Oh god…does this “rumor queen” really enjoy feeding off of people’s nervousness that much? That comment about 3 pm was way outta line–way to make you feel a lot better, huh? She sounds really toxic.
My last job was terribly boring, and I spent most of my days on the SDMB. I’ve learned that diving into a good 6-page Great Debates thread is a great way to kill an hour or two. Good luck, scott! You’ve got a lot of people rooting for you. 
She told me that last week, actually. But yes, she can be toxic.
How do you think I manage to kill time at this job? 
I should think it obvious by now: I’m playing hard to get. (“Darling, as far as he’s concerned you’re already flat on your back and staked out.”)
Actually, I have a Yahoo email account which I rarely use. I shall have to send you that address.
Besides, they can’t sack you. [semi-private joke] Where else would they find someone who raises doing nothing to an art form? [/semi-private joke] I’m sorry, I had to say that.
You know that you’re a fabulous, wonderful person, and anything you do is alright by me. You are thin, marketable and gorgeous. You’re already depriving some worthy company of your talent as it is…
Well, I’m not saying this company isn’t worthy of my “talent,” as you put it - it’s just that it’s fucked up here.
And big boss didn’t just leave for lunch - he left for the day. How about that. :rolleyes:
Yeah, I know, I was trying to be positive and uplifting. C’mon, help me to help you.
Oooh, that sounds just plain cowardly.
I’ve got something right here you can help me with, dear. 
Oh, God, my rant is slowly turning into a flirt-fest. This always happens… but Jerevan is sooooo dreamy! ::sigh::
Back OT: big boss has to be around when people get canned. Hmmm, it’s 2:40. Wonder if the axe is gonna fall at 3 like Rumor Queen® postulated… :rolleyes:
I don’t mean to turn this into a flame war. But I did pick up on some assumptions in your earlier posts that I disagree with. Since your current situation may be instructive to others on the Board who will be in a similar situation, I’d like to post my perceptions, and we can agree or disagree from there.
IMHO, once a company has decided to go the layoff route, they’ve decided they can outsource pretty much everything and cut costs without hurting quality.
No job is safe, unless it’s directly producing revenue.
It doesn’t matter how many hours you’re billing or how good you are, if you aren’t making sales, you’re overhead.
Your manager may not be able to save you.
The decision to lay someone off is a cold, ruthless process which depends on things like salary, projected future need and a lot of stuff that isn’t personal. The actual layoff decision could be made by someone with a spreadsheet in front of them.
It’s possible that if someone with clout (i.e., someone who does bring in business) likes you and makes a case for you, you could be spared. But, as one of my clients told me the Friday before I got canned “If I have to choose between cutting your program or two of my people, then I have to cut your program.”
On the other hand, this is not the time to piss people off.
I guess this is what I picked up on most. Calling one of your co-workers a “fuckwad” and comments like "I just can’t stand your banal conversations. Plus, I don’t like to spend 45 minutes waiting for my manager to finish poking the “food” in her Lean Cuisine® around and eventually finish, so I can go back to my desk. " suggest to me that even if you aren’t making enemies at work, you aren’t exactly making friends, either.
Of course, if your manager actually were to “sneak up” and find you posting stuff like that, you probably wouldn’t find out until your next progress review – if you lasted that long.
Better to look for a job while you have a job.
Like wild animals, employers can smell weakness. Your negotiating strength the day before you lose your job is 100 times better than it is the day after.
So, sorry if I seemed to be dumpng on you. Get your resume and work samples together, start looking and good luck.
You make valid points that I agree with. They’re probably applicable to most companies. However, I must clarify one thing:
I’m not making any enemies. I’m very well-liked, not just within my group, but by everyone I work with. I get along famously with my colleagues and my manager. We’re a really fun group. I’m not some antisocial freak that no one wants to be around. I always find myself in hilarious conversations with my co-workers.
Just today my manager and I were laughing hysterically as we were going over a checking copy.
So what you said kind of stung. I was just exaggerating. I’m truly sorry that I conveyed the wrong impression earlier.
And I’m sorry if I seemed to go off on you.
Is this a first for the pit? Two posters apologizing to each other? Do the mods need to move this to another forum?
In my short time here, I’ve seen both Pit and GD threads degenerate into gay flirt-fests… 
Hey Scott,
I’ve been following your “office layoff rumor” threads. The not-knowing rollercoaster you are riding sounds rough! But I can identify. As one who has recently been laid-off (along with 20% of the company I was with), the whole process sucks, but can be survived, really!
Let me offer some helpful perspective that may help aleviate some of your anxiety.
First of all, I hope it doesn’t happen, but if you get laid off, you’ll survive! You obviously have marketable skills in design and whatnot… and like you said, you’ve never been without work. The world is not flat outside of where you are. You’ll be alright.
Second, as someone mentioned above, these things happen all the time to all kinds of employees. It is the bottom line that counts. A layoff is a tough thing for all employees to go through, even those making the decisions and the “survivors” too. For as difficult as it may be, try not to take it personally.
Third, if things are really uncertain where you are, I’d urge you to keep your eyes open for other opportunities and get whatever work samples you can (and are free) to use for a portfolio. Do this now, and keep collecting them as you go. You have to remember that one day you may not have free access to your computer or files—the IT department can disable your access in a moment.
Finally, do your job and do it well. Don’t worry too much about what might happen… and if the worse does, you’ll be free for another opportunity without the current stress you are experiencing. It may help to stop tuning in to the office gossip too.
Take care, and good luck!
TRex