Well, I’ve been laid off as part of an RIF. I was starting to get suspicious when everyone else got their new business cards, and I haven’t. To be honest, I was thinking about looking for a new job a few weeks ago. But I’m still pissed.
The way our company is managed, I have to go around to project managers, trying to find a project that I can work on that fits into my schedule. My supervisor is supposed to help fill the gaps. From Jan '01 when I started, to May '02 when he left, he found 3 days of work for me. Since May, I haven’t really had a sup, as we’ve been restructuring as a result of bankruptcy/buyout. So, since I had trouble finding work, I had a lot of ‘unbillable’ or overhead charges (I probably could have billed to big projects that wouldn’t have noticed a few hours extra, but I didn’t). Result- my name came to the top of the list for this round of reductions. So, because of our poor utilization practices, I’m out of a job. But they could have given me a week’s notice. At least they gave me 3 weeks severance. And I was thinking about getting a new job anyway.
That’s A bummer Great Dave, I just went through it the last couple o’ months too. Bakruptcy, restructure, rehired, buy-out, and like you I got severance out of it, but still. I’ve enjoyed the time off, and only in the last week started seriously looking. Keep your spirits up. Good Luck.
I’m so sorry to hear that Great Dave. My last day on the job is next Tuesday so I’m right along there with ya’. Only there’s no such thing as severance pay for me.
We tend to think of this economic system as a meritocracy and take unemployment as a badge of shame. Don’t do that!!
There are dozens of reasons but let me mention just a few:
Ulysses S. Grant was removed from his command of the Army of Tennessee, then came back to win the war as the head of all Union armies. Grant’s problem: a jealous superior.
At one company I joined, we took sales from $15M to $27M in two years, then I was fired. Now, 10 years later, sales are under $15M.
Many in the computer business (such as Microsoft executives) extol the ability of Hollywood to bring talented people together for specific projects, pay them well, then disband a year later. They believe that it’s the future of the American economy.
In the 70’s one would be criticized for changing jobs more than once every 5 years; by the late 80’s I had puzzled people asking, “Why did you spend 11 years with one company?” The life cycles of jobs are shorter.
Americans typically change professions at least twice during their lifetimes.
Great Dave, having got the news of my layoff 3 weeks ago today, you’ve got my full sympathies! I haven’t got any advice that you’ve already been given, but I can spare a hug or 3.
Hey there, Great Dave - you know, getting laid off sounds like a right royal pain in the ass. I’ll echo what other people said - don’t take it personally. Now, finding another job is something on your task list. It’s something you have to do, it’s water you have to wade through. More than anything, job searching is like dumping a task in your lap that you’d rather not do - but it gets done and then it doesn’t seem quite so bad.
Dude, what the hell am I trying to say…I’m sorry you got dealt a pain in the ass. It isn’t about you and some other company out there needs you. Go get 'em!