Just when everyone at my company (well, me at any rate) thought the worst was over, and it was safe to relax, a new round of layoffs. And my immediate supervisor gave me fair warning that I was one of the people being let go. So, I am as of this moment (Wed. Oct. 28, 10:35am) sitting in my cubicle, my stuff packed up, waiting for the department head to call me in for the final axe.
So this is what a death row inmate feels like at 11:45pm.
Well, OK, maybe it’s not THAT bad, but sitting around waiting to hear bad news you already know about sucks the big one.
To be honest, I am not very surprised. I work for a magazine, which is a dying industry. This is only the latest in an ongoing series of layoffs all year long, and part of me is surprised I lasted as long as I did. In fact, the thing I’m most upset about is not being more pro-active about looking for another job. For the last six months it’s been in the back of my mind “This job is winding down. Better get your resume out there.” I want to kick myself for not doing what I knew I should be doing.
On the other hand, even though I knew it was coming…I didn’t expect it. Know what I mean?
So far, everyone I know who’s been let go has gotten a decent severance package. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, and saying the Serenity Prayer.
My condolences. It’s happened to me twice in recent years (and I avoided another case by quitting first). It doesn’t get any easier.
Try to keep optimistic, keep a good attitude, update your resume, and get out there. Just think of all the screw-ups you know who have jobs, and, knowing you’re better than them, realize that you’ll get another.
What kind of insurance do you have? Do you have any health need? My spouse got an elective hysterectomy under the companies fine insurance plan and they had to give her a medical leave of about 25 days postponing the termination by about a month.
Good luck to you. By the way, it’s best to take your packed-up stuff out to your car before the axe falls. Many companies have security escort the fired person to the door with no chance to gather his stuff. Survivors may loot your cubicle before you are allowed to retrieve your stuff.
When I was let go just a little over a year ago they let me take my stuff, but they searched it. Now, mind you, I had known for over a month that the axe was coming… had I wanted to steal stuff, it would have been home *long *before the last day.
I didn’t mean stealing. One guy I knew was ushered out, and two weeks later when they told him he could come get the box of his stuff, his favorite sweater and his iPod were gone.
Make sure you get copies of all your necessary personal files from your computer and from company email. And get your co-workers contact info so you can hit 'em up on Linkedin.com. Never hesitate to ask for a letter of reference from your boss.
<Chris Rock> Supaman was laid off. Supa Man was laid off! Can you belee dat Sht? Supaman! Laid off! Can’t one a you greedy job-havin’ mutha fkas give Supaman a damn job?</cr>
Of course I didn’t think you meant that *he *should steal - I was talking about *my *situation.
See, from my post I said that they didn’t prevent me from taking my stuff, but they *searched *it. This lead me to believe that they thought I might be stealing stuff. And thus lead to the comment that had I wanted to steal, it would have already been done. Why else would they search my stuff, except to see if I had taken stuff?
