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My first lay off

zon6c-f

zon6c-f

Jun 9, 2007
2,782
1,676
72
Metro Atlanta, Ga.
#1
long story short and long rant to follow

I’ve had 2 jobs in 44 years; 40 year career, 2 year hiatus 2 years with consulting firm then unexpectedly laid off

I was devoted to my company and program I was assigned to

Told me I was one of best employees with best attitude ( so you laid Me and only me off?)

I asked 3 ways-3 times what did I do wrong or how did I cause this? Was told nothing personal ... just budget shortfall

I am a person They’ve affected my livelihood for a bogus reason as management is taking a business junket to Barcelona soon

Replacing an appliance isn’t personal

Laying off an employee IS personal to that employee

Heart broken livid angry bitter with no recourse to argue my point and stay

I greeted every day and co workers cheerfully as I Got to go to work. Left angry sad and bitter Full of rage that I’ve never felt before

If you can make ME angry you’ve done something major

I have a reputation for being a gregarious team working nice guy who enjoyed coming in each day

I’ll be 65 next month with some college or I’d just take it as character building All but one on that Program is younger by some years than I am . I never exhuded being elderly. I play bass I rock I go to loud concerts

I need to work several more years as my first career although obviously steady wasn’t lucrative to where I don’t need to work; no raises last 10 years of that career and high fuel costs in 2014

Couldn’t afford to sit on porch so instead of relaxing I spent most of 2 years searching and finding job I just had

Economy is booming so I have hopes of a return but now I’ll go from a level of comfort to level of discomfort until I’m hired again

They hurt my wallet and inadvertently my wife so I am doubly pissed

Kinda like your big first heartbreak with It isn’t you it’s me excuse

Came unexpectedly with no prior or known issues. They claim it’s budget

So I lose my job... me and only me... because an administrator mismanaged program budget? My salary won’t keep program afloat for a day

I got “railroaded” for lack of better term ( my dad retired from Rail so I get to use that term )

Now forced to take medicare A&B or face penalties so low I have another bill I can’t afford A is free / worthless B will cost me over $100 mo

Ok your stories and suggestions
 
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#3
I feel for you, I was laid off after 20 years in a large corporation. I worked my way up to high level management and was always well thought of by my bosses. I handed promotions on a silver plater while others had to bite, kick and scratch for them). Then came a young HR generalist with a new HR manager who announced that they would be replacing old management with new. But I still thought they loved me. Then Boom Baby! What a shock. I spent all of my 401K, mortaged my home to the hilt and started a motorcycle busines...one year before the economy took a crap. Then went bankrupt. Started back in the corporate world in 2009 working as a supervisor on the graveyard shift. New president decided that the military no longer needed as many night vision equipment so graveyard went away. So as a low senority high paid supervisor my job went away too. For the last several years I have been a night shift supervisor in the manufacturing of military helicopter parts making fairly good money, just trying to last another year so I can retire (on very little).
 
#4
juancaminos said:
I feel for you, I was laid off after 20 years in a large corporation. I worked my way up to high level management and was always well thought of by my bosses. I handed promotions on a silver plater while others had to bite, kick and scratch for them). Then came a young HR generalist with a new HR manager who announced that they would be replacing old management with new. But I still thought they loved me. Then Boom Baby! What a shock. I spent all of my 401K, mortaged my home to the hilt and started a motorcycle busines...one year before the economy took a crap. Then went bankrupt. Started back in the corporate world in 2009 working as a supervisor on the graveyard shift. New president decided that the military no longer needed as many night vision equipment so graveyard went away. So as a low senority high paid supervisor my job went away too. For the last several years I have been a night shift supervisor in the manufacturing of military helicopter parts making fairly good money, just trying to last another year so I can retire (on very little).
Click to expand...

Edit: Yes I am still angry and bitter. I feel they used up the best years of my life and believe me I gave all. But what are we to do? I haver a great wife and still have a lot of stuff left over from the good money days. Just managed to buy our retirement home in the trees. It's been a real struggle but life does go on.
 
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#6
Bummer for sure. I worked in electronics for 45 years and
faced lay offs all the time. Private sector SUCKS.
After 22 years we all got laid off,company moved to Europe.
Talked to HR to see if they would give me references for another division.
Thier answer www.raytheon.com. That was a blow off.
Good luck. You can retire and enjoy a few years with no BS.
 
#7
Sorry man. That sucks.

Focusing your anger and disappointment at the company will never be productive. Companies have internal politics and infighting and cliques. Lay-off decisions are not always logical or fair.

Put that part of this in your rear view mirror and keep moving forward.
 
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#9
Alkali Ike said:
Sorry man. That sucks.

Focusing your anger and disappointment at the company will never be productive. Companies have internal politics and infighting and cliques. Lay-off decisions are not always logical or fair.

Put that part of this in your rear view mirror and keep moving forward.
Click to expand...
I’m trying bro. Today has been better emotionally I was a wreck yesterday and awoke dreaming about it with tears
 
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#10
zon6c-f said:
I’m trying bro. Today has been better emotionally I was a wreck yesterday and awoke dreamjng about it with tears
Click to expand...

I’ve been there. It can be traumatizing.

Correction: It was traumatizing.

Hang in there!

EDIT: Avoid burning your bridges. Maybe they’ll need your expertise as a contractor or consultant. It happens.
 
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#11
MrLenny1 said:
Bummer for sure. I worked in electronics for 45 years and
faced lay offs all the time. Private sector SUCKS.
After 22 years we all got laid off,company moved to Europe.
Talked to HR to see if they would give me references for another division.
Thier answer www.raytheon.com. That was a blow off.
Good luck. You can retire and enjoy a few years with no BS.
Click to expand...

Holding off Soc Sec until age 70 if possible ; least penalties

I still have eyes & ears in Program so I will be asking what the Real reason was

Oh Corp bosses said Clients decision not theirs so I said I don’t work fir Program I work fir Corp but no work for me So..

Asked “client “ Program director. Gave me same BS. Nothing personal ( I love that one) So I asked him “So you’re telling me an Administrator blew the budget so I have to lose my job? Turned and walked away

Client is City. Mayor doesn’t know me so they pour water in my ear to make me think it’s raining
Alkali Ike said:
I’ve been there. It can be traumatizing.

Correction: It was traumatizing.

Hang in there!
Click to expand...
juancaminos said:
I feel for you, I was laid off after 20 years in a large corporation. I worked my way up to high level management and was always well thought of by my bosses. I handed promotions on a silver plater while others had to bite, kick and scratch for them). Then came a young HR generalist with a new HR manager who announced that they would be replacing old management with new. But I still thought they loved me. Then Boom Baby! What a shock. I spent all of my 401K, mortaged my home to the hilt and started a motorcycle busines...one year before the economy took a crap. Then went bankrupt. Started back in the corporate world in 2009 working as a supervisor on the graveyard shift. New president decided that the military no longer needed as many night vision equipment so graveyard went away. So as a low senority high paid supervisor my job went away too. For the last several years I have been a night shift supervisor in the manufacturing of military helicopter parts making fairly good money, just trying to last another year so I can retire (on very little).
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
#12
zon6c-f said:
long story short and long rant to follow

I’ve had 2 jobs in 44 years; 40 year career, 2 year hiatus 2 years with consulting firm then unexpectedly laid off

I was devoted to my company and program I was assigned to

Told me I was one of best employees with best attitude ( so you laid Me and only me off?)

I asked 3 ways-3 times what did I do wrong or how did I cause this? Was told nothing personal ... just budget shortfall

I am a person They’ve affected my livelihood for a bogus reason as management is taking a business junket to Barcelona soon

Replacing an appliance isn’t personal

Laying off an employee IS personal to that employee

Heart broken livid angry bitter with no recourse to argue my point and stay

I greeted every day and co workers cheerfully as I Got to go to work. Left angry sad and bitter Full of rage that I’ve never felt before

If you can make ME angry you’ve done something major

I have a reputation for being a gregarious team working nice guy who enjoyed coming in each day

I’ll be 65 next month with some college or I’d just take it as character building All but one on that Program is younger by some years than I am . I never exhuded being elderly. I play bass I rock I go to loud concerts

I need to work several more years as my first career although obviously steady wasn’t lucrative to where I don’t need to work; no raises last 10 years of that career and high fuel costs in 2014

Couldn’t afford to sit on porch so instead of relaxing I spent most of 2 years searching and finding job I just had

Economy is booming so I have hopes of a return but now I’ll go from a level of comfort to level of discomfort until I’m hired again

They hurt my wallet and inadvertently my wife so I am doubly pissed

Kinda like your big first heartbreak with It isn’t you it’s me excuse

Came unexpectedly with no prior or known issues. They claim it’s budget

So I lose my job... me and only me... because an administrator mismanaged program budget? My salary won’t keep program afloat for a day

I got “railroaded” for lack of better term ( my dad retired from Rail so I get to use that term )

Now forced to take medicare A&B or face penalties so low I have another bill I can’t afford A is free / worthless B will cost me over $100 mo

Ok your stories and suggestions
Click to expand...
 
#13

And to tell whole truth I was notified 9/4 and given rest of month to work/ seek employment And 2 weeks severance which is more generous than kicking me to curb w/ no notice

Of course my supervisor ( Weasel)
wasn’t the one to tell me nor his boss another weasel ; although they All knew before I did
 
#15
It sucks. Was given a Golden Handshake by a major print media company. The HR official, corporate not my local office, said they could get someone younger and cheaper. I was pissed but got over it. Rage against the machine but in the end they are the machine and you are you.

I was a bit younger than you but not much. I tried to get on with another print media, a mistake that costs me months that could have been spent elsewhere.

I think back now and I should have tried something entirely new. I looked at Trader Joe’s and CostCo and my then wife poopooed the idea as too blue collar. It would have been great for me to have a job doing anything. I didn’t take these retail jobs and the forced time off wore on me and our marriage.

I think it’s more important to find a useful purpose, even if it’s not career oriented than to sit and stew about things. You might try helping kids learn music, driving vets to hospitals with a service org, delivering food to shut ins, etc. This may be transitional or lead to something permanent. Or try anything that suits you.

Good luck. Get out and exercise that anger out. Watch your diet and think about your life, not the A$$holes that cut you loose.
 
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#17
StyleOverShow said:
It sucks. Was given a Golden Handshake by a major print media company. The HR official, corporate not my local office, said they could get someone younger and cheaper. I was pissed but got over it. Rage against the machine but in the end they are the machine and you are you.

I was a bit younger than you but not much. I tried to get on with another print media, a mistake that costs me months that could have been spent elsewhere.

I think back now and I should have tried something entirely new. I looked at Trader Joe’s and CostCo and my then wife poopooed the idea as too blue collar. It would have been great for me to have a job doing anything. I didn’t take these retail jobs and the forced time off wore on me and our marriage.

I think it’s more important to find a useful purpose, even if it’s not career oriented than to sit and stew about things. You might try helping kids learn music, driving vets to hospitals with a service org, delivering food to shut ins, etc. This may be transitional or lead to something permanent. Or try anything that suits you.

Good luck. Get out and exercise that anger out. Watch your diet and think about your life, not the A$$holes that cut you loose.
Click to expand...


All great advice!

Just before I got that job ... I couldn’t even get bag boy stocker job Over Qualified
 
#19
I say love your work because how you work says something about you. Do not love your employer, whether corporate for government because institutions were usually there before you and will be there after you. They have a life of their own and everyone at a corporation is disposable. Just ask Elon Musk.
 
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