Well, out of the blue, got called into the office and told my job is over.
I will work until the end of the month, get a small severance package (six weeks pay, plus unused vacation and personal days) and they will pay for COBRA for those additional six weeks as well.
I know it was nothing personal - they had to let go of several other employees nationwide as well. They are keeping my co-worker, the bitch on wheels, simply because she has more seniority - although I think the other employees will be unhappy to hear that.
Still - quite a shock.
Mortgage, health insurance for SO and I, regular bills, etc. Lots going through my mind now.
Not exactly a “spring chicken”, so finding a job might be a challenge…
They let me go home early today, but will go back to work tomorrow and finish out the month…meaning this week and up through Wednesday of next week and then - done.
Oh geez, sorry to hear that. I’ve seen it happen here, too. We used to be a 14 person office. Now we are essentially 2. I know business is business, but when you see someone let go right before they were going to have knee surgery, well…
Very sorry. Sometimes things like this are a gift. I won’t say from God in case you’re an atheist. But my friend lost her job, and it turned out to be the best thing, as she was able to stay home with her autistic son, who she and her husband had just gotten full custody of from the loser mother. He is doing so much better in such a short amount of time. The father works so they are doing fine financially.
I will also say, sometimes they are not a gift. My ex lost his job 2 years ago and as a result, I’ve had to take him back in.
I hope your situation is closer to the former.
Oh, damn, I am sorry to hear that, DMark. That well and truly sucks. I hope you can take a little bit of time and figure some things out and not panic too much (and that something good comes up for you in not too long a time).
At least they are professional enough to give you a chance to pack up, and finish-up. Most places are so paranoid nowadays they have someone pack your office while you sit with the boss, then security hands you the box and walks you out, never to be seen again.
Their loss; I know you for a talented and intelligent individual who has a lot to offer. Wishing you every possible ounce of luck as you look for something new, and may the search be shorter than you imagined.
The best of luck to you. This is a way better time to be looking for work than back in 2009, so there’s that going for you. You may get a far better job than your current one.
Welcome to the club! We had been promised a job until the end of the year as there are contractual obligations to support a system. I was in my car on the way to an interview last Wed afternoon when I got a call that Thurs would be my last day.
It’s always good to walk into in interview in shock & panic, right? :rolleyes:
I went to grandboss; now I’m ‘on vacation’ this week & ‘working’ next week so at least I get healthcare for the month of Aug.
Having luxury of time to provide context,.perhaps it will turn into a better offer elsewhere. But this “blessing in disguise” phrase is a dangerous one to offer someone who has lost a job (or suffered any kind of painful loss). I’ve become offended by hearing this, and althouh I know the person means well, it reduces trust. Most people just want a sincere expression of empathy, coupled with perhaps the reasonable offer of assistance that the relationship boundaries can provide (not even thinking financial assistance). A sturdy shoulder, hook-up to a friend of a friend who knows an HR manager, happy hour, etc.
Don’t mean to derail, and know people always search for meaningful things they can say. Perhaps OP feels differently, but in my experience, people suffering a loss (athiest or no) want more to be heard and understood than offered the pot of gold at end of rainbow speech.
OP, I hope things work out for you and your family.
How true…much easier to say “good things will come” when you are giving advice than getting it. I am more concerned about the nuts and bolts of paying bills and keeping health insurance…but at this early stage of the game (just found out a few hours ago) I do have to just take a breath and hope for the best.
Happened to me twice. Both times I found a job much better, in pay, benefits and satisfaction. The key is to network. I applied for a position in alternative energy with a company I dealt with, only to find out a previous boss’s boss worked for the corp - he intercepted my resume and hired me elsewhere. I had no idea he worked there.
The first time, I had totally forgotten I had applied for and interviewed for a job that paid more than twice as much. They interviewed me several times, then nothing for weeks. And, it was the only time I had applied and interviewed during my 4 years at the place that laid me and 4 others off.
Literally as I was packing my stuff, my phone rang one last time (before cell phones). I debated answering it. It was the other place, asking when I could start. I lied and told them I needed two weeks (clever). The bogey: Had I not been canned, I would not have gotten the severance pay. It was all I could do to not laugh on the way out.
Getting canned gives you the freedom to find the real nice career you really wanted.
Network. And even when you get hired, keep checking indeed.com for even better positions.
Email people in positions to hire or recommend you at least once a month. Join user group mtgs similar to your field - and forget the worthless gov agencies.
Consider a contract or contract for hire position. Pay is more, no bennies - so you will have to pay your own.
Better yet, become a 10-99 self employed contract person - why pay 35% to an agency? Just become an LLC contract firm. I knew someone that did that, then started hiring others in similar situations to work alongside them.
Agreed. I’ve found that things usually do happen for a reason, and things often work out better in the long run, but when someone has just had a shock to the system it is not the time to try to tell them that. It’s just the time for tea and sympathy right now (I’d make you some tea if I was in Vegas, DMark ).
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