|
spitfire78
|
 |
« on: April 30, 2009, 04:28:34 pm » |
|
lay-off day, that is. They're doing it in a large room just around the corner from my office. It's really awful - people are crying and just totally shell-shocked. It's not newbies either. I'm talking about long-term employees, some of whom I am quite fond of. My job is ok (for the moment, anyway), but all 3 of us are really moping around. It's hard to concentrate on the job at hand, and we all just want to "go home and bury our heads under the covers" - as my boss said. Of course, as I said, it isn't going to be any better tomorrow when those people are no longer here. What a day  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
mlm668
|
|
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2009, 04:40:06 pm » |
|
Reductions in force are becoming the norm these days and they are a real downer. We've been doing them since mid-December and I'm just waiting for when my number comes up. Our client (I'm a contractor employee) has gotten to the point that they've had to start doing them. I was told they did 7 this week but of those 7, only one was a true lay off - the rest were offered early retirement. While I undertand the need for a business to reduce expenses, when the economy is like this I believe they are actually doing more harm than good to their bottom line. If people aren't working, they can't purchase goods and services which means the company isn't going to bring in any revenue. But I guess that would only apply to the smaller service/goods based industries - not one like I work which doesn't sell directly to the public. Hang in there and be prepared. I was once told by a former employer my job was secure even though the signs all said different - I was right because within 2 months of my questioning how some changes were going to affect my job, I was given notice.  Michelle  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
gee4
|
|
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2009, 06:11:02 pm » |
|
I've been through it too and one time when I was the one asked to summon those who were being let go - awful.
Best thing you can do is be supportive for your colleagues which I am sure you will.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
msmarieh
|
|
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2009, 07:24:14 pm » |
|
I've done it multiple ways - known about it in advance, not known about it in advance, been the one being let go...
I've decided I like ignorance best of all. I don't want to know when someone is about to lose their job. It's almost impossible not to treat them differently or want to give them some kind of a heads up. (On the other hand, if it were me being let go, I want to know so I can do as much prep as I can - update resume, watch big purchases, etc.).
Good luck. I don't know how any reasonable employer can expect the other employees to be able to focus and work on a day like that.
Marie
Peer Moderator
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
peaches2160
|
|
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2009, 12:57:06 am » |
|
It is very hard. I took a couple of days off since my boss was traveling when it happened on our floor. We were really down and I called him to let him know I was having trouble holding my head up and smiling when I really wanted to cry. He understood, and told me it was ok to take a couple of days and get back into the game. It helped me. We have more coming and I am not looking forward to it. Never a good day anywhere.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
itsme_calista
|
|
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2009, 08:49:50 am » |
|
Our layoffs have been happening over a year and it has been so difficult as I've known about 95% of them. I agree that it is so difficult to remain positive and cheery through it, the feeling I had of being two-faced and lying to people in the lead up was horrific. I was asked more than a few times what was happening and I just told everyone that I had no idea and that all correspondence was marked private so I never read any, and all email attachments were passworded! People gave up asking when they thought I didn't know anything and why they thought I'd tell, I have no idea!! I only have today and 4 days next week and then I'm finished  My redundancy has unsettled a lot of people as I was seen as key to operations, and now there is talk of the business up for sale, our CEO on notice etc. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
spitfire78
|
|
« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2009, 01:22:19 pm » |
|
All 3 of us in my group came in dressed in black this morning. Turns out it was a conscious decision for all of us - just reflective of the way we are feeling. There were 12 let go yesterday. In our small division of about 300 employees, that is a pretty significant number - enough so that all areas are affected either directly or indirectly. So far, I've only heard the names of 5, so I'm still waiting to hear who the other 7 are. It's so hard to know that people you have seen for years are just simply gone. We've been fortunate enough that this has happened very rarely in all of the time I've been here, so it really is quite a shock for most people.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
spitfire78
|
|
« Reply #7 on: May 01, 2009, 01:29:38 pm » |
|
Michelle,
Believe me, I am still on pins and needles. My job was hanging by a thread in February, but my boss fought and won on the argument that she can't do her job without me. However, as the last hired in this department and certainly the most expendable, I am well aware of the precariousness of my position. However, even if I keep my job, I am still facing a potential pay cut. Decisions haven't been made on that yet, so we're still waiting to hear.
In February I went over all of my finances with a fine-tooth comb. I have an emergency fund that would cover 6 months of expenses, and my severance pay would give me another 6 months. I don't have a whole lot left on my mortgage, and I've been paying it down like crazy. Don't get me wrong - it would still be a hardship but I think I'm as prepared as I can be. I guess that's all any of us can do at this point.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Atlanta Z3
|
|
« Reply #8 on: May 01, 2009, 04:54:02 pm » |
|
This takes me back to the 80's and 90's when it seemed like every company I hired on to was going through centralization or decentralization. And which ever way they were going was not the area that I was in. It's hard on everyone, just offer what help you feel comfortable giving. I've been personal references and offered to proof resumes. Try not to get bogged down in all the negatives, but find a positive and move forward. Will any of the changes give you a chance to grow or earn a new skill?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
spitfire78
|
|
« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2009, 08:48:53 pm » |
|
No, as usual the hardest hit are the lowest paid - a lot on the housekeeping staff and other lower paid positions. It just makes me feel bad. The whole place is pretty grim today. I know we'll get through it but it hurts right now.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
