Fingers crossed

notfarnow · 11-06-2008, 05:18 PM

Things were a bit wacky at work late last week. Couldn't quite put my finger on it, but by the end of the week there were weekly meetings being canceled a week out.

On Monday an important project we were about to kick off got postponed with no real explanation. At the end of the day, I bumped into the receptionist for the executive floor, crying in the elevator. Laid off. Classy, to do that right at 430 so she could see as many people as possible as they left for the day.

On Tuesday morning the rumors were flying... 300 heads, 500 heads, all management, in the next two weeks. Then by Wednesday we were hearing names. Some early retirements being forced out, some good folks being cut for head count in various departments.

Generally work from home on Fridays, but at 415 or so my boss emailed me and asked if I was going to be in the office tomorrow. Wasn't planning on it, I told him. He said that we should all be in the office.

I've bet a coworker a good bottle of scotch that I will be given an exciting opportunity tomorrow.

This is the third time I've sat through these in 2 years. This time around I'm not sure which outcome to keep my fingers crossed for. Could be a great time to give Real Estate a crack.

onlycafe · 11-06-2008, 05:20 PM

best of luck to you, either way.

mattdavis11 · 11-06-2008, 05:22 PM

I hope it goes well for you, Jake.

livi · 11-06-2008, 05:23 PM

Jake, I am "holding my thumbs" as we say in Sweden.

targa911S · 11-06-2008, 05:28 PM

Jake I'm sorry to hear this. I live in the rust belt and times are very shakey here as well. Glad I retired or I would have been forced out myself. I just sensed it was time to go. Oldest guy on the sales force, making too much money. 6 mos. later my two co workers who had more time in than me were set out to pasture. Best of luck and keep us posted.

notfarnow · 11-06-2008, 05:34 PM

Thanks guys

After the last round, I promised myself I'd set myself up so I wouldn't be torn up if this happens. I have some feelers out and I think I can get rolling pretty quickly if I do get shown the door.

So basically, I refuse to get worked up about it. There are far worse things in the world and I will be fine either way. Just glad my wife has been away for 2 weeks, this stuff would have her up all night.

rammstein · 11-06-2008, 05:51 PM

Every single company I have worked for, and every single company that my wife has worked for, has had layoffs while we were there. I think for old-timers these are really rough times, because I guess 25 years ago layoffs were rare. Its honestly just the status quo for us young-uns (although at nearly 30 I am starting to feel ancient).

Just make sure you get all of your digital files copied onto disks, and have your resume ready, and then just work.

They had layoffs last week at my company and I didn't even know, because I don't bother with the lunchroom gossip circle. I found out while I was pooping and the guy in the stall next to me told me. Nothing you can do about it.

targa911S · 11-06-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notfarnow

Thanks guys

After the last round, I promised myself I'd set myself up so I wouldn't be torn up if this happens. I have some feelers out and I think I can get rolling pretty quickly if I do get shown the door.

So basically, I refuse to get worked up about it. There are far worse things in the world and I will be fine either way. Just glad my wife has been away for 2 weeks, this stuff would have her up all night.

Good attitude. Maintain brother.

Hugh R · 11-06-2008, 06:19 PM

Good luck bro

notfarnow · 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rammstein

Just make sure you get all of your digital files copied onto disks, and have your resume ready, and then just work.

Burning my CDs as I type this, just in case. Resume ready to go.

I have a couple backup plans ready, some of which could take a while to get rolling but rumors are that the severance package isn't bad so I could float for a while

Funny coincidence is that one of the feelers I put out was to a provincial afternoon radio show, looking to do some freelance stuff. I start a weekly "car column" there tomorrow

Quote:

Originally Posted by rammstein

They had layoffs last week at my company and I didn't even know, because I don't bother with the lunchroom gossip circle. I found out while I was pooping and the guy in the stall next to me told me.

People always talking $chit!

Quote:

Originally Posted by targa911S

Good attitude. Maintain brother.

Thanks! A quick scan of PPOT shows that there are far larger battles in life. "My 4yr old has cancer" sure puts things in perspective and keeps the melodrama to a minimum.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by notfarnow

Just glad my wife has been away for 2 weeks, this stuff would have her up all night.

You're a prince. Things will work out for you, no matter what happens.

KFC911 · 11-07-2008, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notfarnow

...So basically, I refuse to get worked up about it. There are far worse things in the world and I will be fine either way. Just glad my wife has been away for 2 weeks, this stuff would have her up all night.

Good luck Jake, you've got a great attitude and will be just fine. I've seen more of this that I care to think about over my IT career, and although it absolutely sucked to see co-workers cope with it, invariably they ended up OK when the dust settled. My dept. was "outsourced" a few months ago...I'm happier than I've been in years (in that regard)

. Be well...

oldE · 11-07-2008, 03:04 AM

Jake,

Hang in there, my Friend!

I have to say when I got my (8 month) notice of termination years ago, I had no idea what I was going to do. It turns out the answer was:"Anything you find interesting!"

Good luck either way.

Les

Porsche_monkey · 11-07-2008, 04:23 AM

Didn't you once say you worked for 'the mother ship'? Three letters? Only show that matters is on Saturday night?

I was going to add my condalances but I'm sure you are still better off than me, so i will accept your sympathy for me with thanks.

(With more time available you could add curb feelers and bush bars to a Cavelier for Mrs NFN. And a baby seat.)

widgeon13 · 11-07-2008, 06:06 AM

Good luck!

legion · 11-07-2008, 06:21 AM

This is the part of the business cycle where some companies shoot themselves in the foot, some shoot themselves in the head, some find new opportunites, and some lean out just enough to get by.

Unfortunately, most layoffs are not done intelligently.

Maybe it's our PC culture, or the fact that the people that make layoff decisions are usually several layers removed from the people they are firing, but the arbitrary standards applied to who gets the ax often end up damaging a company more than helping it.

In 1999 Lucent Technologies missed their quarterly earnings targets. Management took quick, decisive action. They fired all of their senior engineers to cut costs. There ended Lucent's high-flying days. All of their experience and business knowledge walked out the door and they were left with just a few fresh-out-of-college engineers to do the work. They shot themselves in the head.

M.D. Holloway · 11-07-2008, 06:56 AM

let me know if you wanna pitch lube in Canada! I have connections...

scottmandue · 11-07-2008, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

let me know if you wanna pitch lube in Canada! I have connections...

OH THE POSABILITIES!

Ahem... I will restrain myself.

Best of luck to you Jake, as others have said your are a good guy and I am sure things will work out for you.

Sarc · 11-07-2008, 10:11 AM

Good luck to you Jake.

I went through the exact same scenario a month ago, and had the same attitude towards the situation. Working for a firm that does Retail Architecture and who refuses to dabble in other forms, even when handed the opportunity, I knew it was a matter of time.

I literally finished my exit preparations the day before the cut; so after HR was done with the 15 of us in the boardroom, I stood up, handed her my key, said thanks for everything, and walked out the front door. It was a great feeling fueled by I suspect my growing contempt for the place the last few months. I never felt so liberated ( I gues having a few rainy day $$$ tucked away contributed to that feeling)

I have the resumes out and a few favors called into a couple headhunters, but Michigan is Michigan afterall, so I need to create other options. I've been working hard on 'hiring' myself by launching my own consultancy out of my home studio. The money is tight, but I think we'll get there.

Just keep moving.......

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Good luck Jake - I gotta believe with all the good deposits you have in the Karma bank that good things will happen to you - either way.