Got told yesterday...

exalted512

...around 5:30 (we close at 6) that it would be my last day at work. Thank God he gave me 30 minutes notice, it would have sucked otherwise. /sarcasm

Anyway, if anyone knows of anyone hiring in the Bryan/College Station area....maybe even Houston area, let me know!
-Cody

AudioGenics

pm sent

WilliamM2

Sorry to hear that. The company I work for doesn't tell people they are laid off until after they punch out, so don't feel alone. They think people will slack off for the rest of the day if they have any notice at all. I can't figure out why that would matter, if they don't need them anyway.

steveinaz

That sucks, sorry about that man--keeping my fingers crossed for ya.

nguyendot

WilliamM2 wrote: »

Sorry to hear that. The company I work for doesn't tell people they are laid off until after they punch out, so don't feel alone. They think people will slack off for the rest of the day if they have any notice at all. I can't figure out why that would matter, if they don't need them anyway.

That seems shady. Getting told you're laid off should be done on the clock, as it's a function of the job. If you aren't on the clock, they shouldn't be communicating anything job related to you. I'd hit them up on making me work off the clock. In this state ...well in any state that's a no-no.

Anyways, at this company they don't wait very long. As soon as the order goes out, they pull you into a meeting room with a two managers (need a witness), they fire you and debrief you. During this time a swarm of ninjas attacks your desk and in about 30 seconds anything non-company related is stripped and tossed in a box.

I've seen it happen so many times. There's no dignity in it, and everyone knows.

bobman1235

WilliamM2 wrote: »

Sorry to hear that. The company I work for doesn't tell people they are laid off until after they punch out, so don't feel alone. They think people will slack off for the rest of the day if they have any notice at all. I can't figure out why that would matter, if they don't need them anyway.

I would assume it's more so you're not hanging around and possibly doing something damaging to the company in a bitter / angry rage. "I'll show them for firing me, I'll infect the network drive with a virus!"

Sad, but people have certainly done worse.

Sorry 'bout your job loss.

Knucklehead

Here's to hoping you land back on your feet quickly!

thebluemonkey

Same thing happened to me at 5:20 in the afternoon on oct 15th let 30 people go here in the midwest and 300 nationwide.

coolsax

that's a crappy way be laid off.. when I was laid off from my last job, they closed the whole branch. told us first thing in the morning, some people were sent home with just a check for their severance. then a few of us left over(I was thankfully included) were kept around with security on watch and prepared all the branches documentation and filing for shipping to the corporate office. those of us who were picked to stay the day got an extra week severance. so I got lucky in that sense

cnh

Terrible time to have that happen. Hope you land something soon. On the positive side, at least, the Houston area is much less hit by the unemployment debacle according to the stats! Hope that works in your favor!

Good Luck!

cnh

vc69

Sorry to hear man. Prayers sent your way.

exalted512

I was told about a month ago that it might be coming...but I was expecting a 2-week notice.

I'm the type of person that even if I was told I might be losing my job, even if I found something, I would still offer my current employer 2-weeks notice and I expected the same.

I'm expecting a call this week about another job, we'll see how that goes. There's not a whole lot in this area...and I'd really rather not drive to Houston everyday, but you have to do what you have to do.

The wife alone makes enough to cover us if we stick to the bare minimums...and even if we didn't change our spending habits, we'd be okay for about a year financially. Of course, if it takes that long for me to find a job, I'd kick myself in the nuts...haha.
-Cody

bobman1235

Why would someone want "notice" that they were going to be fired? I'd just want severance that would cover me for a few weeks while I found a new job.

Demiurge

If you're being fired, they're not going to give you any notice for obvious reasons.

If you're being laid off, its not personal and likely has to do with the finances of the company beyond your control. Most companies will give notice that there will be impending layoffs. If you're given this notice, you should prepare to be one of the ones that will be let go.

When the time comes, don't expect to be given any time to potentially become a bitter ex-employee for a few days or hours.

It sucks, but it happens for a reason. Having to fire or lay people off is the worst part of being a boss for me.

Good luck finding something new.

NotaSuv

Best of luck finding something new...........

shawn474

I have never had a problem firing people that deserved it. But, I always feel sorry for the families of those individuals.

Being laid off sucks - plain and simple. Nothing worse than telling an employee that because of budget cuts, poor economy, etc. that they no longer have a job, especially when they are an honest, hard working, loyal, productive employee.

exalted512

Demiurge wrote: »

If you're being fired, they're not going to give you any notice for obvious reasons.

If you're being laid off, its not personal and likely has to do with the finances of the company beyond your control. Most companies will give notice that there will be impending layoffs. If you're given this notice, you should prepare to be one of the ones that will be let go.

When the time comes, don't expect to be given any time to potentially become a bitter ex-employee for a few days or hours.

It sucks, but it happens for a reason. Having to fire or lay people off is the worst part of being a boss for me.

Good luck finding something new.

Well they told me about a month or so ago that it could be coming. But they also told me they'd keep me updated...I guess this was my update!
-Cody

maggiefan

Sorry to hear that Cody. Hope you get something even better, good luck. There is a grocery store chain here that has closed two of their stores last week and didn't even tell the employees, they found out when they went to work the next day. Doors locked and a sign that that store was closed.

jagster

Hard as it is to take, your life is not over, and sometimes they are doing you a favor. Most times it has nothing to do with your performance, but is just pure economics. If they can't afford you, you are surplus to them and their precious bottom line. I have had to let people go in my jobs, but I made sure I could give them as much severance as possible and gave them an excellent letter or recommendation. Be sure to get that letter. Your new employer may want to see it, as employers are afraid of lawsuits if they say anything negative about you when they are called. Now, were you happy in that job? I'm not talking about pay. Almost 80% of people surveyed said they did not like their job. Sad, but true. Life does not have to suck, and neither does work. Start immediatlely looking for another job. Take what you can get, but be working. You have a leg up on everybody if you are working. This shows ambition and that is what everyone is looking for in a new employee. Don't be embarrassed, hard as that sounds. Tell as many friends and relatives you can about the situation. That is called 'networking' and you will be amazed at what is out there. Lastly, you may have to move to get a good job, and that is tough, but it may be the only option. Remember that these days, a job that lasts five years is a long time. Besides, in five years, you have advanced as far as you are going to go. Good luck, and God Bless!

TECHNOKID

exalted512 wrote: »

...around 5:30 (we close at 6) that it would be my last day at work. Thank God he gave me 30 minutes notice, it would have sucked otherwise. /sarcasm

Anyway, if anyone knows of anyone hiring in the Bryan/College Station area....maybe even Houston area, let me know!
-Cody

Sorry for your lost, I know the feeling the same happened to me and about 29 other co-workers when high tech fell in 2001. In my case I was just starting the day and got called in the office by the plan general manager with HR in as a withness and pay + severance was ready. Escorted out without further notice. I lost one of the best if not the best I ever had :frown:

However, don't be depressed and see it as door opened to future and greater opportunities. "Your glas is half full, not half empty!"

Prayers sent your way for a speedy successfull job offering! Take the time to rethink and reposition your self in your life, take this opportunity to better your life standards.

WilliamM2 wrote: »

Sorry to hear that. The company I work for doesn't tell people they are laid off until after they punch out, so don't feel alone. They think people will slack off for the rest of the day if they have any notice at all. I can't figure out why that would matter, if they don't need them anyway.

This is the way it works today. I came back to my present job from a long convalescence (sick leave) and while I wasn't impressed with the guy's performance that was working with me in my office I was very sadden to hear to would discard him a week prior to my come back. I know while I was away, he worked his a$$ off doing his work and covering for his and that was their way to thank him :frown: I had the opportunity to voice my opinion to ownership in that regard and mentioned in a somewhat polite way that what goes around comes back. The owner seemed to get my point and :frown:ed. Very sad how people are threathed at times. They have a business to run and the humanity aspect is simply taken out of the picture.

bobman1235 wrote: »

I would assume it's more so you're not hanging around and possibly doing something damaging to the company in a bitter / angry rage. "I'll show them for firing me, I'll infect the network drive with a virus!"

Sad, but people have certainly done worse.

Sorry 'bout your job loss.

+1... Some legitimate and some paranoia.

thebluemonkey wrote: »

Same thing happened to me at 5:20 in the afternoon on oct 15th let 30 people go here in the midwest and 300 nationwide.

Nasty! Been there been through it!

bobman1235 wrote: »

Why would someone want "notice" that they were going to be fired? I'd just want severance that would cover me for a few weeks while I found a new job.

I agree but some minimal humanity and respect should be showned. We are NOT chopped liver. When one devotes to a company for many years, this is definitely not a good way to show any appreciation. How about some recognition for the ones that are highly dedicated to their employers?

exalted512 wrote: »

Well they told me about a month or so ago that it could be coming. But they also told me they'd keep me updated...I guess this was my update!
-Cody

At least you had some pre warning (which I did too in the high sector and really appreciated it. No real termination notice but I still felt somewhat respected. Very decent severance and even provided paid job search coaching)

jagster wrote: »

Hard as it is to take, your life is not over, and sometimes they are doing you a favor. Most times it has nothing to do with your performance, but is just pure economics. If they can't afford you, you are surplus to them and their precious bottom line. I have had to let people go in my jobs, but I made sure I could give them as much severance as possible and gave them an excellent letter or recommendation. Be sure to get that letter. Your new employer may want to see it, as employers are afraid of lawsuits if they say anything negative about you when they are called. Now, were you happy in that job? I'm not talking about pay. Almost 80% of people surveyed said they did not like their job. Sad, but true. Life does not have to suck, and neither does work. Start immediatlely looking for another job. Take what you can get, but be working. You have a leg up on everybody if you are working. This shows ambition and that is what everyone is looking for in a new employee. Don't be embarrassed, hard as that sounds. Tell as many friends and relatives you can about the situation. That is called 'networking' and you will be amazed at what is out there. Lastly, you may have to move to get a good job, and that is tough, but it may be the only option. Remember that these days, a job that lasts five years is a long time. Besides, in five years, you have advanced as far as you are going to go. Good luck, and God Bless!

Very sound advices!

bobman1235

TECHNOKID wrote: »

I agree but some minimal humanity and respect should be showned. We are NOT chopped liver. When one devotes to a company for many years, this is definitely not a good way to show any appreciation. How about some recognition for the ones that are highly dedicated to their employers?

I'm fine with the appreciation I get showed every 2 weeks. That's all my employer "owes" me.

WilliamM2

nguyendot wrote: »

That seems shady. Getting told you're laid off should be done on the clock, as it's a function of the job. If you aren't on the clock, they shouldn't be communicating anything job related to you. I'd hit them up on making me work off the clock. In this state ...well in any state that's a no-no.

Anyways, at this company they don't wait very long. As soon as the order goes out, they pull you into a meeting room with a two managers (need a witness), they fire you and debrief you. During this time a swarm of ninjas attacks your desk and in about 30 seconds anything non-company related is stripped and tossed in a box.

I've seen it happen so many times. There's no dignity in it, and everyone knows.

They usually meet them right at the time clock. They don't clean up their personal belongings, they think they should do that themselves, on their own time, but they do watch.

Ever since the layoffs started, I don't keep any personal possessions at work, except maybe Tums and Tylenol. I've actually been hoping to get laid off, as they keep piling on more and more work, but that seems very unlikely. If I even take a day or two off, they panic, as we are running on absolute minimum
staff now.

TECHNOKID

bobman1235 wrote: »

I'm fine with the appreciation I get showed every 2 weeks. That's all my employer "owes" me.

When one simply works for a pay check I agree with you but when dedication and passion kicks in, that is a different story.

cfrizz

Sorry to hear that Cody. I hope you land on your feet again soon.

WilliamM2

bobman1235 wrote: »

Why would someone want "notice" that they were going to be fired? I'd just want severance that would cover me for a few weeks while I found a new job.

I'd be happy to have severance pay instead of notice. Of course like most employers these days, there is no severance pay here.

opus

Good Luck Cody

greyford1979

Damn that sucks...good luck with finding a new job quickly!

exalted512

TECHNOKID wrote: »

When one simply works for a pay check I agree with you but when dedication and passion kicks in, that is a different story.

Exactly.
-Cody

janmike

Best of luck Cody.

wz2p7j

jagster wrote: »

If they can't afford you, you are surplus to them and their precious bottom line.

"Precious bottom line" eh? Sometimes, as a small business owner, it's a matter of simply providing for one's family in tough economic times.

Although I do recognize the bottom line mentality of larger corps. Still, you have to answer to the shareholders, who might just take their money elsewhere.

Chris

polkatese

Hoping for the best Cody, hope you find one quickly.