UPDATED (still employed) Leaving in 2 days, possible layoffs next week

[javaj]

My company is doing layoffs next week, 20% of the workforce, about 7500 people. We leave for FL in 2 days, I've made arrangements with my manager to call him to get an update on the situation next week. I know I can't really do anything right now, I'm just venting a little bit about having to have this possibility in the back of my mind during vacation. I will do my best to have fun anyway, I think I owe that to my family!

Thanks for listening, and wish me luck!

 

[kelscross]

I know it's hard..but GO AND HAVE A GOOD TIME!! I'm not sure if I'd even call my supervisor to see what was going on. If you find out you're one who is unfortuately laid off will it ruin your vacation? Then again, I would probably be thinking about it everyday until I found out. So I don't know.

I know how you feel. I lost my job last week and found another job but because of school and childcare issues I did get another job but for a considerable pay cut.

At first I was gonna cancel the trip. I would be nuts to spend that much money on a vacation after I just lost my job. But then I though..heck..it's already paid for...WE'RE GOING!!

Have fun..I wish I was going sooner!!!

 

[stacilee]

I'm sorry for this Winnie the Pooh Cloud hanging over your trip!
I'll say a prayer for you.
Try to have a good trip despite it.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

just wanted to say good luck to you, and that I hope you are able to enjoy your trip!

We had a similar situation with our recent trip. We went from 4/24 to 5/2 and knew that DH's company was having a lay off right after we got back. With his group it was 50% of the workforce. He has another one mid June for another 25%. We debated what to do. We had rented points for VWL for 4/25 to 4/30 so that money was nonrefundable but we could cancel our first night and last 3 days (we were driving so that wouldn't be an issue) and change our dining plans to eliminate the pricier sit down dinners but we decided against that. We decided we had cash saved for everything so nothing was being charged. We would go and enjoy ourselves. When I got home and added up the total it did put a knot in my stomach of "what if" he got cut and we could have used that $ for bills but he ended up being safe.

Go, try to have a good time, the decision has likely been made already at work so there is nothing you can do about it now, right?

GOOD LUCK!

 

[hulabird]

javaj

I will pray for things to be ok for you, but go and have a wonderful time and try not to think about it.

I was laid off less than a month ago and almost canceled my trip because of it, but decided that I would trust in God and know that things will be ok and I am still going on my trip in August. Luckily I have severance pay and 33 days of vacation coming to me before I go on unemployment. I am looking for a job too, but if nothing comes up before my trip I will worry about a new job after my trip.

Have a great time with your family!

 

[Ozymoe]

Originally posted by javaj
My company is doing layoffs next week, 20% of the workforce, about 7500 people. We leave for FL in 2 days, I've made arrangements with my manager to call him to get an update on the situation next week. I know I can't really do anything right now, I'm just venting a little bit about having to have this possibility in the back of my mind during vacation. I will do my best to have fun anyway, I think I owe that to my family!

Thanks for listening, and wish me luck!

Darlin'

You go. You have a good time and don't even think about what's happening while you're gone.

Either it will all be fine, in which case you won't have spent time worrying about nothing...or it will be time to regroup and reorient.

If it is time to regroup and reorient...hey! It is TIME to regroup and reorient! You have no idea what wonderful things might come from a shakeup.

Your days at Disney will have absolutely no effect upon your future...so enjoy them. You earned them. Don't take that away from yourself.

You have earned this time with your family. You have earned this magic.

PS...how old are your children and are you staying on or off property? I ask this because there are some really neat (free) things available that can be unbelievable adventures for certain age groups...*grin*

 

[javaj]

Thanks for all the support! Very comforting.

Ozymoe, DS is 2yo and we are staying onsite. That's one of the things we considered a few weeks ago when they announced layoffs, to switch from CR to SOG or a cheaper hotel. But since we are meeting family we decided to stick with our plans. We already got APs and lots of meal vouchers so most things are prepaid.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Ozymoe]

Originally posted by javaj
Thanks for all the support! Very comforting.

Ozymoe, DS is 2yo and we are staying onsite. That's one of the things we considered a few weeks ago when they announced layoffs, to switch from CR to SOG or a cheaper hotel. But since we are meeting family we decided to stick with our plans. We already got APs and lots of meal vouchers so most things are prepaid.

Thanks again everyone!

OMG...that's so cool! If you're at the Contemporary you can take a launch directly to Fort Wilderness where your 2 year old (depending on whether he is ready for it or not) has the option of a pony ride ($3 last time I checked) near the petting farm which houses various small animals including...nevermind...be surprised!

Most young children really enjoy this excursion with their parents. The petting farm is also near the large barn where they keep the large Belgians that pull the carts up and down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. Some children love visiting them. You know your child the best so you can decide upon this beforehand.

There is also an outdoor nightly movie (free) with a visit from Chip and Dale. You can purchase (or bring your own) marshmallows and sticks for roasting (about $2.50 or $3...enough mmallows for 3 or 4). You might not have time for FW if you've never been to Disney before and have mega-park ground to cover.

A 2 year old will find many happy things to do at Mickey's Toon Town as well as Fantasyland in the MK...be sure to throw in extra clothes for him so he can spontaneously join in water activities! ...nothing elaborate...just something dry if he wants to get all soaked! (hint...Donald's boat in Mickey's Toon Town...fountains in DTD...fountain on the bridge between FW and the countries in Epcot...OH...and the jellybean/jellyfish etc. fountains found outside the exit of HISTA at Epcot...and also the River Rapids ride in AK...it's not too scarey for little kids in my opinion, unless they really fear water...because they might get really wet!

Have a great time! Enjoy it all because, like it or not, you will probably reference all future vacations from what happened "when we went to DisneyWorld when (insert name) was 2"!

LOL

 

[javaj]

Ozymoe, Thanks for all those details! We actually went last year when DS was 1. He was too little last year for Ft Wilderness activities you mentioned, plus I did no research last year, I hadn't discovered disboards so we did all the wrong things. We went on the busiest days at the busiest times, but we still had fun! Too funny!

But this year I really think my son would enjoy the petting zoo and the Ft Wilderness campfire. You are exactly right about how we are already comparing "Oh last year he did this, but this year he'll do this, etc etc" I can't wait!

 

[ccalip]

Javaj -
We are in the same boat, unfortunately... I had been debating for months what to do with my vacation hours. I finally decided on WDW and booked our airfare... the next morning, my husband's company announced 3300 layoffs will be occuring soon. Gee, did I jinx it or what? I stressed for quite a while, and realized I was tearing myself apart worrying.... just gotta believe that whatever happens, things will work out (eventually). We debated whether or not to cancel our trip, but decided to go ahead with it... DD4 has never even been on plane before (last 'real' family trip was in '97).

The latest rumor is that they will announce who's affected the 3rd week of June... the week we get back. I am determined not to let it ruin our vacation... the kids are so excited! This will be their first time (and DH and I haven't been since Honeymoon in '91). We will cut corners where we can...

Good luck, Javaj... and wish us luck! Gonna send you a pm...

 

[westjones]

Oh My! I hope things work out for everyone! Seems like lately I am hearing more and more people getting laid off.

I hope everyone manages to have a wonderful vacation with their families (the kids will remember it forever, nothing can ever take that away).

Blessings!
DJ

 

[missydisney]

I was laid off last July. I knew it well in advance but we took our trip last June anyway. We always enjoy our days at Disney and forget the outside world. This year my 22 yr old is paying for the trip. Just so we can all go. Just on a tighter budget. Go enjoy. As a friend of mine always says "Find a Happy Place" and don't think about anything but the great time you are haveing with your family.

 

[snoopyandpooh]

My heart goes out for you. Just go and enjoy your trip, there is nothing you can do about the sitution now, don't let it ruin you and your family's trip. I hope everything will work out for you!

 

[yecats]

Ditto on everything everyone else has said. I was in this type of position last year as well and it certainly isn't fun. Try not to think about it and know that everything in the end will turn out okay for you. Have a great vacation that has been earned regardless of the current situation and I wouldn't call my supervisor until I returned home.

 

[Deb & Bill]

One door closes, another opens. Wish you lots of luck and stay positive.

 

[rcraine]

Sorry to hear about the possible layoff, I hope it disen't affect you.

Anyway how's this for a story, while my wife and I were on our honeymoon in sept 01(yes we were at Disney World). My boss called me on my call and told me that I was being laid off the week after I got back from my honeymoon. So I did what anybody would do in my situation, I went to the Japan pavilion, got an order of Sake and grabbed a seat for Illuminations.

Dont sweat the small stuff, in several years you will most likely not even remember that job, but you will remember your family trip to WDW.

 

[July]

javaj hope you & the family are having a wonderful trip. God bless!

July

 

[disneycrazed139]

Sorry to hear about your plight. I am in a very similar situation. Everyone in my department was layed off several months ago and i was the only one left. Now they have decided to lay me off as well, and my final day is June 4th. I had NO intentions of cancelling my trip which is to begin June 16! Just keep in touch with home and be prepared for anything, including budgeting accordingly in case it is necessary.

I am not going to let it ruin my trip. Just enjoy your wonderful vacation and know you will be able to take care of everything when you return. Plus, you could very well be safe. There doesn't seem to be any point in worrying -- just prepare just in case.

 

[Amberle3]

Wow, this is sounding like a very familiar story.

I had a Disneyland trip planned for mother's day last year. I was laid off April 28. Still went on the trip, had a good time, and now I have my own company.

Phhhttt to the guy who laid me off (to hire someone cheaper, and he's gone through 3 people in that position since then).

Actually it was a very interesting experience being at Disney after having been laid off. On the one hand it was very freeing, knowing that I didn't have to go in to work when I got home. On the other hand it helped to keep souvenir shopping to a minimum!

 

[HenDuck]

Wanted to send some pixie dust and encouragement your way.

While we have not had to deal with layoffs, perse, we have gone on vacation when my DHs business has been very very slow.

I worried about whether we should go or not too, just like you. The problem is that we usually buy our airfare way in advance and then we are kinda stuck with it. So we have gone on more than one vacation that was planned way in advance even though DH's business was slow.

I am the worry-wart in the household and do not like to put things on the credit card.

It has always worked out for the best because, even though we have struggled now and then, we have made those great memories that are priceless. And if we did not have those happy moments to look forward to and back on, I don't know that we would have survived the tough times.

Sometimes the time away with family gives you the added bonus of reminding you what IS important in life - family, friends, joy. Then you can come back home, refreshed, and tackle your day to day affairs.

Good luck to you and enjoy your vacation! You deserve it!