Hallmark unveils "layoff cards" for the unemployed - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

FRANKLIN - In the business of selling sentiments, there's a card for everything, from traditional occasions to unique needs: cards with sound, cards for holidays, cards for losing a tooth.

But losing a job?

Yes, now there's a card for that too.

Hallmark recently rolled out a new line of layoff greeting cards. Stores have a specific section for job loss and recession humor, offering words of support and encouragement. With the unemployment rate at nine percent, the company says customers called-in the need.

One card reads "Don't think of it as losing your job. Think of it as a time out between stupid bosses."

"Yeah, I mean, that would be clever to give to someone," said Linda Ralph, Martinsville. "It would have to depend on the person and their situation."

"That's a good idea," said Amanda Smith, Indianapolis. "There's a lot of people out of work. I have to say they'd sell more in Indiana than anywhere else, absolutely."

"I'm not sure that I would do that. I don't know. I think I'd do more to help them find a job than remind them they don't have one," said Mishcell Johnson, Indianapolis.

"Very good idea," said Rose Dick, Greenwood. "I think it'd be sellable. It's the truth."

But what about people on the receiving end of these cards? Will the messages really go over well with folks in the unemployment line?

Employees at Work One in Franklin work with the unemployed every day. They say the layoff cards are a good idea.

"Getting a card like that and somebody caring is fabulous," said Michelle Crowthers-Lunczynski. "The crazy part to think about this is there's so many people laid off. At least someone's caring enough to you know, get a card and say, 'I'm thinking of you'."

"I think it's neat that there is a card there that can say what needs to be said in a situation like that, because sometimes it's just hard to find the words," added Work One employee Avril Fisher.

"It is sad, though. I mean, it just really...but one in ten people you could be mailing it to, absolutely," Smith said.

The messages reflecting current culture, customers say, are perhaps just a sign of the times. Local Hallmark stores say the cards are selling well. In fact, they're getting a shipment of four new styles next week.