Well today I survived what I think is my 6th round of layoffs, praise God. Im suffering a bit of survivor remorse though. Im awfully glad I have a job but I feel horrible for those that got laid off.
Of about the 80 or so technicians that are in my department for all the shifts, there is about 15 or so left. We've had layoffs before and have lost a few here and there, but this time they hit hard and cut deep. Whats worse, to me anyway, is there are a handfull that were told they have 30 days left. Basically at the end of this month they will be laid off. They get a severance package, but were told if they 'screw' up (and what the definition of that is no one seems to know or want to say) within that 30 days they will be terminated with no severance. Talk about coporate blackmail!
To me there would be nothing worse than to know you are going to be laid off but still have to come to work each day until that time. Seems cruel to me in a way. Yes, they have a job and a paycheck for that long, but every night they have to go home and know that they are one day closer to loosing their job.
I think it sucks, but they may think otherwise. Worse than all of that is the level of tallent they let go. I mean they laid off some really really high caliber techs. It angers me that they let go of some of the people they did. People that have come in each day, put up with the stress and the micro-management and all else, and in return they say thanks by letting them go.
When I started about six years ago the company was a glorious place to work. It often made me happy to think about going to work I enjoyed it so much. I looked forward to it. It was fun, exciting, challenging and rewarding. Now, with all they have done, I cant say I much enjoy going to work anymore. I do because it pays really well and I have decent benefits. I hate having to consider those things too as a reason to stay. Yeah, I got bills to pay and the money is nice, but Ive taken pay cuts before to go to another job that was more fulfilling, but right now I need that money to get my business off the ground. I used to shudder at the thought of leaving the company. Now, its not so hard for me to entertain that thought.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
I'm glad to hear you still got a job man! I've never been in that type of situation before where there were mass layoffs, only the person that was really slacking got let go. If it were me man, I wouldnt feel bad, cause I'm starting to believe that the only person you shoud have to worry about is yourself and those really close to you. Were you really close to your co-workers that got laid off? I'm not trying to be cold, but thats my train of thought lately. Especially since things at my work started coming into my sight that don't really make me happy. Just my .02 man.
____________________ "Men and boys alike love burnouts because they involve machinery, loud noises, and destruction."
I wouldnt say I was 'close' to all of them. A few I am. But its just the thought of them, most with families, trying to provide and feed. Its tough especially with the economy the way it is. I got laid off about 6 mos after I started there then they brought me back about three months later. I know what its like and wouldnt wish that upon anyone.
I really feel bad for them because of what they have been through, what they have put up with and the loyalty they have demonstrated through the whole ordeal. Its crazy to let go of people like that.
I understand what you are saying gr33nlemon, but I feel for those people. I feel horrible for them because I wish could somehow prevent the impact that the layoffs will have on them. I wish I could do something more to help them, especially the ones that have children to take care of.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
Good to hear that you are still on the job.
Things sure have changed in the past 10 years. Now that competitors are shipping more and more jobs off-shore it's tough to hang on. The tax advantages, as well as the lower raw costs of having anything done in the "2nd/3rd world" leave many North American companies with just about no choice but to do the same.
It's not much fun having to issue layoff notices either.
____________________
A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
I have the exact opposite problem. I want to get laid off! I'm becoming unable to do my physical labor job so I have to find another. I'm suppose to get packaged out in the next few months. They haven't got much choice since I'm on light duty, And pretty much just sit on my fat ass all day!
In want my 9 month sever-age package Dang it!
Last edited on Sat Jun 5th, 2004 03:31 am by teamfocus
teamfocus wrote: I have the exact opposite problem. I want to get laid off! I'm becoming unable to do my physical labor job so I have to find another. I'm suppose to get packaged out in the next few months. They haven't got much choice since I'm on light duty, And pretty much just sit on my fat ass all day!
In want my 9 month sever-age package Dang it!
Oddly enough, the company offered severance packages to those wanting to leave. The only difference between those that wanted to get laid off and those that didnt is that those that volunteer get to keep their health benefits for the duration of the severance package time. A manager I know that volunteered got 26 weeks of severance. However the rest only got two weeks plus one week for every year they had been there, and for most that was only a couple of years.
To volunteer and get 6 1/2 months of pay is not too shabby. I wouldnt feel all the bad for the rest if they had gotten a similar package, but I would imagine the average was a month to month and a half of severance pay.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
I remember when my father-in-law got laid if. He had worked at a plant for almost 25 years, then one day they all came to work and didn't have a job anymore. Nobody knew it was coming. I think that would suck more than knowing you only have a month left.
