Actions

Blue Springs data firm unexpectedly lets go of 300 local employees

Posted at 5:39 PM, Dec 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-15 19:27:29-05

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Former employees of a Blue Springs commercial real estate data firm are worried for their futures.

On Thursday, Xceligent's management told nearly 300 employees the company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and they didn't have jobs anymore.

"It was hard. You got an email that says you have 30 minutes to get your stuff and get out. And nothing will be accessible from that moment on," former employee Tracy Herring said.

The email came at the end of the day Thursday. Work email accounts and phones were shut off.

The issues stem from a legal battle with the company's rival, CoStar Group Inc., over alleged data theft.

"They didn't give us any options. They just threw us out basically," Herring said.

Herring worked closely with 17 other people and said each team was close like family.

On Friday, around 150 former employees gathered for lunch for support.

Herring said they haven't gotten paid for the week and doubts they'll get paid for any leftover vacation days.

Xceligent's parent company, DMGT, in London made the decision to dissolve.

41 Action News hasn't heard back from DMGT.