Gut Punch...Updated...Got A JOB!

[Aqualung]

Just got laid off today.

21+ years with the company and they walk in and give me 15 minutes to clear out my stuff.

Not out on the skids with nothing, but there's the whole betrayal and fear for what's next.

Need some good fortune to swing my way...or at least some good wishes...

Aqualung

 

[coach]

That's a tough one.

 

[GP100]

Aqualung,

I'm truly sorry to hear of this.. I hope things will be okay for you.. I can understand your feeling of betrayal.. You put a good portion of your life into a company, and at the end, they pull that.. Just doesn't seem right to me.. Stay strong. Hopefully things will get better soon..

All my best wishes to you and your family..

Sincerely,

Mike. P.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Hopes for the best for you.

 

[MADDOG 521]

Make something good happen now that you got the time.
Relax, think it over and then make a plan.

 

[jlmtr6]

Good luck, things will get better. Just hang in there.
Jim

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Hopefully this will become an opportunity to do something you've always wanted to do.

If I could figure out what I want to do when I grow up, maybe I can try something different.

 

[contender]

First, I too want to wish you well in this. It does feel like a betrayal,, and in fact,,, it is.

Sadly, many companies in America do this all the time. No loyalty to employees,,, but they demand loyalty from you. I've seen this way too many times.

I have a good friend,,, who right out of HS went to work for Broyhill Furniture. After almost 25 years of him working hard, overtime when necessary etc. they walked in one day, gave all the employees a notice, gave them 2 weeks severance pay & kicked them out. Shipped the jobs offshore. He had no other skills, no plans etc. he wound up moving to Fl. building cabinets for boats. We always felt that the top management folks got a MUCH better severance package,,, no matter if they'd been there just a few years or not. No employee loyalty for the average worker who had dedicated themselves to being a good employee.

I do hope you can land on your feet, and find a good job soon!

 

[powder smoke]

Hope something comes along soon for you Best of luck! ps

 

[bogus bill]

Was it possibly that you were getting close to retirement and they didn't want to pay it?

 

[eveled]

Do yourself a favor, try to get a good night sleep, wake up tomorrow and go fishing. I do my best thinking when I'm fishing. You'll figure it out, and look back someday, and think it was the best thing that ever happened to you.

 

[Aqualung]

Was it possibly that you were getting close to retirement and they didn't want to pay it?

No, not it. I'm not to that age yet (turn 48 on Monday...Happy Birthday to me!). And not like they would pay out any pensions anyhow.

They are taking care of me for the near future, so it's not a total ditch...but it's still painful.

Thanks to all for the best wishes.

As many times as I wanted to leave that place in the last year...they just made my choice for me...so it really isn't a total loss. It's just frightening to be at this point.

I'm not the only one, Just after they let me go, they let go my friend, Jeff as well (the one that gave me the Super B). He's not in as good a position I'm in...so I feel for him as well.

Thanks again...things will look up.

Aqualung

 

[Aqualung]

Do yourself a favor, try to get a good night sleep, wake up tomorrow and go fishing. I do my best thinking when I'm fishing. You'll figure it out, and look back someday, and think it was the best thing that ever happened to you.

Funny you should mention that. This week was my first week back from a Canada fishing trip...so at least they paid me to go fishing for a week...

Aqualung

 

[sfhogman]

Best wishes.
Things WILL get better. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Jeff

 

[Cholo]

It's just frightening to be at this point.

Yes, it is! I'm quite a bit older than you, but I have learned this life's lesson: When one door closes a better one opens, though it didn't seem so at the time.

Sit back, chill, and plan the rest of your life. They sucked anyway, right?

 

[wiz1997]

My suggestion is to hit the unemployment office to get that started, then go fishing.

I worked commercial construction and shutdowns in refineries and chemical plants for many years.

Been laid off more times than I can remember, it was just the nature of the beast.

Had seven W2's in one year.

The first time, some 40 plus years ago was a bit scary, but learned then to never extend my expenses beyond what unemployment would cover.

After 20 years of that type of work I switched to maintenance work, and the only time I've been off work is when I chose to be.

Don't get discouraged, and take your time to find the next 20 year job.

 

[blackhawknj]

All too common these days, alas. But keep your chin up.

 

[steveodtw]

I too feel your pain. Since they have no loyalty to you, don't overlook talking to their competition. They may value your knowledge and experience. Not out of revenge, just focusing on best options first. If, like me, you want out of that field anyways, you have the freedom to re-invent yourself. People do it all the time. Look at it as an opportunity you didn't think you had yesterday. Great advice from Cholo.

 

[Don Lovel]

what is your skill set/ latest job?

 

[daveg.inkc]

Hang in there Aqua, It'll get better

 

[ned]

I go fired at 66. Very grateful, started a small biz. Great fun,1/3 the money but still moving forward. Movement is life.

 

[gunzo]

It'll be OK. Plenty of work out there right now, or at least in my area. Passing the drug screen & showing up on time every day is about all you need.
I got laid off in 2008 after a long & faithful career. During those times & at my age, I couldn't buy a solid job in my skill set. But I wasn't afraid of trying new things & never went hungry or missed a bill payment. Had a few jobs that paid better than I'd ever seen before.
Relax & enjoy the change.

 

[Fox Mike]

Hang in there. As has been said that when one door closes another opens. My grand dad always told me that everything happens for a reason and I was to look at the good side of things and move on. It has worked for me for 80 years.

 

[vito]

Just in general, willingness to relocate will open up many more opportunities for you, regardless of the line of work. Some parts of the country are booming, others not so much. Good luck for the future.

 

[Chief 101]

I can only tell you from my experiences that when one door closes others open, and better options abound. Stay positive...

 

[Aqualung]

Thanks to all for your kind words of support.

I'm sure this is an opportunity for me to get a better job. There have been many times over the past year and a half that drove me to look for another job and just quit. However, I didn't seriously pursue it out of fear for the unknown above the "enemy I knew".

So, the company did me the favor of making that decision for me and are helping to subsidize the search.

So, all in all, while it puts the fear of the unknown into me and the stress of looking for a job, I am in a fortunate position...much better than it could be if they just said " hit the bricks, good luck with unemployment"...

For Don L. - I'm in Facilities Management, with strong leanings in support systems (environmental monitoring, security systems, etc) in the Pharma field. My company did contract packaging, storage and distribution of clinical trial study supplies...

Yeah, I'm one of those reasons that your meds are so expensive...but believe me, my salary wasn't why Viagra is $200 a pill or the like...I wasn't seeing that money!

Aqualung

 

[toysoldier]

I ended a 25 year marriage, and got fired after 26 years at the same place. Turned out for the best.

 

[RolandDeschain]

Thanks to all for your kind words of support.

I'm sure this is an opportunity for me to get a better job. There have been many times over the past year and a half that drove me to look for another job and just quit. However, I didn't seriously pursue it out of fear for the unknown above the "enemy I knew".

So, the company did me the favor of making that decision for me and are helping to subsidize the search.

So, all in all, while it puts the fear of the unknown into me and the stress of looking for a job, I am in a fortunate position...much better than it could be if they just said " hit the bricks, good luck with unemployment"...

For Don L. - I'm in Facilities Management, with strong leanings in support systems (environmental monitoring, security systems, etc) in the Pharma field. My company did contract packaging, storage and distribution of clinical trial study supplies...

Yeah, I'm one of those reasons that your meds are so expensive...but believe me, my salary wasn't why Viagra is $200 a pill or the like...I wasn't seeing that money!

Aqualung

Excellent field to be in..You will have zero problems finding another job - here in the Nashville area anyway you could have your choice of offers pretty dang quick.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I believe things are going to be looking up for you soon. But as someone said, be willing to relocate to move up. We may not be in control of things, but God is. Believe it.

 

[gramps]

I have had the rug pulled out from under my plans multiple times. As I read the other replies, all I can say is GOOD INFORMATION ABOUNDS HERE! Good luck. Full speed ahead, and damn the torpedoes. :mrgreen:
gramps