Wow, my husband dodged another layoff....

[MsPoppinsTX]

I think it is more stressful to deal with the unknown of whether a layoff is coming or not, or at least it was for me. I worked at a large law firm that had 2 rounds of lay offs (one in May and another in August) which I got through so I thought I was safe. Then during my performance review in December, which I was 8 1/2 months pregnant during, was told that I wasn't meeting their expectations and should be using my maternity leave to be looking for a job and would get 2 months when I get back from maternity leave before I would officially be let go. Was there a sudden change in my performance between August and December? If not why wasn't I let go with the mass lay off in August? Fishy to me...but I didn't like that place anyways, and they basically paid me my full salary for 6 months to look for a job and still say I was "employed."

Spent my entire maternity leave stressed about (1) finding a new job and (2) being a new mom without a clue of what I was doing. Fun times. I was able to find a new job and absolutely love where I am now (in house counsel for a great company that is small and provides me with the best schedule to be able to spend lots of time with my little one).

 

[diznee25]

I think it is more stressful to deal with the unknown of whether a layoff is coming or not, or at least it was for me. I worked at a large law firm that had 2 rounds of lay offs (one in May and another in August) which I got through so I thought I was safe. Then during my performance review in December, which I was 8 1/2 months pregnant during, was told that I wasn't meeting their expectations and should be using my maternity leave to be looking for a job and would get 2 months when I get back from maternity leave before I would officially be let go. Was there a sudden change in my performance between August and December? If not why wasn't I let go with the mass lay off in August? Fishy to me...but I didn't like that place anyways, and they basically paid me my full salary for 6 months to look for a job and still say I was "employed."

Spent my entire maternity leave stressed about (1) finding a new job and (2) being a new mom without a clue of what I was doing. Fun times. I was able to find a new job and absolutely love where I am now (in house counsel for a great company that is small and provides me with the best schedule to be able to spend lots of time with my little one).

Yes, it really is stressful. It's like wearing a band aid with someone holding the edge saying, "I may rip it off, or I may not."

At this point they'll either keep everyone who is still there, or close down the branch completely. There were only ever maybe 11 production people at this branch...now there's only 6 left. The "individual" layoffs are over.

My DH said they were also told that the current rental lease (for this branch) is up in Feb. 2013. The CEO is looking into renting something smaller at that time.

So the way I see it, either everyone will still be with the company and help move everything into a smaller building come Feb. 2013, or everyone will be let go. (Or a third option which has been rumored for years; they close down this branch and offer to relocate those who want to stay with the company.)

Ironically, DH and I have already been through this senerio with this company...DH worked for them in Colorado. They closed down the branch and moved us to Maryland. Sooo, we might be doing this again...we'll see. I just have to laugh. It's not funny, but it is.

Oh well, we're just going to try and have fun celebrating the holidays. Our wedding anniversary is next weekend, and we're going to try and not stress about this...at least until the New Year.

diznee25

 

[ZehnJahren]

Weird, sounds like our company. We had 30 laid off at the end of September and a bunch of people were told today that their last days will be in May. My entire group was told today except for me, and I don't know if it's because I'm not in the crosshairs or if it's because they didn't get to me before I headed home to finish the workday. We're an international Fortune 500 company, and almost every day I get an email saying how great we're doing and how "2011 was the best year yet" - but they've decided to move our entire area out of the country since it's way cheaper. So I watch my friends lose their jobs, but see big parties and new construction. It's tough.

Constant speculation and constant worry. Glad I'm a saver and not a spender!!!

 

[Swimalie]

Yes, it really is stressful. It's like wearing a band aid with someone holding the edge saying, "I may rip it off, or I may not."

That's how I have felt for the last year. It is stressful but we're trying to stay positive. In this area there are a lot of jobs but the cost of living is so high it would be tough for us after a few months.

 

[bigmama67]

I think it is more stressful to deal with the unknown of whether a layoff is coming or not, or at least it was for me. I worked at a large law firm that had 2 rounds of lay offs (one in May and another in August) which I got through so I thought I was safe. Then during my performance review in December, which I was 8 1/2 months pregnant during, was told that I wasn't meeting their expectations and should be using my maternity leave to be looking for a job and would get 2 months when I get back from maternity leave before I would officially be let go. Was there a sudden change in my performance between August and December? If not why wasn't I let go with the mass lay off in August? Fishy to me...but I didn't like that place anyways, and they basically paid me my full salary for 6 months to look for a job and still say I was "employed."

Spent my entire maternity leave stressed about (1) finding a new job and (2) being a new mom without a clue of what I was doing. Fun times. I was able to find a new job and absolutely love where I am now (in house counsel for a great company that is small and provides me with the best schedule to be able to spend lots of time with my little one).

There must be something about that two-month time frame. I, too, took a 4 month maternity leave when I had my DD in 2008. When I went back in February 2009, the whole dynamic of the department had changed (I was a Trust & Estate paralegal). Three months, to the day, after I came back, they let me go in a layoff along with 7 others (4 were attorneys). I wouldn't be surprised if they need to keep you employed for a certain amount of time in order to avoid suspicions that they are discriminating against new moms.

Glad it all worked out for you! After spending just under a year at another firm, and then being downsized again, I ramped up my graduate school work so I will be a fully certified teacher after the next semester. Now I get to job-hunt again...but in this case, I actually think being a mom and not 22 years old will help!!