# Impending bad news, I fear **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 25, 2002, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744 "2002-07-25T12:38:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dazzling\_White\_Diamonds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/41988e/32.png) [@Dazzling\_White\_Diamonds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dazzling_White_Diamonds)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/21 "2002-07-25T17:20:29Z")
**Steve** , I sympathize with you greatly. I went through much the same experience about 5 years ago. They called the entire company into the multimedia presentation room, and then announced that the company was moving from Illinois to North Carolina. Some of us were offered moving packages and jobs in the new location - some were not. Those that were not, or those that chose not to relocate (the latter would be me) would have a chance to ‘bump’ into other positions within the corporation (the company is owned by a “ **Mother** ” corporation, which still had other operations in the same town). I didn’t relocate and didn’t “bump” anyone out of a job. I guess I just couldn’t picture causing someone else to go through what I had gone through, and if the company was doing this now, what was going to stop them from doing it again? \* Side note: they **have** done it again - and again \*. On the up side, they did give me a really nice severance package. Doesn’t make up for losing my fantastic job, tho. I don’t know why I told you all that - except to let you know that I feel for you. ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/22 "2002-07-25T18:14:02Z")
Damn Steve, sorry to hear that. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/23 "2002-07-25T19:50:42Z")
Arse!! …er, just what could they do to you if you discussed it, I mean just how much worse could it get, “…but I only said this meat was good enough for Jehovah” “Shut up! you’re only making it worse!” "How bloody much worse can it get ? they’re going to stone me to death!! “JEHOVAH JEHOVAH JEHOVAH” ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/24 "2002-07-25T20:34:26Z")
Been there. Best of luck. Hope the severence gives you a nice mini vacation. It could be worse. It could be raining. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/25 "2002-07-25T20:38:54Z")
Dammit and arse. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/26 "2002-07-25T21:29:15Z")
Aaah, feck. Steve, aren’t you gonna be at LonDope next week as well? Pint of your choice with your name on it, mate. Perhaps even two. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/27 "2002-07-26T01:04:45Z")
Good luck getting on then, **Steve** , I’m sure it will all turn out for the best. ---
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/28 "2002-07-26T06:13:52Z")
Damn, **Steve**. I’m really sorry. ☹ F\_X ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/29 "2002-07-26T06:40:35Z")
Arse! I got a ‘compulsory’ just about this time last year, which, spookily enough, was just before the Londope in Camden. We’ll get you a pint (or 12) next Saturday **Steve** , keep your chins up. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/30 "2002-07-26T07:25:24Z")
Sorry **Steve**. I guess it must be that time of year, since everyone I know has gone through a similar process at their companies. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/31 "2002-07-26T10:30:43Z")
Thanks for the good thoughts, everyone. It may not be as bad as it sounds… I’m tempted not to go for the “voluntary” package, on the grounds that a) it’s not exactly generous, and b) I don’t think I’m first in line for “compulsory” if they don’t get enough “voluntaries”. (I think I know who is… my crazed Australian boss making _absolutely sure_ she knew _exactly_ how the procedure worked was one of yesterday’s less pleasant sights…) On the other hand, I could be wrong. And, of course, there are aspects of my job I don’t particularly like (like getting the worst salary and benefits package in the civilised world and parts of Wales). This is going to require thought. Which I am not good at right now, on account of we all went down the nearest pub last night to drown our sorrows, and this morning it feels like someone is hitting my eyeballs with a mallet, from behind. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/32 "2002-07-26T11:23:09Z")
I just had an awful thought. Given that I stopped borrowing bits of your life, you don’t think I’ve accidentally given them _back_? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/33 "2002-07-26T11:46:02Z")
I think there’s enough crap in this world for everyone to have their own share… ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/34 "2002-07-26T11:52:26Z")
It’s crap but it’s also quite amazing how often these things turn out to be opportunities. Sounds like I’m witnessing don’t it ? It’s just my experience: “If that hadn’t happened, I’d have never…etc, etc”. I’m sorry it did happen but…cue Monty Python whistling. At least you get to check out the laundrette in the day time !! Best wishes. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/35 "2002-07-26T17:56:46Z")
Come to VegasDope in October, bring your entire life savings and put it on Red and spin that roulette wheel. How’s that for the worst suggestion you have heard so far! My sympathies. However, I got a great severance package from my last job that allowed me to move here to Las Vegas and put a huge downpayment on a nice new house with a pool. Trust me, things have a way of working out for the better…Kurt Vonnegut called unexpected, life-altering changes like this “dancing lessons from God.” In a very short time, you might look back and say this was the best that could have happened. If you are like me, sometimes a swift kick in the ass is exactly what you need to go out and get something better! Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/36 "2002-07-26T19:18:55Z")
So sorry, **Steve**. You should at least be thankful that they told everyone ahead of time. Where I work it’s a hell of a lot different. There will be a managers’ meeting from which everyone emerges acting all secretive, then months of rumors (I’ve posted about this before), then the rumors die down, then BAM! First thing on a Friday morning: people get canned. I knocked wood\* after I typed that. Even though I bitch about my job, I have loan payments, my rent is rather high, and I generally live beyond my means. Even though we just released a new product that’s set to blow our main competitor out of the water (they were shitting bricks when it was announced at DVExpo in NYC and had to rush to announce “vaporware\*\*”), it’s super slow now that everything’s in the can. Assuming I still have a job in September (knocking wood again), I’ll have another big project, this one all to myself, but in the meantime… I twiddle my thumbs. Best of luck. [size=1]\* I am a very superstitious person. \*\* “Vaporware” is a product a high-tech company announces that they’re “working on” but is probably only in the planning stages. And this company is going to totally flip out when we announce our next product… hehehe. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744/37 "2002-07-26T19:26:25Z")
Can a mod fix my coding? At least I used [size] instead of [sub]. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-bad-news-i-fear/120744.md?page=1)