Best Layoff Ever

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January 6th, 2005, 05:20 PM
Stalemate

Best Layoff Ever

Truly.

I was laid off this AM, but in a manner so professional and gracious it was impressive.

The send off was quite acceptable financially, but what impressed me the most was the use of an outside consultancy (Thomson DBM - Outplacement, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, HR ...) to help me along the transition to a new job for the next 30 days.

My department has been fused with another, and they were looking for ways to cut staffing expenses. How they figured out that the only BlackBerry Systems Admin and sole SMS 2003 guru was expendable is beyond my understanding, but I was 1 of 6 people let go. My immediate superior was also let go. I didn't even have a chance to talk to him before he left. The other 4 were at the Toronto office.

The head of finance took the time to explain to me that it had nothing to do about my performance, that I was still to receive the bonus scheduled for next July as classified (superior). The HR ladies were crying. I think they took it harder than I did. https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2005/03/1.gif

I'm just happy they didn't do it right before Christmas.

So, please forgive my lack of activity here, should it happen, as I may have other things on my mind.

I'll be around. ;)
January 6th, 2005, 05:25 PM
NooNoo

oh Adept... I am so sorry to hear that.. but at least you could enjoy xmas.

All you have to do is wait for them to ask you back under short term contract at double your daily rate :D
January 6th, 2005, 05:28 PM
TripleRLtd

A real bummer...https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2005/03/1.gif...again...
Hang in there brother.https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2006/04/1.gif
January 6th, 2005, 05:28 PM
meatwad

Maybe they should cut back on their christmas parties instead of their employees. :rolleyes:
January 6th, 2005, 05:39 PM
shamus

Quote:

Originally Posted by meatwad

Maybe they should cut back on their christmas parties instead of their employees. :rolleyes:

I was thinking the same thing https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2007/09/1.gif
Good luck with the transition a d e p t https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2006/04/1.gif
January 6th, 2005, 06:40 PM
ilovetheusers

Really sorry to hear about this. Hope things look up for you quickly. :sad:
January 6th, 2005, 06:42 PM
PuterGeekGirl

That sucks... sorry to hear it... :sad: :sad:
January 6th, 2005, 06:50 PM
techs

Sorry to hear it. I believe that one one door closes another opens. You will find something.
January 6th, 2005, 07:40 PM
Deity

Damn. :sad:

Good luck with the job search, my friend.
January 6th, 2005, 08:01 PM
Khazad

Damn, that sucks man. Hope you're able to find work quickly.
January 6th, 2005, 11:29 PM
silencio

Quote:

Originally Posted by NooNoo

oh Adept... I am so sorry to hear that.. but at least you could enjoy xmas.

All you have to do is wait for them to ask you back under short term contract at double your daily rate :D

That happens a lot. SMS senior admin, I'd ask for $150/hour minimum on a contract basis.
January 7th, 2005, 04:51 AM
TechZ

A shame adept, hope you recover quickly, guess Hackberry is going into storage? ;)
January 7th, 2005, 08:05 AM
Platypus

Well I am sorry to hear that news adept. But as already said, another door will open, and I hope you end up in an even better situation.
January 7th, 2005, 08:17 AM
Camaro80z

I had the same thing happen to me a year ago right after new years. It took a few minutes to find out I was let go because my boss was crying so hard. I got a call 3 days later to interview for a better paying position (the one I am at now). The funny thing is, I never applied here, they found me. Hopefully you will be as blessed. :thumbs:
January 7th, 2005, 08:30 AM
Ya_know

Quote:

Originally Posted by meatwad

Maybe they should cut back on their christmas parties instead of their employees. :rolleyes:

Ain't that the truth!
January 7th, 2005, 09:46 AM
El_Squid

Sorry to hear the bad news, but I am sure you will bounce back quickly. From what you described, they will be calling you real soon for some "consulting" work at four times your old salary. As soon as they discover they can't support that part of their system, that is. :thumbs:
January 7th, 2005, 10:20 AM
Stalemate

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechZ

A shame adept, hope you recover quickly, guess Hackberry is going into storage? ;)

Corporate property... back to them.

Thanks for all your kind words folks.
January 7th, 2005, 12:42 PM
Pinnacle

Adept, how long did you have this job? I thought you were the person that was out of work for quite a while and then got employed again about a year ago. Was that you?

Anyway, I'm really sorry that this happened, but good news is waiting for you just around the corner.
January 7th, 2005, 12:52 PM
nunob

Sounds like you have a great attitude about it Adept. Good Luck dealing with the bidding war for your services. ;)
January 7th, 2005, 01:26 PM
Stalemate

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinnacle

Adept, how long did you have this job? I thought you were the person that was out of work for quite a while and then got employed again about a year ago. Was that you?

Anyway, I'm really sorry that this happened, but good news is waiting for you just around the corner.

That was exactly it - out of work 11 months, then employed for 13.
January 7th, 2005, 02:09 PM
Archer

Damn thats bad luck mate I hope you get reemployment real soon :sad:

BTW Did you get to keep your office supplies and the Blackberry? :D
January 7th, 2005, 03:04 PM
El Clammino

a d e p t that sucks. I was laid off last year the Monday after Christmas. Crappy time to do it, but like has already been said, at least they waited till after Christmas, and did it with some class.

Good Luck man.
January 7th, 2005, 06:57 PM
Stalemate

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archer

Damn thats bad luck mate I hope you get reemployment real soon :sad:

BTW Did you get to keep your office supplies and the Blackberry? :D

I'm still mourning the BlackBerry.

Do not speak of it. :(
January 7th, 2005, 07:04 PM
Archer

So no more surfing the forums from those cheap cafeterias that you frequent then ? :D:D
January 7th, 2005, 07:05 PM
Stalemate

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archer

So no more surfing the forums from those cheap cafeterias that you frequent then ? :D:D

Not for a while, to my regret. :p
January 8th, 2005, 09:40 AM
cookin chef

That's not good Adept!!! https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2005/03/1.gif
This is like the 2nd layoff for you in just over a year.
I know this isn't the best just happening after Christmas.
Hope you at least qualify for E.I. if you can't find something in the next 30 days.
Maybe you could have a mini-vacation.
Sorry to ask, but who or what is the Blackberry??
January 8th, 2005, 09:48 AM
confus-ed

A blackberry is one of these (or similar as there's a few) ...
http://www.1st-in-blackberry.com/images/bb7100pic.gif
& they do stuff like what it says here

& the situation in general, indeed is a bummer for you Adept ! :sad:
January 8th, 2005, 09:48 AM
Archer

Its one of these http://www.mobiletracker.net/archive...berry_7700.jpg

or is it one of these :rolleyes:
http://hk.geocities.com/fun_cooking/...blackberry.jpg
January 8th, 2005, 10:56 AM
KINGofBLEH

Quote:

Originally Posted by meatwad

Maybe they should cut back on their christmas parties instead of their employees. :rolleyes:

Ya_know last year my division spent over $500,000 on a massive employee reward trip to Toronto and the year before my department spent over $25,000 on a 4-day golf resort outing referred to as an "offsite meeting".

Then in November they proceeded to cut the team in half. Some of my closest friends got axed, including my only backup. I am now trying to get out before the axe falls on me too. Corporate life sucks.

Sorry to hear about that, Adept. You are in my prayers, bro.
January 10th, 2005, 02:39 PM
gazzak

Adept, I hope you removed your modifiacations from the Blackberry before you gave it back ;)
January 10th, 2005, 02:40 PM
gazzak

...and your naked lady collection too :thumbs2:
January 10th, 2005, 02:57 PM
meatwad

It's weird. I've grew calling those black rasberrys.
January 10th, 2005, 02:57 PM
TechZ

heck yeah! I forgot! It became the Hackberry!!! What happenned when you returned it?!?! :)
January 10th, 2005, 03:02 PM
Archer

Come on guys give him a break he just lost something near and dear to his heart :D:D
January 12th, 2005, 02:46 PM
amyb

Oh Adept! I'm so sorry! My layoff was pretty good too. They gave me two months before the layoff. My thoughts are with you! Someone who is still looking! -Amy

Quote:

Originally Posted by a d e p t

Truly.

I was laid off this AM, but in a manner so professional and gracious it was impressive.

The send off was quite acceptable financially, but what impressed me the most was the use of an outside consultancy (Thomson DBM - Outplacement, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, HR ...) to help me along the transition to a new job for the next 30 days.

My department has been fused with another, and they were looking for ways to cut staffing expenses. How they figured out that the only BlackBerry Systems Admin and sole SMS 2003 guru was expendable is beyond my understanding, but I was 1 of 6 people let go. My immediate superior was also let go. I didn't even have a chance to talk to him before he left. The other 4 were at the Toronto office.

The head of finance took the time to explain to me that it had nothing to do about my performance, that I was still to receive the bonus scheduled for next July as classified (superior). The HR ladies were crying. I think they took it harder than I did. https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2005/03/1.gif

I'm just happy they didn't do it right before Christmas.

So, please forgive my lack of activity here, should it happen, as I may have other things on my mind.

I'll be around. ;)