Laid off

machone

Sorry, I know it sucks. Been there but if I can get through to a better place so can you.
Hang in there!

F1nut

That's 60 days you don’t have a better job.

rooftop59

F1nut wrote: »

That's 60 days you don’t have a better job.

It’s also a 30 day paid vacation to find that new, better job. I doubt the job market will fluctuate much in 60 days. I would be inclined to take the work...

NotaSuv

Went thru this exact same thing where we were asked to train our replacements as no one else was certified to....but it was another 6-8 weeks of work so all took the offer and all found jobs within 4 weeks...best of luck in the search I know I am happier where I am now and well taken care of

Msabot1

Clipdat wrote: »

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to reply with well wishes, positive sentiment, and encouragement. I sincerely appreciate it. The past few days have been a bit of a whirlwind, but being able to sit down tonight and read through all the replies is helping to clear my head. Once again, my sincerest thanks.

I've found out that my employer would like to keep our team on staff for the next 60 days, so that we can assist with "transitional work". I'm assuming that means to train our replacements basically. If we sign an agreement stating that we will, they said they would give us a "retention bonus" of one week's pay for every two weeks worked over the course of the next 8 weeks.

My colleague is having a lawyer review the agreement tomorrow, but it seems like an OK deal I suppose. Just feels a little weird for them to be saying "You're job is over", and then "but wait, we desperately need your help still!".

Anyway, thanks again for all the support. I think that in the big picture, this will all work out for the best! Everything happens for a reason, right?

Man...I smell H1b...I'd tell them to screw themselves..there is just too much out there now...unlike it was about 4-6 years ago...

Tony M

What's H1b?

NotaSuv

[

Man...I smell H1b...I'd tell them to screw themselves..there is just too much out there now...unlike it was about 4-6 years ago...[/quote]

Problem now a days is you really need to watch the bridges you burn as with companies buying companies daily you never know who your next boss might be...

codycatalist

I would take the work too, just to have that income unless you have enough saved up that you don't care.

motorhead43026

^^NotaSuv,,,,,,so true, my boss @ Westinghouse Electric Corp from 30 years ago, was hired by the company I work for now. I have been here for 21 years. Guess what, he is now my new boss.

Clipdat

Just realized I forgot to reply to this. I'm in the IT field, located in California.

codycatalist wrote: »

Sorry to hear bud, may I ask what you did or have experience in? Do you happen to be in Texas or Arizona? My company is hiring like crazy, we have a great work environment and growing year after year. We are in the Online Education field so lots of different positions open.

Msabot1

NotaSuv wrote: »

[

Man...I smell H1b...I'd tell them to screw themselves..there is just too much out there now...unlike it was about 4-6 years ago...

Problem now a days is you really need to watch the bridges you burn as with companies buying companies daily you never know who your next boss might be...

[/quote]

Well..the way I see it..the only problem is if you are willing to let them exploit you at your expense...If you are really good in your field..have a strong network and contacts..you wouldn't care...you would walk and make your way..

Tony M

May the light of the burning bridges light my way forward.

If your looking back, your looking in the wrong direction.

Authors unknown.

Again, what is H1b?

rburgess714

In IT as well what is your area of expertise and where in CA. PM if you like.

Clipdat

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-1B_visa

Tony M wrote: »

Again, what is H1b?

cfrizz

I'm sorry to read this Clip, I've been through it myself. Take that extension, COBRA is very expensive! Update your resume and start looking. Being in IT should help get you another job quicker than most since everything is run by computers these days.

Oh and TOTALLY ignore the fools that are telling you to burn bridges, you might find yourself on that bridge again some day and you want the keeper of it to remember you in a good light!

Best of luck and keep us posted.

Tony M

Pour as much gas on that bridge as you can when it's over. I'm not saying to flip the bird to the CEO or cuss out people when you leave.

I just knew when I left or they let me go, there was NO returning. BUT one time I let my thin wallet tell me to return to work for one man. That man screwed me out of 1000.00 for a job I finished for him so he could rent a house. I wanted him to sign a contract. He abruptly said no to signing one and said I haven't screwed you before have I?. I thought yea, you did, but I assumed a payment before venturing across country would be more than 200.00 for 7 days of driving a truck without a working window and having to sleep in the truck one of those nights. I've worked mainly for little one man owned Companies. They made millions off of my labor and skills. But the big BIG companies with branches across the USA, I've only worked for 2. I didn't burn the bridge. They led me to the street and the psyco Forman of one and the jealous and envious management of the other, it was obvious.

They've used you and don't need you anymore or want you. If you can't burn bridges, your options for employment must be so limited, it's pathetic. Don't call me a fool Cathy! You don't know squat about my employment skills and talents and how I made Co.s grow tremendously. Or how my contacts with previous companies heard about my demise and called me within a day or two, or the one I went to and in 3 hours of being terminated, I was working for him at that small family owned business. That employment is another BIG story you couldn't even comprehend what I did. You wouldn't have lasted 4 hours doing what I did for a year. Have you been instrumental in growing a company or two or more? Or have you just filled a spot that millions could fill easily. Therefore, you'd be thanking them for employing you all the while they're kicking you out the door and out to your car knowing they'll never employ you again if they can help it.

Unless the people write an outstanding letter about how sorry they were to let you go and will miss your services tremendously, Burn the bridge.

Just do it silently and look forward always.

sucks2beme

Same thing here two years ago. Got outsourced to HP and they shipped the jobs
to India. Customers didn't think much of that. I's a lot less stressful where I'm at now.
I'm not working 24 hours straight or working all weekend any more..
Time to find that perfect fir. Look forward and don't look back.
I'm sure karma will catch up to the guys offshoring jobs.

Polkitup2

Clipdat, having survived 30 plus years of layoffs in corporate IT, I can now say surviving was the worst thing that happened to me. You will be much better off at your next company that wants to hire you and have you as an employee! Everyone I worked with that got laid off is now better off now than they were! Burning bridges says a lot about character, take the high road IMHO. BTW, I recently retired before they could get me!!!

mdaudioguy

Tony M wrote: »

Burn the bridge.

Just do it silently and look forward always.

Lol, I'm pretty sure folks here have different ideas of what it means to burn bridges.

mrloren

sucks2beme wrote: »

Same thing here two years ago. Got outsourced to HP and they shipped the jobs
to India. Customers didn't think much of that. I's a lot less stressful where I'm at now.
I'm not working 24 hours straight or working all weekend any more..
Time to find that perfect fir. Look forward and don't look back.
I'm sure karma will catch up to the guys offshoring jobs.

Yeah HP, don't get me started on them book cookers.

I am currently looking for another job, My job is safe for now but no pay raise in 7 years it's time to go. I've had a few interviews and one very low offer. It will come sooner or later. Warehouse manager with 30 years experience and a Federal Public Trust security clearance it will come.

As for burning any bridges nope not happening here. Never know in 6 months they might ask for me back at more pay. I like my job and people I work with. Just the parent companies from HP on have SUCKED!

kevhed72

Yeah some guy did that at my employer and ended up coming back. He sent a mass email slamming the company. Now he's known as that guy who sent the email. Not that it doesnt suck, but thats employment at will. Focus your energy on the next, better opportunity.

verb

Drew as we chatted offline I just wanted to affirm my condolences and add to the support and well wishes here.

I’m reminded of the dark days of the automotive industry in the early/mid 2000’s. Today is a totally different environment. Everyone’s hiring, can’t find enough talent, offers abound.

My point is that every industry is cyclical. Ups and downs. The IT renaissance is coming for US citizen IT professionals like yourself. Even regionally you see it. In the metro Detroit area I see it. Everyone seems to be hiring here.

The key is filling the gap in the short term. Take care of your family. Take the retention bonus opportunity but do not take your foot off the gas in finding the next great job. Lots of work, almost like working 2 jobs, but it will pay off.

You are a very talented and detailed person. IT personified. You will rebound, and be better off.

tonyb

You guys are putting the cart before the horse here. First things first....remove the second word of your thread title and go for the first. Then chill for a bit and take some advice given.

delkal

Clipdat wrote: »

I've found out that my employer would like to keep our team on staff for the next 60 days, so that we can assist with "transitional work". I'm assuming that means to train our replacements basically. If we sign an agreement stating that we will, they said they would give us a "retention bonus" of one week's pay for every two weeks worked over the course of the next 8 weeks.

If your company is big and laying off 20% of its workforce I am pretty sure everyone gets 2 months pay under the WARN notice. So you have 2 months of pay coming at minimum and then maybe severance. Most companies just tell you to leave when you are laid off. But you still get paid for the next two months.

You need to see the details of this transitional work. Sounds like if you do this you will get an additional few weeks pay but at 1/2 of your salary. You need to decide if its worth it to you.

Most of the people at my old job told them to stick it.

warren

The future is ahead of you in a great time to secure a greater position!

Clipdat

The higher ups called me into a meeting at 4:30pm today, (seriously who schedules a meeting at 4:30pm?) and told me that they now want me to stay on until November 30th. With the same "extra week's pay for every two weeks worked" deal that I'm currently doing.

I told them I'd get back to them.

What the hell? From the short discussion I had with them after this offer, it's abundantly clear that they have no transition plan in place and are completely flailing and flopping around like a fish out of water in terms of how they're going to accomplish the transition.

Do I really want to stay on to hold their hand and spoon feed them for 5.5 weeks worth (September 15th to November 30th is 11 weeks) of extra pay? My gut says it's not worth the money.

Clipdat

Also since I have no shame, and to further put the situation into perspective, 5.5 weeks work equates to roughly $5k after taxes.

That's not even enough for a Pass Labs integrated.

cfrizz

Unless you have another job to step into, you would be smart to stay. Money is money, you have to use common sense. Your pride and ego will NOT pay the bills.

You have no idea how long it is going to take you to get another job. for a good many people it can take a year or more, and unemployment payments are tiny compared to what you are making right now so you better have enough in the bank to get you through.

Tony M

I'd keep making the EXTRA BONUS money until the job runs out.

You're now making more than you would have before the announcements. I'd be happy as can be to have it extended even longer. Heck, they might offer you a permanent job again after November with the higher pay implemented.

tratliff

I was in this same situation about 18 months ago. The closer it got to the end date the more control I had in the situation.

Strange thing is that I still work for them in a higher position with a very good future plan.

You never know how these things will play out. I would stick it out to the end. But I would be looking for a job during that time. If something comes up then take it. If not see how things progress.