Well.... I lost my job.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Yeah. Holy crap.

I still cant beleive it - even though I was prepared, fully expecting it. It is just so big I can hardly wrap my head around it.

They are eliminating my position - I am laid off, tenative date is Dec 30.

What do I do now?

I could get a job right away doing something I hate, I could take up to 4 or 5 months on unemployment insurance and try to find something I WANT…
I could try and go back to school - provided they will pay me my benefits while I attend (they do that sometimes).

I know, I really KNOW that this is JUST a job. I would gladly trade it for my mothers health, or for anything of real importance. My job does not define me - but I really liked being the National Advertising Coordinator for 4 daily papers.

It made me feel like somebody, like I wasnt a fuckup.

I cried a little - some from fear, some for self pity, mostly for the loss of that person: Kelli, the National Advertising Coordinator… maybe it did define me just a little.

I will be ok though - I will. I am going to cash in some rsp’s and I still have the rest of december to find something else/decide about school etc…

I havent been let go from a job since 1990.

Holy shit, thats 10 years!

I dont know how to ‘not work’.

It would be nice to be home with the kids for the winter though…they could come home on the bus, no daycare…

I am spinning here. Probably shows huh.

Wow. Merry fucking Christmas.

2

I’m sorry kelli. :frowning: Good luck. :slight_smile:

3

Wow! What fuckers…why does this thing even happen during the “holiday season?”

Well, Kelli, I know you’ll bounce back. With a vengeance. You’ve got the experience to get an even better job than the one you just lost. Perhaps as the marketing coordinator for a major corporation?

Good luck! I know you’ll let us know what happens.

4

{{{{Kelli}}}} God that sucks, just like a newspaper baron to let you go at Christmas. I would ask if they had a heart, but I think we know the answer. I know you will be back on your feet soon and I’m sure that you will be the usual Kelli we know and love. I’m never gonna buy one of their papers again, those bastards. Talk to someone to help figure out what you want to do and go for it. I know you will be a success at whatever you do

Take Care

Keith

5

Very sorry to hear of your situation. I’ll save the platitudes like “when one door closes…” and crap like that. Your situation us just a plain bummer. :frowning:

Lookie what I found here- a shoulder with your name on it. And a box of Kleenex ™.

A thought. I find it helpful to feed depression a bit then let it go. I find that Oreos ™ work best. 'Specially if they’re dunked in milk (hot chocolate in winter).

6

Ouch, kelli!
Man, does their timing suck.

My husband’s last job did the same thing to him last year. All of the sudden it was “Happy New Year, you’re fired. Clean out your desk now.” No warning what so ever. I hope his current job will at least give him notice if the time comes…

I can’t offer any help except to tell you I know how much that sucks. Hang in there. Something will come along and help you find a new version of yourself, perhaps one you like even better.

Good luck.

7

First thing, Kelli, don’t worry about it; your job doesn’t define you.
Have you thought about finding a similiar position in advertising – possibly at another newspaper, a newspaper chain, a radio station or a television station? I would imagine you would be doing much the same kind of work, and maybe this place would be better.
Also consider trying to find a marketing position at another kind of business.
Do you have any kind of skills (and some capital) that would allow you to go into business for yourself?
At any rate, the best of luck to you.

8

{{{kelli}}} Good luck! I (& the rest of the departent of 50 or so) just had the same exerience (termination date 31 Dec - happy new year!) & after two weeks of the department scurrying around like a kicked over anthill, we have managed to save the department by transferring en masse into another department…problem is about half of the employees have already found better paid jobs elsewhere, so thay have lost those people/skills for ever.

I’m sure you’ll find something suitable, given time, but the shock when it happens is horrible! (and you do have some warning & can budget somewhat around Christmas, unlike some guys who were given their one week’s notice on Christmas eve (different company to me, phew! I was going to get redundancy even though I had only been there a fortnight when they made the announcement), when they have already splurged on the family & food & whatever).

Anyway, {{{{kelli}}}}, it hurts & the shock is terrible, but we care. If you want to email me cos I’ve been there recently, my mail is on the link at the bottom of the post.
Fierra.

9

We’re waiting for this same shoe to drop at hubby’s company - the powers that be just started moving plant equipment from his plant to one in another county. The Plant Manager thinks they’re about to be sold. Hubby’s been plastering monster.com and other sites with resumes… Sadly, our debt load makes both incomes necessary. Happy New Year…

We’ve survived worse - we’ll survive this… and so will you, kelli! Good luck to ya!

10

{{{{Kelli}}}}

Ouch, that hurts! Sorry this happened - what a rotten time of the year to do it too. :frowning:

Well, here’s my opinion: take the time you’ve got on unemployment to find a job you really like and spend the extra time with the kids. My mom (poor thing) has gotten laid off from 3 jobs in her life and the last time, she used the unemployment time and absolutely loved it. Time for sleepin’ in, time for crafts, time to take a few classes. Take advantage of it. I’m sure your kids would love to have you home!

But, anyway, good luck finding something new! I’ll say a little prayer for ya.

11

I’m so sorry, Kelli. That absolutely sucks. Expected or not, they’re unmitigated bastards to pull this a few weeks before Christmas.

Give yourself some breathing room to cry, cuss, let your head stop spinning, etc. Sounds facile, but I firmly believe you’ll end up in something better. You’re a bright, determined lady.

Wishing you and yours all the best,
Veb

12

Thanks guys.

I am trying not to take it too hard, I have marketable skills, I have a whole month to prepare for it too - which as was stated, is a helluva lot more than most folks get! My boss is writing me a letter of recommendation tonight, and was totally sweet about it - it wasnt his decision, and his job is probably next :frowning:

He has been asking around the company too, to see if they have anything suitable for me (what a sweeite) I found myself consoling HIM for having to lay ME off! :smiley:

I just spoke to HR, and I am stopping my income tax deductions for the rest of 2000, which will add up to a signifigant sum I will be able to finish xmas, and pay all bills up to date (maybe ahead a bit) before the layoff.

I will manage.

The newspaper I work for is one of the 4 dailies in the province, the ONLY dailies in the province, all owned by the same conglomerate… there is TV and radio in town though, and thats where I will be applying first, then to the marketing firms in the city, and I have already found some potential jobs on the provincial job placement site.

First thing tomorrow I will call about the possibility of going back to school - I would love that.

I also have to get all the prescriptions refilled as we lose my insurance - that hurts.

I have one really good lead already:
I was called for an interview at a call center for evenings, data entry… I went to the interview, explained I could not work evenings, but that I was very much interested in the company, had heard great things etc. She was giving my resume with notes to the admin dept hiring guy, I might still hear from them, they pay really good too - above the average in the area.

AND the whole corporation is woman-owned, and primarily woman-managed! They are very family friendly, and single motherhood wont be a deterrent to me being hired. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Good luck to you guys going through the same thing - booming economy my ass!

13

Sorry, Kelli. That totally sucks.

Well, I found this place in part because I was depressed by the same postings on Monster, etc, and was killing time, which I had a LOT of for the first half of the year, so unemployment can’t be ALL bad!

Best of luck, keep us posted, and you know where you can vent!

mike/drop

14

Sorry to hear it.

Some practical advice, Call your unemployment department TODAY.

Here’s why (in a few states at least, probably most)
It won’t kick in for a couple of weeks AFTER you first apply, but if you wait, you lose.

You’ve been paying into that fund for years, so don’t hesitate to use it.

They can take the info over the phone. (Have this info handy: Address, phone #, and last date worked for most recent employer, plus the usual, SSN#, etc.)

Good luck!

15

Oh kelli!!! That makes me so sad! I’m very sorry, but I’m sure you’ll be finding and working at a great new job in no time!

16

You were so nice to me when I lost my job a few weeks ago, and I’m sorry to hear you’ve jumped into my boat. The holidays are hard enough without this. Please take care of yourself, and I wish you all the best in your job search. You are a good and worthwhile person no matter what your employment status is.

Zette

17

Ah bollocks!!

Sorry to hear about it Kelli

As you say, you’ll get by, that kind of confidence is what it takes.
Now you are spoilt for choice, you can do something you always wanted, sometimes holding the same job down for year after year deadens the mind.

18

I’m really sorry to hear that, Kelli. I remember when I lost my job just about this time last year. I’ve gotten other jobs since then…even better-paying ones, with opportunity to learn new things at my new company’s expense…but I often get nostalgic for the old place. It had been a great place to work and I had accomplished a lot there.

Hang in there, Kelli. You’ll find something good soon. BEst of luck.

19

Sorry to hear this, kelli. I agree with bunnygirl, about taking advantage of the unplanned time off. But it sounds like you may be working again before too long.

I know it doesn’t help much, knowing you’re not alone, but we posted a notice today laying off 140 people next Wednesday. Well, it was supposed to be 140, but guess who can’t count? The list I typed was 10 people short. None of the managers have noticed (and the union sure isn’t going to bring it up), so I think I may have saved 10 jobs. :slight_smile: For awhile anyway. Shoot, natural attrition will even up the head count in a day or two.

Word will get around, and someone’s gonna snatch you right up.

20

Sorry to hear that you lost your job.
At least you seem to know that it’s not important.
A job is like a stray cat, that comes into your life and disappears again, after you cared for it- sad, but no longer worth losing sleep over. There will be others, you just have to believe that :slight_smile: