rockpile Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Last Monday when I got to work, I was called in to see my supervisor. Turns out that to ring in the new year, corporate decided to shed a few pounds. So my department of eight is now a department of two, and I am no longer employed. I am in no immediate need, which means I am blessed. But, for the first time in almost 27 years with the same company, I got up in the morning on a work day and had no place to go. It was not a real surprise. We knew that the day would come when the revenues generated by our group would not justify keeping us. Business is cold and it was a business decision - good for the stockholders anyway. My wife has been very supportive, but I am in the way since she runs a home daycare. Luckily my son lives near us and he set up a workstation for me so that I can update (well, actually create) my resume, search for jobs, register for unemployment, and all the other things you have to do when you get "released". Luckily again, my wife was able to put me on her insurance beginning the day my current policy expires - no transition pains. Also, I will get 20 weeks severance and 4 weeks vacation, so I really am "on salary" until mid-June. So, I get up every day, get ready for work, and go to my office at my son's house instead of work. I am starting to adjust to the new rules, but it is more than a little scary. Tomorrow I start sending out resumes. If the environment is right, there is a LOT I can do. If the environment is wrong there is a lot I can no longer do. No jobs with fire drills. No "Devil Wears Prada" scenarios. I do not tolerate stupidity real well anymore. But, like I said, if the terms are right I have a LOT to offer, so I will play my hand as it has been dealt. That has worked for over five decades so it must be a good way to manage the cards. Just sharing with you - do not feel sorry for me. I am one of the luckiest bastids ever born. I expect good to come of this, so I will get what I deserve. "You load sixteen tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt. Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go; I owe my soul to the company store... " Merle Travis
cåblelady Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Just sharing with you - do not feel sorry for me. I am one of the luckiest bastids ever born. I expect good to come of this, so I will get what I deserve. It will, my friend. Believe and Billieve.
Just Jack Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 I am in no immediate need, which means I am blessed. But, for the first time in almost 27 years with the same company, I got up in the morning on a work day and had no place to go. Go to Nick's and drown your sorrows in a Garbage Plate. Or ask if they're hiring. Then let us get your employee discount on plates.
erynthered Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 No hill, for a climber. regards. Erynthered
Ramius Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Last Monday when I got to work, I was called in to see my supervisor. Turns out that to ring in the new year, corporate decided to shed a few pounds. So my department of eight is now a department of two, and I am no longer employed. I am in no immediate need, which means I am blessed. But, for the first time in almost 27 years with the same company, I got up in the morning on a work day and had no place to go. It was not a real surprise. We knew that the day would come when the revenues generated by our group would not justify keeping us. Business is cold and it was a business decision - good for the stockholders anyway. My wife has been very supportive, but I am in the way since she runs a home daycare. Luckily my son lives near us and he set up a workstation for me so that I can update (well, actually create) my resume, search for jobs, register for unemployment, and all the other things you have to do when you get "released". Luckily again, my wife was able to put me on her insurance beginning the day my current policy expires - no transition pains. Also, I will get 20 weeks severance and 4 weeks vacation, so I really am "on salary" until mid-June. So, I get up every day, get ready for work, and go to my office at my son's house instead of work. I am starting to adjust to the new rules, but it is more than a little scary. Tomorrow I start sending out resumes. If the environment is right, there is a LOT I can do. If the environment is wrong there is a lot I can no longer do. No jobs with fire drills. No "Devil Wears Prada" scenarios. I do not tolerate stupidity real well anymore. But, like I said, if the terms are right I have a LOT to offer, so I will play my hand as it has been dealt. That has worked for over five decades so it must be a good way to manage the cards. Just sharing with you - do not feel sorry for me. I am one of the luckiest bastids ever born. I expect good to come of this, so I will get what I deserve. "You load sixteen tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt. Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go; I owe my soul to the company store... " Merle Travis good luck rock! if you decide oyu want a graduate degree in bio-med engineering, send your resume to me and i'll forward it to my boss. we're always looking for new people in the lab. the stipend isnt great, at about 20K a year, but the FSU football is good, and we can always use more people in our bills backers!
/dev/null Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 A friend of mine got laid off a year or so ago and had the last laugh. After he had found a new job his new boss wrote a nice letter of praise on company stationary and mailed it to his old boss thanking them for laying him off
Fezmid Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 A friend of mine got laid off a year or so ago and had the last laugh. After he had found a new job his new boss wrote a nice letter of praise on company stationary and mailed it to his old boss thanking them for laying him off That's an awesome story! Rock - good luck, but I'm sure you'll do fine. Maybe you'll totally luck out and find a job in a few weeks, thus collecting TWO paychecks for a few months! There's been a few resume threads on here lately, so if you want extra sets of eyes to help you out, we'd be more than happy to help CW
HopsGuy Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Last Monday when I got to work, I was called in to see my supervisor. Turns out that to ring in the new year, corporate decided to shed a few pounds. So my department of eight is now a department of two, and I am no longer employed. I've got a good feeling Tom. You'll be fine. Change stinks at first, but... wait a second... you're the sage in this conversation. You know all this. Just know we've all got a good thought for you.
bills_fan Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Hey Rock, ever considered doing some type of consulting work? You've obviously been in a business for a long time (not sure what business), but with your medical covered and being paid thru June, now may be a decent time to try something on your own. Just a thought. Best of luck.
Bungee Jumper Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Last Monday when I got to work, I was called in to see my supervisor. Turns out that to ring in the new year, corporate decided to shed a few pounds. So my department of eight is now a department of two, and I am no longer employed. I am in no immediate need, which means I am blessed. But, for the first time in almost 27 years with the same company, I got up in the morning on a work day and had no place to go. It was not a real surprise. We knew that the day would come when the revenues generated by our group would not justify keeping us. Business is cold and it was a business decision - good for the stockholders anyway. My wife has been very supportive, but I am in the way since she runs a home daycare. Luckily my son lives near us and he set up a workstation for me so that I can update (well, actually create) my resume, search for jobs, register for unemployment, and all the other things you have to do when you get "released". Luckily again, my wife was able to put me on her insurance beginning the day my current policy expires - no transition pains. Also, I will get 20 weeks severance and 4 weeks vacation, so I really am "on salary" until mid-June. So, I get up every day, get ready for work, and go to my office at my son's house instead of work. I am starting to adjust to the new rules, but it is more than a little scary. Tomorrow I start sending out resumes. If the environment is right, there is a LOT I can do. If the environment is wrong there is a lot I can no longer do. No jobs with fire drills. No "Devil Wears Prada" scenarios. I do not tolerate stupidity real well anymore. But, like I said, if the terms are right I have a LOT to offer, so I will play my hand as it has been dealt. That has worked for over five decades so it must be a good way to manage the cards. Just sharing with you - do not feel sorry for me. I am one of the luckiest bastids ever born. I expect good to come of this, so I will get what I deserve. "You load sixteen tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt. Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go; I owe my soul to the company store... " Merle Travis I hear the Cowboys are hiring...
RayFinkle Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Not giving any type of warning is very unprofessional. I have been "re-engineered" out of a job twice due to cut backs and outsourcing. Gotta keep the stock holders happy. Luckily both times I was able to land a better position within the same company while collecting a stay bonus from my previous position. I has actually worked out well for me. I know that someday my number will be up though, unless you are "senior management" you always run into the possibility of being "re-engineered".
rockpile Posted January 25, 2007 Author Posted January 25, 2007 Not giving any type of warning is very unprofessional. I have been "re-engineered" out of a job twice due to cut backs and outsourcing. Gotta keep the stock holders happy. Luckily both times I was able to land a better position within the same company while collecting a stay bonus from my previous position. I has actually worked out well for me. I know that someday my number will be up though, unless you are "senior management" you always run into the possibility of being "re-engineered". To be fair, our department went from 65 to 12 people several years back. I knew this day was eventually coming - just did not have the date. Coulda been 6 weeks or 6 years! I survived almost a decade of down-sizing. I have no complaint. Sent out two resumes today.
bartshan-83 Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Good luck, Rock! Must be crazy to step into a whole new world in a matter of speaking (new routine, uncertainty, etc.) but I bet it's probably a little exciting too. Sounds like you have the perfect attitude as well. Hope everything works out great.
erynthered Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 Sent out two resumes today. I received your resume, today. I'll get back to you soon. Are you good at stomping Grapes?
mead107 Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 good luck to you . when do you start stomping grapes ?
Bill from NYC Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 Good luck Brother. Things will get better.
stevewin Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 Rock - this will be my 21st year w/ the same company - I've been through my share of 'downsizing' programs over that time and know how stressful that alone can be. I give you tons of credit for your positive outlook and attitude. I know plenty of fellow co-workers over the years who have gotten laid off and ended up on their feet - many no doubt in better shape than if they had stayed. Keep the faith and best of luck.
buckeyemike Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 Good luck, Rock. What happened to him is the major reason why I'm self-employed. Law firms in this area have also been downsizing recently.
IDBillzFan Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 You need to start your own gig, Rock. Not sure how. But you need to start your own gig. Good luck. Your attitude, as always, is outstanding.
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