Not the Day I was Expecting It To Be

[theodosia]

Ten minutes after getting to work, unlocking my computer, and laying out my work for the day (the dreaded data entry project from Hell) I got told to come talk to my boss in a conference room.

I'm laid off, effective immediately NOT for cause, but because there's a general layoff for the department, and my number came up.

Through the shock, a few facts that help a little: I'll be getting a generous severance package, COBRA (of course), and an outplacement firm services paid for three months. And I'm also able to collect unemployment, before the severance pay ends if I want (though I think I'll hold off on it).

At least I don't have to do the stupid data entry, is my immediate reaction. I'm working on a more complex reaction, but it may be a while before it reallly sinks in.

At least this weekend, if anybody at Muskrat Jamboree asks me if there's anything new in my life, I'll have something dramatic to say....

Comments

[llennhoff.livejournal.com]

Wow Connie, my condolences. As an occasional layoff victim myself, let me start out by emphasizing it wasn't your fault. There is no rational reason for you to think that, but I know I felt that way each time - that if I had just been even more of a 'star' then I would still have a job.

If you're interested in moving to NJ to be closer to your mom in PA :>), I'll be glad to drop off your resume at Avaya. In fact, they have a branch in Chelmsford as well.

[makaidiver.livejournal.com]

Holy cow! I'm so sorry!

[darthrami.livejournal.com]

Eeep! I hope everything works out okay...

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Yikes!

Best wishes for you finding a great place quickly!

[cofax7]

Fucking hell, I'm sorry. And you've been there forever!

Gah! ::shakes fists of rage on your behalf::

[gingerk.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. That sucks. I'm glad they're offering some support.

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

O.O

dude. nice of them to give you some warning....

[jesseh.livejournal.com]

Holy crap, I'm so sorry! Here's hoping you get to take some break time, and then find something new and awesome with or without the help of the outplacement firm.

[sister-wolf.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Gah, that sucks, but at least the severance package is generous & you'll have some time to find a new position. *more hugs!*

[noradeirdre.livejournal.com]

UGH, Theo! I'm sorry. I'm glad that they're doing OK with the layoff services/severance, but... ugh.

Well at least it's a lovely day to not be cooped up at work....????

Also, how do you not have Mike Rowe or Dirty Jobs in your tag list?

[isilya]

*hugs*

[fjm.livejournal.com]

Huge hugs and what everyone else said.

[aviatrix18.livejournal.com]

*SNUGS* Oh man! My sympathies! *snugs* Call if you need to kvetch or anything. Ernie works for a software/engineering placement company, if you need him to he will bring in your resume.

*SNUGS*

[fufaraw]

I--but--oh. Damn.

I'm so sorry. But may this lead to something excitingly new and good.

And also, damn.

[stevendj.livejournal.com]

I hope you're holding up okay, and good luck with your long-term plans.

[fatoudust.livejournal.com]

Oh, no! I'm so sorry.

Well, with the package, make sure you take some time off just for yourself. You've got mad skillz, so some other company will be lucky to get you.

[sfmarty.livejournal.com]

Oh Connie. More and more I dislike March.

[reginagiraffe]

Eep! What a way to start a day! :/

Do you think you'l have a hard time finding another job? *worries*

*hugs tight*

Good luck!

[akite.livejournal.com]

Jeeze. That really sucks, sweetie. *hugs* Here, you can have my zebra.

[serasempre.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's just...wow. I hope this turns into a boon for you.

[ckd]

Well, pfui.

I will say that I like where I work, and we're hiring for lots of positions; I don't know if any of them necessarily fit for you, but one or more might.

[fabby.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. Thank God for severance. I hope you find something wonderful!

[snacky]

Oh, that sucks so hard. I'm glad you got the good things like severance and the outplacement firm.

I totally get the relief over the data entry, though.

::hugs::

[forodwaith.livejournal.com]

Gah! Sorry to hear the bad news. I hope once the shock wears off a bit you'll consider doing something fun for yourself with the severance pay. (Buffista cross-country road trip?)

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

Sorry about the shock of the news. It's hard enough when you are expecting it.

I know you will find a great job eventually, but I just hope it's soon enough for your needs.

Hey, look on the bright side--you can come visit me in Seattle! *encourages*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_divya_/]

o.O

[betagoddess.livejournal.com]

Wow! Just wow! I'M in shock, so I can only just imagine YOUR shock!

*hugs*

[imkalena.livejournal.com]

*crossing fingers for your terrific new job*

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Oh, that sucks. The good news is that the day after I posted my resume on Monster I got three headhunter calls, so the market is pretty good right now. (At least in Silicon Valley.)

[baron-elric.livejournal.com]

I've been through that several times myself, and it sucks. No doubt about it. Please go treat yourself to something right away, whether edible or catering to a favorite guilty-pleasure activity. Get together with some friends. Take a little breathing time. Then you have my very best wishes for finding a kick-ass new position. And I hope you do so a whole lot faster than I did.

[the-sheryl.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. Wish I had sage advice for you, but I'm not so good with the words...

[malkaesther.livejournal.com]

Ouch, snugs. May you soon find a job with better pay, better benefits, that you really enjoy, with great co-workers.

[katie-m.livejournal.com]

Oh, no, Theo! I'm so sorry. That sucks, at least temporarily.

[cass404.livejournal.com]

Oh, Theo, I am sorry. I am, however, glad that you have good severance and don't have to do the stupid data entry.

Damn...

[gorgeousgary]

**hugs**

Sorry to hear about the layoff. Wishing best of luck with job hunting!

[christymarx.livejournal.com]

Gadzooks! May this lead to something much better.

[veejane.livejournal.com]

Oh here is your entry! You are so far ahead of my game.

Congratulations to us, on being able to face up under adversity. And on having lots of free time.

[farwing.livejournal.com]

wow. i saw veejane's post first but the comment still stands: our former company is way way fubar. *hugs*

[fiorituranotte.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry about the layoff. I hope that you find something better very soon. Take care.

[yhlee.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope better news comes soon, in whatever form.

[janni.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear this--but glad they are at least being decent with severence!

I hate how companies blindside folks with this stuff, and dismiss them immediately. Trust me as an employee, give me a week's notice, and I might actually, like, come up with a manual and guidelines for the folks left behind. But the assumption is that if word slips, everyone will of course sabotage the company first thing.

[dmk.livejournal.com]

I hope you make the best of the situation. You're welcome to come visit us if you'd like a short vacation!

[oracne.livejournal.com]

Pfui. Here's hoping you find a new and better job soon!

[mswagner.livejournal.com]

Argh. Teach me to get a few days behind on the blogs -- everything goes all to hell. Let me know if I can do anything to help.

[rakshathedemon.livejournal.com]

Well, what an unpleasant surprise with which to begin the workday!

You survived this once before; you will again. But how inconvenient!

I'm personally hoping you'll do some SF/fantasy writing in the meantime...