OT--Today is the day

[denise]

May 5th, 8am, mandatory meeting, the email read at work

So I will soon be told that they are downsizing and I will not have a job any longer! I have known for about 3 weeks that this was coming but now I have butterfly's in my stomach and I couldn't sleep last night. Plus we overslept because DH forgot to set the alarm!

My big question is:

Will George Clooney be giving me the news? That would sure make this better.

There are some good things about this whole being downsized thing....at least I will have a pension because I have 30 years with the company. Can't collect it yet but it will be there. (well not with them I am taking the lump sum and rolling it over, don't want them to manage my money) There are so many who do not have that and will just be let go. I will get a nice "go away" package too.

So the next phase of my life begins on May 28th. I have signed up for classes in the fall at the local college. Taking photography! Anybody need their picture taken?

I'll let you know if George was there......

 

[AnneR]

Sometimes it is harder when you know the bad news is coming.

 

[richard_andmel]

That's a pretty great attitude about the situation. Here's to everything working out even better than you hoped!

Mel

 

[safetymom]

It sure would be nice if George gave you the news. Wishing you well on your new life. Being downsized is no fun.

 

[disneymom8589]

You have a great attitude! I hope your photography class goes well...and maybe it will lead into something!

 

[jcb]

I deal with a number of these situations and I have to say your attitude is remarkable. I know it is not what you wanted but I admire folks who see change as a challenge, rather than an obstacle.

 

[SamSam]

Love you attitude, and the fact that you are already planning ahead by signing of for a photography class.

 

[kcb1dizbksfan]

Wish I had a pension : - (
Photography has been my avocation for 30 years . . . you will look at everything you do and with others in a whole different perspective (or lens)

Good luck!

DRNYKCB

 

[denise]

Thanks everyone!

Ok so George was a no show! (if you didn't see Up In The Air you will not know what I am talking about)

It was like a hit in the stomach when I was handed the offer. Thanks for your 30 years, see ya, giving your job to a higher paid tech, bye now...

We (500+ in just California)were offered two different going away gifts or severance packages. My last day is May 28th. If I don't take the package it will not be offered again and I "could" be without a job in 2 months or more. It is the "could" part that scares me. I have seen this so many times and the people are just surplus and have 2 weeks to find another job withing the company. Trouble is there are no jobs. So many are moving across the country to get a job. I work for a very large telephone company.....in the landline tech field and everyone is going to cell phones only....we can't transfer to cell either. Have to get rehired!

My DH says we will be fine...he works there too but his job is safe, for now.

I have always loved taking pictures and want to get better at it. Perhaps I could move to Orlando and get a job at the World taking your next photo.
Smile!!!
denise

 

[doconeill]

...giving your job to a higher paid tech...

In my line of work, those words are NEVER uttered. It's always, "Giving your job to cheaper techs in India..." I even got to train my replacements!

 

[eeyorelvr09]

You definitely have a wonderful outlook. I'm in the same boat without a pension or severance. Was terminated( the nice wasy of saying fired).

I admire you and your optimism. Good luck on the photography and school.

 

[denise]

In my line of work, those words are NEVER uttered. It's always, "Giving your job to cheaper techs in India..." I even got to train my replacements!

They asked me to train the techs last month....I said, Seriously? You are asking me to train someone who makes more than me, has less seniority then who is going to replace me....I don't think so...
None of us would train, so on June 1st they will be a in a world of hurt! That's the best part of all of this....

I do, however, appreciate that I will have my pension and a package for sure. It makes this whole thing so much better.

 

[makelab]

you could always train them poorly. with no training, they might figure out what to do, but if you train them wrong, I would guess it would take management longer to figure out the problem.

 

[doconeill]

you could always train them poorly. with no training, they might figure out what to do, but if you train them wrong, I would guess it would take management longer to figure out the problem.

We didn't have to train them poorly. What little they absorbed was lost when they went back to India, and promptly quit to take a better job armed with the knowledge we gave them...

 

[dixiegirl]

Been downsized twice in my lifetime already and I'm only 40 so I can certainly relate. You seem to really have a good attitude about the whole thing. Enjoy your new classes. Follow your passion!

 

[exwdwcm]

so sorry to hear it. especially after 30 years. you have a great attitude and will obviously be a huge benefit to another company elsewhere in the future!! enjoy the time and your photography!! It's their loss!

 

[sau418]

Your post made me remember my downsizing...

I was given two options, no job at all or move to Pittsburgh and do essentially the same job. The issue was I was halfway through my master's degree. I ended up taking the position in Pittsburgh and it was the best decision I have ever made. I met DH the day I moved here and 7 years later we are happily married and have two great little girls. I am now a stay at home mommy, but the downsizing actually was a good thing for me and opened so many doors. The company was really great, they worked with me to commute 2 hours each way once a week to finish my master's degree.