissed from his law firm position for taking time off. In 1966, he founded the Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
He devised a training, counseling, and support program. He told UPI’s Cathy Lewandowski in 1983: “There is no such thing as total job security today. Any individual, no matter what position, should be ready to prepare a clearly defined alternative plan which can be implemented in case of termination.<nowiki>''</nowiki>
== Publications ==
"Outplacement" by James Challenger, 1994.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L598vEV_r68C|title=Outplacement|last=Challenger|first=James E.|date=1994|publisher=Challenger, Gray & Christmas, inc.|isbn=9780964148505}}</ref>
"The Challenger Guide: Job-Hunting Success for Mid-Career Professionals" by James Challenger, 2000.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kqb0t0wEQG0C|title=The Challenger Guide: Job-Hunting Success for Mid-Career Professionals|last=Challenger|first=James E.|date=June 2000|publisher=McGraw-Hill Trade|isbn=9780809298754}}</ref>
== Events and initiatives ==
Since 1985, Challenger has held a 2-day annual Career Help Hotline, also called Call-In Days.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-bz-challenger-job-help-line-20181130-story.html|title=Need job hunting advice? Call Challenger's free 'Help Line' Dec. 26-27|last=Pounds|first=Marcia Heroux|website=sun-sentinel.com|access-date=2019-10-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wgntv.com/2018/12/26/your-money-matters-looking-for-a-job-get-some-help-with-challenger-gray-christmas-career-help-hotline/|title=Your Money Matters: Looking for a job? Get some help with Challenger, Gray & Christmas' Career Help Hotline|date=2018-12-26|website=WGN-TV|access-date=2019-10-21}}</ref> Coaches give advice on:
* The job search for new college grads
* The job search for those over age 55
* Retirement
* Explaining a career gap
* Résumé writing
* Interviewing
* Switching industries
* Turning a temporary position into a permanent one
* Military to civilian job searches
* Finding a job after incarceration
The hotline does not place callers with new employers, nor can its coaches review individual résumés.
==Company goals==
The company's primary goal is to make the transition to reemployment easier for displaced workers.<ref>[http://www.globalhrnews.com/story.asp?sid=1382 John Challenger of Challenger, Gray & Christmas at Global HR] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202124945/http://www.globalhrnews.com/story.asp?sid=1382 |date=February 2, 2013 }} Accessed March 2, 2013</ref> The company states it specializes in sponsoring business benefits and services in the following areas: 1) Communication Strategy & Timing, 2) Phase Out/Shut Down 3) Community Awareness 4) Employee Retention 5) Contingency Planning, 6) Security and 7) Public Agency Involvement.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081024233318/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=30662003 Company Overview of Challenger, Gray & Christmas at Bloomberg Businessweek] Accessed March 5, 2013
</ref>
==Challenger Job Cuts Report==
[[File:Corporate job cuts.webp|thumb|Corporate job cuts]]
The media has covered the company extensively since the late-1970s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/14/archives/getting-fired-with-style-getting-fired-with-style.html|title=Getting Fired With Style|last=MacHlowitz|first=Marilyn M.|date=1977-08-14|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-10-21|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As the concept of lifetime employment started to come to an end in the 1980s and ‘90s, founder James Challenger was a critical voice in the national press on the responsibility of companies to help their former workers after a layoff. In 1993, Challenger founded the Challenger Layoff Report which publishes the number of job cuts announced by companies month-by-month.
==Exclusive research==
Challenger's research on job cut announcements by US-based employers is used by economists on the labor market.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dimartinobooth.com/the-fed-cant-help-housing-or-autos-at-this-point/|title=The Fed Can't Help Housing or Autos at This Point - Danielle DiMartino Booth – Quill Intelligence|date=2019-08-26|website=[[Danielle DiMartino Booth]] –&nbsp;Quill Intelligence|access-date=2019-10-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-job-cuts-first-half-of-2019-highest-since-2009-challenger-gray-132412917.html|title=Job cuts during the first half of the year were the highest since 2009: Challenger|website=finance.yahoo.com|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.challengergray.com/tags/job-cut-report|title=Job Cut Report|website=Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/09/us/politics/mnuchin-trump-trade-war.html|title=Mnuchin Dismisses Data Showing Trade War Pain|last=Rappeport|first=Alan|date=2019-09-09|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-10-09|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> It is regarded as an economic indicator.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wj79gd3m8cUC&q=challenger+layoff+report&pg=PA48|title=The Secrets of Economic Indicators: Hidden Clues to Future Economic Trends and Investment Opportunities|last=Baumohl|first=Bernard|date=2007-07-24|publisher=FT Press|isbn=9780132715980}}</ref>
The firm also conducts research on chief executive officer turnover.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/09/27/ceo-departures-may-be-driven-by-tight-labor-market-expert.html|title=CEO departures may be driven by tight labor market: Expert|website=www.cnbc.com|date=27 September 2019|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-09-27|title=Why There's Been an Uptick in C-Suite Departures|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2019-09-27/why-there-s-been-an-uptick-in-c-suite-departures-video|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928193107/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2019-09-27/why-there-s-been-an-uptick-in-c-suite-departures-video |archive-date=2019-09-28 |access-date=2019-10-09|website=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.challengergray.com/tags/ceo-turnover-report|title=CEO Turnover Report|website=Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/business/2019/10/17/ceo-chairmen-are-an-endangered-species|title=CEO-chairmen are an endangered species|date=2019-10-17|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=2019-10-21|issn=0013-0613}}</ref>
The firm conducts regular surveys and issues reports on the state of the economy, employment, job-seeking, layoffs and [[executive compensation]]. It conducts one-off surveys on such subjects as [[workplace bullying]], lost productivity due to the [[Super Bowl]], working women<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/sexual-harassment-at-work-is-finally-on-the-decline-now-for-the-bad-news-2019-07-18|title=Sexual harassment at work is finally on the decline — now for the bad news|last=Wellemeyer|first=James|website=MarketWatch|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> and the impact of MeToo on the workplace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a29228344/dating-work-coworker-office-romance-post-metoo/|title=Has #MeToo Canceled Office Dating Culture?|last=Evans|first=Dayna|date=2019-10-22|website=Cosmopolitan|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref>
The firm was cited by [[Fortune (magazine)|''Fortune'']] magazine in 2018 for its study on office romance in the age of [[MeToo movement|Metoo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2018/07/18/metoo-office-romance-workplace-policy/|title = Employers Are Clamping Down on the Office Romance in the #MeToo Era, but It Will Never Truly die}}</ref>
Other research includes the cost of the 2007 "March Madness" on the productivity of US businesses,<ref>[http://technology.inc.com/2007/03/01/will-march-madness-make-the-boss-block-web-use/ During NCAA basketball tournament, employers lose $1.2 billion in employee productivity] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920182629/http://technology.inc.com/2007/03/01/will-march-madness-make-the-boss-block-web-use/|date=September 20, 2011}} Accessed March 5, 2013</ref> the flat rate of hiring seasonal workers in 2011,<ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/jobs/chi-stores-holiday-season-hiring-20111021,0,2701958.story Lifted from Tribune Media Services, Jobs for seasonal workers] Accessed March 5, 2013</ref> declining rate of teen employment in 2012,<ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/wsbt-report-shows-less-teens-looking-for-jobs-20120518,0,5993667.story Report shows fewer teens looking for jobs, Chicago Tribune] Accessed March 5, 2013</ref> rising planned layoffs at the U.S. companies in 2013.<ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sns-rt-usa-economyjobs-challenger-urgentn9n0b100y-20130307,0,5789981.story Lifted from Reuters: US planned layoffs rose for 2nd month in a row in Feb says Challenger] Accessed March 4, 2013</ref> The firm was once awarded $5 million federal contract from the [[United States Navy|US Navy]]'s [[Chief of Naval Research|Chief of Naval]] Installations Milling, Tennessee, for professional, scientific and technical services.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.challengergray.com Official Website]
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[[Category:Employment agencies of the United States]]
[[Category:Market research companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Public opinion research companies in the United States]]
[[Category:Executive search firms]]
[[Category:Companies based in Chicago]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1966]]
[[Category:1966 establishments in Illinois]]