Would you survive a layoff

Well Fed I am in a line of work that rarely would lay off and in a supervisory position to boot.I always network with other companies just in case of needing to swap companies.I know it would be tough at home if it ever came up.

Thanks for the quick reply cajun, I am really concerned about her, she has a wonderful personality. She is very professional, however, she lacks a great deal of the crossover skills. Companies here rarely hire the personal greeters anymore, they want you to be able to operate a computer proficiently, greet and meet. This is my fear, that she will have trouble finding employment. She doesn't have the admin or the clerical skills. I am just praying that something comes along quickly, fortuneatly we are in the employement finding business, hopefully we can get her something soon. She is a great lady.

Fortuneatly for me, I don't have a whole lot of competition in my job, and my job is so broad, I carry two titles and have two funding sources. My supervisor is about to retire, I am always asked will I go for his job. I seriously weigh out, what funding sources go into each position. I look at job security, not the pay check. My boss's position has one source, where mine has two. Their were others like me in the surrounding counties, however by 6/29,they will both have retired. I will have to jump in and handle it till someone else is hired. I think security wise, I would be better off staying righ where I am.

You do off shore drilling right? Cajun, I commend you for that job, not many would do it. Dangerous work, being away from family for long periods of time. My husband works in the oilfield, but his feet are on the ground. He has worked it for over 25 years. Here's to ya, becareful out there.

Well, I went through a lay off this year that was totally unexpected. Last year, my former employer merged with another company. Needless to say, the merger went bad and we lost a lot of customers in our area. Now these were two great companies with great people on both sides. At first I was excited about the merger because I thought it would be great and business would be booming. Unfortunately, the merger was planned poorly by higher management and they ran when times got tough. And believe me it was a living hell for many months. We we working overtime, trying to keep customers happy with barely any product on site, mainly spending time smoothing things over.

In November of last year, I had to reapply for the same position I had been doing for years. I had been in management for years. This was because another office person came over from the other company and had many years in as well. She technically had more time in that me. So this cut like a knife but I swallowed my pride and went through the process. We both even had to re-interview, the whole nine yards. We actually got even closer during this time.

I began looking for a different job and I was offered a position that was closer to home. Now, this is the ironic part. I was told this the same day my former employer told me I would be staying on. I let them know I had a different job offer and I was seriously considering it.

So, the next day at work I get called into the office. They basically promise me the moon to stay. This was during the time my mom was sick and was about to have surgery. This was a big factor in my decision because I could not start a new job and take a bunch of time off. With my former employer, I could do that. So, I believe their lies one more time and decided to stay. Two months later, I was called into the office and told the office duties were being consolidated with another location and I was no longer needed. I was floored, devastated, and angry all at the same time.

Since then I have learned that this was a blessing in disguise for me. I do have so many office skills, etc. I live in a small community where finding a decent paying job is like finding a needle in a haystack. I was working through a temp agency until the company I was working for found out I was sick. A few days later I was told I was no longer needed when I thought this was a temp to hire position. So, it's been a rough road but I'm going to focus on getting better and doing my online course. Hopefully, I will be working from home and not having to worry about the commuting, etc. So, yes, I believe just about anyone can be laid off anymore. I learned a valuable and hard lesson through this process.

Fed, I would tell your co-worker to file for unemployment ASAP. I did and received it within a few weeks of my layoff. It wasn't as much as I used to bring home but it was a big help. They also have resources to help someone find a job. They have listings that aren't listed anywhere else. Unfortunately, here is it mostly in the bigger cities but there are still some around. Do you guys offer any computer training? I know the employment agency I went through did offer computer training on different software programs. I knew most of them but Access but I have learned that as a new skill.

Fortunately, we are the place that finds employment for people, I just feel bad for her, but I am one to look at things optimistically. We actually have other agencies in our company, her paycheck came from one of the others, not the one that I work for. Their was a big personality clash between her and a few of the other girls. She is a hard worker, where the others take 6 smoke breaks every morn, (we counted one day), take personal calls all day long, etc, etc. I know she feels her hard work was all for nothing. I am trying to be supportive and I will look for her other employment. I would recommend her in a heart beat.

Tommorro, one of the other girls get the axe, I just pray it isn't another one that works real hard. I hope their boss is looking at productivity of the case management vs his friendship. He left on friday and left them hanging on who was next, what a jerk, they have had to worry all weekend. He is NOT real professional, he is a nice guy, don't get me wrong, he was promoted into the position, so these are his friends, he knew this was coming and should have had his choice narrowed down.

Honestly, it is normal for her to feel this way. It's rough going through something like this. I guess you have to go through the grief process. Believe me, I went through all kinds of emotions. I too felt like all my work was for nothing. That will pass and hopefully she will be abel to find something better. This is a hard decision for anyone to make. I just hope he bases it on merit and not friendship.

I will keep your friend in my prayers. :)

I got the ax about 6 weeks ago from one company whose business fell off, they paid me until the end of the pay period and gave me a bonus check for the work I did during the time I worked there (not very long) luckily for me (or so I thought) I found a new job at higher pay within 10 days. Well they trained me on their systems, I was always on time, did not instigate crap in the office of anything and they laid me off telling me they didn't think it was working out AFTER only 3 WEEKS.

Will I survive, YOU BET I have been through worse things, will karma affect that business and those JERKS you BET IT will, did I put a curse on them YOU BET I DID. Did I file unemployment on them so their insurance rates will go up, YOU BET YOUR BIPPY I did, will I survive, YUP! My life is not my job and I will not pass from this earth wishing I had worked more, my accomplishment in life is asleep in the other room right now.

Guest,

That's a great way to look at things. My ex-employer paid the day after I was laid off. They lost three big customers because I was no longer there. I treated my customers like gold! :)

Fedup-I know how your friend feels-been there,done that!! I was "laid off" due to Federal and state budget cuts, and I am an "older" person. :lol: I,too, worked where layoffs were rare, and not only was I a supervisor, I opened and ran an office by myself handling 6 counties for them, plus Dept. of Corrections! I am not saying this to brag, but to say, it's possible for anyone to loose a job, and no, I was not prepared. After 14 years,I felt comfortable, but it happened. I was given one week notice. Did I survive? You bet! Things got really tough, but we made it. Also in the process, I found this site, paid off all my debts, except the LVNV thing,without it! It can be done, but now I think I probably would have tried to save some money along the way! Your friend is in my prayers..KAren

Karen,

Thank you for sharing that with us. It just shows us that life happens and good can come out of just about any situation :)

Thanks Mishele! I know things happen for a reason, and if God wanted me to stay in that job, I would still be there-so He must have better plans for me :D Karen

I made it and am better for it.. Feb 27th I got the word that the company I was working for 10 years was going east.. I was so depressed my hair came out. my last day May 31st and I only got to stay home one week. On June 11th I started a BETTER job as a manager and 30% more money and 10 min from home.. And 3 other people in my old office got jobs before the last day they worked. I DO now know what it means when one door closes another opens...
Have to handle at first but it can be a blessing...

Fedup,
Did the company offer her any sort of severance package? Depending on how long she's been with the company, it would be the right thing to at least offer her assistance in getting another job and possibly computer training in MS Office software at the very least.
My heart goes out to her. Sometime's there's just no rhyme or reason into how they decide these things, but as others have said on this thread, sometimes when a door shuts, a window opens.
My thoughts and prayers are with her--and I know she will stay strong with friends like you in her corner.

First off, I would like to say thanks to all of you for your kind words and support. I am hoping that she will try to show a good attitude at work as this could affect future employment. I am encouraging her to stay positive.

I doubt they will offer a severence package. Something will come, she said on the phone that god will take care of her. I hate to be judgemental, but their part of our building is who can kiss butt more, not who does the most work. It will come back to bite them because their are agencies bidding on their contracts all the time. If they keep the less productive ones out of freindship, they all will be seeking employment and from where I stand (doing the job referrals) there are not a whole lot of them I would put my name out there for. I work too hard building relationships with these employers to jeapordize it on the work ethic I have witnessed from some of these individuals. It is just sad that the ones that work the hardest are taking the axe. I took a vacation day to get away from all the stress today. I just thank god I don't work for them.

poptartsmom,

I'm glad to hear that you found a better job :)

Ok, here's my sad tale for the night:
First off, I am very lucky to have income and economic security through my union contract. I have been doing the same thing in the same place for 8 years and can do it in my sleep. My current dept head and I do not see eye to eye--and she's told me essentially that that's all I can expect to be doing while I'm there. Not that my performance is bad (it's not--and got the reviews to prove it), but my bootie-kissing skills need work.
Yes, I am looking for a job within our hospital chain, which is a huge one. I'm trying not to take the first thing which comes down the pike, and want to leave for more cash, but here is where I'm stupid. Do I leave for more of the same, or do I hold out for the really great job?? And what do I leave for and what's not worth it? Told you I was stupid--and I haven't had to do this in awhile.
I'm just afraid that I've been doing the same thing in my 40s and will be doing it in my 50s...am I a brat? Thanks for listening and I will shut up now, lol..

I don't think you are a brat kscornell! Who of us would not want to be really happy & fulfilled doing a job they love everyday? I know I would! Personally, as long as your job is stable, I would look for what would really make you happy. Of course more money is a plus, but if you are miserable, is it worth the trade-off? The answer to that will be different for everyone - to some it wouldn't matter becuase it is more $$ and worth the headache. I have told my kids that doing something that makes you feel alive and with purpose - whatever that is, that is what to do with your life. They have both followed that advice -my son is studying to be a chef, and my daughter went into animal science knowing that it is not a high paying job, but her passion. I hope that you can find that too. To Fedup - I was laid off a few months after I got married (nice stress) I had 2 weeks to train my former supervisor to do the job I had worked so hard to move up in another dept. that was a slap in the face. Then I was told I could apply for a job in billing, but I would be going up against a single mom oh and for less money- I prob would have gotten it, as I was much faster than her entering policies (insurance) but my conscience told me she needed that money more than I did. I ended up getting pregnant with my daughter within a few months, but it was not easy. Especially when I had to go in for unemployment and try to explain that I was looking for work (who would hire a pregnant mom hello?) Anyway, my best hope for all - sometimes things happen for reasons we cannot see right away.

dalfire,
I hope all is ok with you today. I thank you for your words. The single mom here in pa would have been fine, Pa takes care of them pretty well. I am sorry to hear that this happen to you.

My problem is that they are getting vicious at work, the supervisor has not told them who is next and it will happen on 6.29, I would not want to be in his shoes, but out of respect for his staff, he should tell them. It is only a week away. There is a meeting tommorro, he is supposed to say then.

So the saga is over until October, hopefully more money will come along to keep the casemanagers in place. Hard work paid off, much to my amazement freindship did not rule. He laid off the one that was his friend. I feel bad, did not want any of them to lose their job but she really screwed off and up alot because of that friendship. Cell phone in one ear with family on it and work phone on the other with another family member on it, with clients waiting. It was so frustrating and you could not do anything about it because she would BITE your head off. She was told and her family was there with in 10 minutes, her office was cleared in about 15 minutes and she did not finish out the work day. She said she isn't coming back next week either. Now, if money comes along, does she think they would call her back. I know she is upset but she has one person in mind, herself. she never had the teamwork mentality, sad but true. I hope all works out for her somewhere. just wanted to update you guys. thanks for listening

Fedup so glad that you are safe. KYSIDE38 :D

Me too, This is the last week for two of my co workers, one who is a good friend. It will be sad on friday.