Well, life certainly has a way of kicking you in the teeth. First, I got Cancer and now I was just laid-off from work. After 8 years and being the most senior person in my department, they canned me. I was supervised while I cleared out my desk and I wasn't allowed to go back onto my computer. Boy are they gonna be shocked when they go through my personal folder and find a bunch of images of half dressed Vickies that I hadn't finished clothing. That company is on its last legs anyway. They went from $8M in billing down to just $1.5M in 3 years. This year really sucks for me. C'est la vie

I can only wish you good luck, i know the feeling when it happens, and it actually was some kind of turningpoint for me and i am now better off than i was 2 years ago.

You have cancer and they sacked you? Over here that would be illegal! Sorry about your troubles. Here's hoping life gets better for you. I had the same when I got crippled. They made me redundant. I'd only been there 6 months so I couldn't take them on in court. What's the comapny e-mail? We could maybe swamp them!!!!!

Think of it this way.....you cant get any lower so the only way left is up and i wish all the best in the future.....trust me, life cant get lower!

The part that really sucks is when you don't expect it. I wake smiling everyday and Offer "Me".....If they don't accept my offer, That's their Loss!! "SHWING"!! Onward and Upward!!

Worst part about having an upper level position, when your company is hurting, they always start cutting the people who earn the larger wages, and who they THINK they can do without. (happened to my girlfriend) Sorry to hear that life is slapping you around, like...bigtime. Of course, I hope ALL turns about for you, and always feel free to come in here and vent out. :o/ AS

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Sometimes good things come from bad times. Maybe something completely unlooked for will come your way. Some philosopher once said "The true measure of a man comes in triumph and adversity and how he meets both of those imposters". Steady as you go.

@ RoberJ: Thanks, that's very encouraging. Its not the first time for me either. But it is the first time with three other mouths to feed.

@ Bryster: I love your humour. I wish I had you as a friend here.

@ marcfx: Sorry to disagree. I've been much lower. I can deal with this. But thanks for the encouragment

@ AS: If I was being paid larger wages, I'd hate to think what the other poor saps were gettin'. The thing about my former company is that the longer you're there, the more responsibilities they heap on you without added compensation.

@ sackrat: I love that quote. Very inspirational. Thank you.

What's the British Navy motto?

"Ready Aye Ready!"

My family name is Johnston. Last time I was in Scotland I looked up the Johnston family crest (yeah OK I'm part Irish but hey we North Americans cling to any kind of heritage), tartan and motto at the Scottish Heritage museum.

Motto: "Never Unprepared".

The thing is I've had a feeling this was going to happen. The company hasn't been doing well and has lost over $6.5M in revenue over the last 3 years. So, I've been going over this scenario in my head for some time. Psychologically, I'm prepared. I wasn't shocked, just surprised it was me. I helped build that company (no EXAGGERATION, not in clientele mind you, but in procedures, policies and organization).

Thank you all. I'm going to have to cut back on a few things. But I've made it clear to my wife that the broadband connection is off limits. So, I'll be sticking around.

I have 6 months severance. Anyone have a tut out there for finding a new career.

(Edited for spelling).

Message edited on: 10/27/2005 18:34

remember as long as there is life there is hope. dont give up. fight them bastards.

Message edited on: 10/27/2005 19:28

Sorry to hear, I don't much know what things are like in the real career world yet, but the suckage of that is overwhelming. Keep hoping and hanging in there, things will look up.

Sorry to hear about the spot your in Bandolin. All will work in your favor and you'll move to fight another day. I know where you're at. Although, I won't be the only one losing my job.......love technology, hate what it's done to the music industry, although the industry should have seen it coming. I work in music retail, and at the end of December we're closing down after 31 years, and as much as I would love to just find a new career tomorrow, it's kind of tough when your in-laws are also your employer...so I have to ride it out to the end whether I want to or not. The worst predicament is they feel they can't run the store properly unless I happen to be there, since I instituted quite a lot of their day to day protocol and operations over the years.....damn the loyalty...lol. Good luck and hang tough.

I heard an amazing quote on tv from a US citizen just after one of those hurricanes. He said, "Of course we're gonna rebuild. We never quit!"

man..been there, done that, just not at the same time.
First, network..check around, maybe with your contractors, relatives, friends, etc. and see if there's a possibility of them knowing someone who knows someone who can see where there's a vacancy.
2nd, not sure on your organization, but maybe another division or branch could use you. Also, usually severance plans have training options (school, etc) that you can take up. Keeping busy will do you good.
3rd, once you've had a few weeks (hopefully not, but from what I hear nowadays), think long term; are you happy with what you used to do? Is it time to try something you've always wanted to? What makes you happy? This can be a luxury for some (hey, bills gotta be paid), but sometimes you can make lemonade out of lemens
4th, get your finances in order. The severance is nice, but better to have it and not need it..most folks are sensible enough not to indulge, but new business attire, resume service (evidently they're like fads, the resume I got hired with wouldn't get me squat now..;), job search skills (also change like fashion), etc. Don't rely too much on things like M**ster.com, or things like that; some places hold that against you, especially if you make that your primary source of job searching. Pay the bills on time and in full (nowadays, they check your credit scores when you want to be hired, because it's so easy and cheap to do) if at all possible.
Hope I don't come off as too imperious or something, but I read the business sections every day, and this is a synopses of what I see. Hope I've done some good.

Im always sorry to hear news like this, hurricanes not with standing. Being a Unionist from a long line of Unionists and advocate for fair labor practices this kind of situation always gets my grit and is often associated with unfair practices. First, if the company is truly in financial trouble its workers will always hurt. Even if the company goes into bankruptcy, they (the courts) always decide that all creditors will be paid off first from the selling of all company assets and what is left-over, if anything, is then split amongst the workers. This often comes out to something like 50 cents on the dollar on the remainder (with no benefit coverage even if you had it before). Ive seen this many times. So ultimately, you cant sue a company thats going bankrupt. Companies are considered collective entities and therefore no one person can be sued individually within the company. The fact then that you have a cancer has no relevance in the matter. It is assumed that you can find another job, albeit not a same paying job. You are given no special status in that respect, unfortunately.

Of course there are other matters to be concerned aboutfirst and foremost is your age. Although most people are living out their lives in one form or other, they seldom realize their age is important until when all of a sudden the company theyre working for decides to downsize. Everyone knows that hiring an inexperienced 20 some odd year old fresh out of college or university student is cheaper and more virulent (productive) than paying off an older person with many years more experience but who are becoming a dent on company profits. This is not to mention the natural physical impediments that face these older workers as they age.

I dont know your age but you sound like a relatively young person but this is something, especially people of younger ages, need to remember: no job in todays market is safe. They (the bosses, corporate types) have doing away with job security and the next step is to take away all benefits.

You should not be allowed to educate and dress your children and provide medical benefits for your family because they feel you are an insignificant part of their money making machine, you are only hired to make them wealthy and workers are a dime a dozen. Workers are divided amongst themselves and they are at each at each others throat for a job. They will backstab each other for a job and they (the bosses) know this. You are an indentured but paid servant-slave to their ultimate coals. The sooner you realize this, the better off you will be. It means, that if you wish to be unaffected by this social calamity, you should also start thinking of your owning your own propriety. Thats the only way to certify your income and well being in a capitalistic society. But we must always remembereven bosses will need people to push the broom.

Although this may be a most unsettling experience to you, and I dont know what your expertise is, you have no choice but to accept the outcome of this cooperate decision and go pass this and find a place where youll be most comfortable. I can understand questions of: Will I get a comparable paying job? Will I be able to get good benefits for my family? But most importantly: How long will this next job last?

I wish you all the best my friend and hope that your children will have food on the table when all is said and done. My best wishes to you and your family.

Quest

Just thought you could use some hugs. It might take a while, but something good will come your way. Like someone earlier said, if there's a way to take classes and keep busy, do it. Ang

Big hugs from me too, bandolin. Chin up, guy! :)

Dunno what to say bandolin ole mate. But keep your chin up, never stop fighting, and kick fate in the teeth! Just remember you can't keep a good man down. A platitude maybe, but nonetheless true for all that. Wish you all the best.

That's really crap. But now you can find a better company.

Thanks for all the encouragement. :-)

Hugs and best wishes. Maybe this is how you quit your day job and do what you really want to.

DAMN!!!!! That really sucks Bandolin.
Hugs to you. It is their loss.
However, you are in a position to do yourself one better now.
Somethings good come from the times we think are the worst sometimes.
My prayers are with you man. BTW.... We will always be here if you need to just let off some steam. 8)

Just remember that the harder it rains, the closer our Father will hold you. He will help you through this. Seek and you shall find. That said I feel for you. You have lots of friends here. Willie