Laid off. Again.

[William]

So, I'm unemployed again, for the second time within twelve months. For the same reason, too. "Your position has been eliminated". This comes on the heels of a great employee review, which I am taking on good faith-to my knowledge nobody was complaining about me, nor had I unduly insulted anyone. Unfortunately I find it hard to not take this personally. There were two other people on my team, one of whom started a couple of months later than me, one of whom doesn't really like her job. Last time, my position was eliminated, and since I was the only one, I didn't question it. Not knowing why my number came up (we all have the same job title) just makes me angry. Was it because I'm the only male coordinator? Am I too old? Was I getting paid that much more than the other two (I doubt this)? Did all the other coordinators vote me off the island because they hated me? Did I really stink at my job?

Got called into the boss' office about five minutes after sitting down at my desk. Can't say I didn't see it coming-people have been treating me differently for a couple of weeks now. The RVP would still say hello to me but I don't think he ever fully met my eyes. Other managers would say hi but not much else-one actually looked at me square in the eyes yesterday and walked right past to chat amiably to someone two desks over. And other employees have been eyeing me strangely for a few days too-it was quite clear that something was up and that it involved me.

That's probably what makes me angriest. That people (other than the boss) apparently knew before me.

-Wm.

 

[Gliderman8]

Sorry Wm..... I feel your pain. I am also in the same "unemployed club". Good reviews etc. Now is no time to be angry... you need to concentrate on finding another job.
Good luck!

 

[DrEntropy]

My take is that we all have a set of unique skills and abilities.

I've been in meetings where the "head" made the statement: "EVERYBODY is replaceable!" :madder:

What was ~NOT~ said is: "At what cost to your bottom line?!?"


Time to quote Marie Antoinette!!!

Or Ayn Rand...

I've walked out saying: "Hope y'all figger it out. I gotta go now."

...but I'm such an arrogant SOB. :smirk:


Let 'em founder.

 

[Tinster]

Wow, William- a bummer- I'm so sad for you.

My best fishing pal lost his job yesterday, another pal
lost his entire business last friday, I've had no design contracts since Thanksgiving, another pal owns 3 Subway
stores is just getting by and one friend had to let 1et 10% of his 170 employees go; Another buddy's wife just lost her job at Wal*Mart. Another pals wife worked for an an airline for 20+ years and they let her go with $20K buyout after taxes.

I have never in my 60 years see such a horrific economy.
And our investment broker came to dinner last night and informed us we were near broke with the market and housing collapse. He DID bring a bottle of good wine.

Grim times, grim times.

Best of luck finding a new job.

dale

 

[sail]

Bummer. Good luck looking, usually when you least expect it comes. Ruff times out there. I was laid off after 22 years Thanksgiving. Good thing is after a buyout in 02 I have hated it. Bad thing is they could have done it in the spring.

 

[GregW]

I've been in meetings where the "head" made the statement: "EVERYBODY is replaceable!" :madder:

Just curious Doc, was he including himself in that statement?

 

[GregW]

Sorry to here about your situation William. I've grown a little callus to it since I have to look for a new job every 2-6 months.

 

[drooartz]

Sorry to hear the news, William. Tough times out there. Good luck getting on to the next situation, and may it be a better one.

 

[AweMan]

Wishin` you the best William. Hopin` you`ll find a place you can hang until you get a decent retirement.
It took me a while to find my nitch in life as far as employer goes but did finally manage and did finally get to the retirement stage.
Just let me say I feel your pain ..... Been there done all of that too.
I`v been sent packing a few times because of my inherent lack of socializing skills {I always tell the bosses how it is not how they wanted to hear it} On job sites i`m pretty much a loner and rogue { I do things my way but I always "get er done"} It would seem some employers would rather have socializers than productivity for employees. Their loss not mine and I always found better places to be.

Keep yer chin up you will find something much better than what you had i`m sure.

 

[terriphill]

So sorry to hear about your job. My husband came in yesterday and told me his company had just laid off almost 1000 employees nationwide. Two locally. Its a scary time for us all.

 

[tony barnhill]

Sorry to hear, William....you planning on staying in the Chicago area or doing a nationwide job search?

I think this is a good time to be retired!

 

[Gliderman8]

Tony... as I said above, I am in the same situation.... the thought of being retired is not appealing to me. But I realize that it may be an option for others.
For me the hardest part is not being out of work, but rather the process of securing a job... i have to laugh to myself at times when I am interviewed by a twenty-something and I am 57. Can't help but think the grey hair does not help.
I noticed a job listed the other day. Under the requirements it said:
"Experience: Min= 6 years Max= 10 years"
Obviously, it was a company outside of the US.
Sometimes I feel like a tire removed from a car with lots of tread still left on it!

 

[Steve_S]

Really sorry to hear about this, William. I know it's hard, but I wouldn't take it too personally considering the economy being the way it is. Look at the great depression where people were literally fighting each other for jobs, and if you didn't perform at the top of the class, you'd get fired.

I know of a job about to open up, but unfortunately it's way out west. Maybe one of our British car fiends of the BCF who is closer to you will hear about something in your area. Best of luck!

 

[DNK]

Did I miss something.
Is that Dale??

Sorry about the job William. I have a horrible boss.Wouldn't wish him on anybody. Wish they would fire him.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Oh yea, never mind,I'm self employed.

 

[vagt6]

Sorry about that, William.

I'm painfully aware that it could happen to me practically anytime. It sucks to be at the whim of a bunch of career bureaucrats (experts at self-preservation).

Keep the head up, and the corners of your mouth up, too. It really works.

Keep us posted, and best of luck to you.

 

[DrEntropy]

I've been in meetings where the "head" made the statement: "EVERYBODY is replaceable!" :madder:

Just curious Doc, was he including himself in that statement?

This guy was a career bureaucrat... I doubt he was (including himself).

 

[GeeBee1]

Sorry to hear William, it is tough everywhere.

Where I work, I know usually know before they do, unless its me. It is very hard to work with people when you know that they will soon be gone and just want to tell them to start looking.

Best of luck with your search.

Pat

 

[TR6oldtimer]

A former employee of mine was let go at 52, that was last October. While he has early retirement benefits, it is only enough to cover house payments and insurance. He was really worried about his prospects. It took him a couple of months to stop blaming his former employer and he started in earnest to look for work. But after an unsuccessfully job search in his career path, he finally turned to his other skill sets and now works for himself doing part time and contract work. When last I spoke with him, he is as happy as I have ever seen him.

A mentor of mine once said, "Challenges are just opportunities in disguise." Good luck to you.

 

[jackq]

Guess I should feel guilty for turning work away..some areas are geeting hurt worse than others. We're kinda safe due to a large military presence..and the railroad is doing fair...not great but still afloat. Good luck in your case.

 

[Silverghost]

William, send me your resume if you want. I'll get it to the powers that be here.