Tacky?

Firstly, I am sorry to hear about the cus as well as stupefied by the ignorance and fear that it would take to not speak to you personally.

There is a mention of internal postings so I don't know what time frame you have but I would definitely keep an eye open and make sure you get a written reference. This is a VERY important issue that needs to be addressed immediately.

Secondly. Anytime I have left a company and the MANY I have had to let go (but I always helped them to find work with others in the field)find it has been the best thing that has ever happpened to me/them as it forces change and advancement that is often missed.

Good luck and certainly keep us posted how things work out.

On another note regarding your employer's tacky style; I had a very bad car accident some time ago, I was broadsided by a firetruck that left me in a coma for six seeks. I had blacked out and amsaid to have driven two blocks before entering a normally busy intersection (but at 11:30PM) and the light had just turned red (I was already completely unconcious due to a prior concussion).

A few days after I came around I was starting to get my bearings and an RCMP officer came in. (Richmond doesn't have city cops just RCMP)

He said he was really happy to see me and that I had survived as he was really concerned when he attended the accident, he was told it was 'hit or miss' with me (sorry bad pun). He then went on to explain that nobody else was hurt even though there was over $30,000.00 damage to the firetruck and my car was a sardine can with the roof torn open by the jaws of life(but it saved me).

He then leaned forward with a pen and book in his hand and asked me to sign the ticket for RUNNING THE DAMN RED LIGHT!!!! :-)

Oh well, the neurologists report proved I was unaware of the light and was out cold, the ticket was signed while I was still not fully aware etc.

What a freakin' nerve! Now THAT's TACKY!

Best of luck

.
I'll second what OZ said. Get a written reference as quickly as possible. Be professional, don't hold a grudge, and figure out where the silver lining lies - and there is a silver lining. If you really want to leave that place with a bang, between now and the last time you walk out the door, be happy. Let others see you walking on cloud-9. Don't be one to project doom and gloom, but rather enthusiastic optimism. Leave them wondering why you're so happy to have lost your job. They will think that you "lost something", but you will know that you've gained an enormous opportunity. And there is indeed something good that will come out of this - and you have to go forward knowing as much and focusing on that - and only that. In a years time, you'll look back and see that it was indeed a good thing in the long run.

Your boss was tacky, uncouth, cowardly, etc. BUT those are things about him, not you. I would suggest that you never focus on him or those things again, but only on you, and only on what lies ahead.

It is so easy to fall into the pessimist trap of seeing yourself as a "victim". We've all done it, and we've all suffered because of it. But I've never seen a person who was a true optimist not able to better himself, not able to achieve a goal, and not able to find the silver lining in everything. If you have a tendency to fall into that pessimist trap, I might suggest that you listen to some self-improvement and motivational tapes every day. (If you want some "listening suggestions", post a reply or shoot me an email, and I'll give you a list of some good ones. I'll bet OZ knows of some good ones as well. And ebay is a great place to find them.) In the very least, it will help you put forth a positive outlook during your next job search - or whatever else that silver lining might make obvious.

I've known people, for example, who have started their own small business after being let go from a job. I've known people to go into entirely different fields - ones more conducive to achieving their true goals and dreams. This is indeed a great opportunity for you, and that's the only way to approach it.

Best of luck to you. No, on second thought, go out and make your own luck happen. You do have the power to make it happen.

Companies that employ morons like this deserve each other. What goes around comes around.

As a parting memo, if and when, let him know what a class act he is. Or is that class ass? I always get that confused.

Companies that employ morons like this deserve each other. What goes around comes around.

As a parting memo, if and when, let him know what a class act he is. Or is that class ass? I always get that confused.

A place I used to work for had several cowardly ways of letting people know that they had been terminated.

1. While the person was on vacation send a letter to them for them to find when they returned from their trip.

2. Phone them at home on Sunday evening and tell them not to come in on Monday.

3. Call them at home after work and tell them not to come in.
They actually fired a person who did not work for them using this tactic as they did not verify the phone number or that they had the correct person on at least 1 occasion.

So, at least your company is allowing you to look elsewhere within the company for a job.

Chas

Nothing surprises me anymore. I don't think there is a corporate IT worker out there today that hasn't been "eliminated" from at least one job.

Use it to your advantage and learn from the experience. Get a great letter of reference and whatever else you can get. And remember for your future jobs not to give too much without getting something in return. You're the one that ends up feeling taken advantage of in the end.

Big companies aren't what they used to be. The names look great on your resume and it certainly is a great experience working for a big company that can afford to buy the latest technologies. Consider this though at your next job. You would be more valuable and less likely to be "eliminated" in the future at a smaller company. Maybe they don't have the cutting-edge technology you might be used to, but they offer more in the way of job security and respect for their employees.

Its better to be a big fish in a little pond than a small fish in a big pond.

In college I was working at a tech support call center for the university. There was an opening for a new supervisor in that call center and I decided to apply for it. I had an interview with my two supervisors and another manager.

A week or two later I was notified by a letter that I didn't get the job! The job was offered to a co-worker of mine. I laughed my supervisor's cowardness and wished the new supervisor the best of luck. Two months later I found a job and started out making $15,000 more now than I would as a call center supervisor.

At my previous employer, my boss had been my boss at an even earlier employer -we had both left and when he found out I was less than thrilled with my new job, he invited me over. I knew his wife, I bought his used computers - we were friends and collegues.

After 3 years, I got the call to come into his office - this was supposed to be about the status of a project. When I came in our HR rep was there as well. That was the big sign, as this project had nothing to do with HR.

There was a written package, which they took turns explaining. I was shocked, and my boss -well he was just on the edge of loosing it. We signed all of the documents, made an appointment for me to return to meet with HR over pensions etc.

He went back to my office with me and helped me pack. He carried my boxes to my car.

We keep in touch even 2 years later. He cared and still does. But I can't say every termination works like that.

I once had an employee who committed a major policy violation - a clear breach with a non fuzzy penalty - termination. In accordance to our rules, as soon as the HR rep, my boss, the CIO and I had a conference, I went down to see him. He wasn't there - he had worked an earlier shift. We had to seize his computer, and he worked in an open area. Though I had asked everyone not to say anything until I had a chance to talk with him first thing in the morning, someone called him on his cell.

He called my home and got my wife. When I got home I spoke with him, and indicated that we would meet first thing - but he would not accept that. He demanded to know what we would be meeting about and why we had taken his computer. He wasn't aggressive, he was scared and confused. I tried to reason with him -I desparately did not want to do this over the phone, but he gave me no option(I guess I could have hung up, but didn't).

I suspect in the back of his mind he realized what was happening, and I had only confirmed it. But it was kinda bizarre non the less. I could have offered to go to his home but thats kind of tricky too - you don't know how someone will react under severe stress.

Terminations or layoffs are hard - its hard to face a crying person and tell them, its not them, its a downsizing. It is of course harder for the person being laid off, but stressful on both sides.

I do think that IM is so way over the top as to be laughable - I wouldnt trust that someone hadn't hack the password.

James

The lack of professionalism and respect to employees never ceases to amaze me. Heal, get a new position and be sure to write a letter to the board of directors and the local newspaper thanking the individual and company for the wonderful way they laid you off.

As the Nick the Headhunter says, "It was a toxic workplace!"

Best of luck on your recovery!

Just as I thought from the start, I am not only cut with
15% of my fellow IT workers, but another 25% of those
left after us by March.

If you think that your job is secure, you had better
update your resume and get ready.

In a past job, my sales manager stated: "If their lips are
moving, they are lying." How true when the CEO of out
Fortune 50 addressed all of us (taken over in an
Outsourcing Deal) and said that we were all highly
valued and a much wanted add to the greater
company.

Yeah, Right.... That and a dollar something will get you
a soda in a fast food joint.

Take my word for it, get your Certs and resume up to
date in short order.

I am even thinking about another career that cannot go
offshore such as HVAC...

Just as I thought from the start, I am not only cut with
15% of my fellow IT workers, but another 25% of those
left after us by March.

If you think that your job is secure, you had better
update your resume and get ready.

In a past job, my sales manager stated: "If their lips are
moving, they are lying." How true when the CEO of our
Fortune 50 addressed all of us (taken over in an
Outsourcing Deal) and said that we were all highly
valued and a much wanted add to the greater
company.

Yeah, Right.... That and a dollar something will get you
a soda in a fast food joint.

Take my word for it, get your Certs and resume up to
date in short order.

I am even thinking about another career that cannot go
offshore such as HVAC...

My right-sizing event was done in person, but it was nonetheless tacky. The CTO called four of us into a room at 2:40 and said, "The Board says we have to show a profit, so your positions have been eliminated." Then he handed out 9x12 envelopes. It was a cold message, delivered in a calm, cool, and rehearsed manner. I ripped open the envelope looking for how much (if any) severance would be offered, while the others cried and fumed and attempted to negotiate with the CTO. Then he said, "We want you to quietly leave the building within 15 minutes. You'll get a chance to come back and get your stuff at a later date..."

What was left unsaid was, "The Board says we have to show a profit BECAUSE...." the CEO had pi$$ed away $15 million in venture capital in the previous 10 months on ill-conceived, poorly executed plans that didn't generate promised revenues, and some of those millions went for severance to some VP-level boneheads who had been brought in to spend that venture capital.

Six months later, the company started rehiring most of the positions that had been eliminated. Tacky? Add heartless, stupid, uncaring to the list of adjectives. And the CEO and CTO are still there, enjoying their huge salaries and benefits, while the 31 people they laid off are still trying to find consistent work.

A lesson from GenX that was learned watching parents getting taken out by their corporations after employees became dependant on them and their retirement plans, stocks etc.- of course the corporations let a whole generation of people fall flat with no parachutes.

DO NOT IN ANY SITUATION RELY ON YOUR EMPLOYER TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FUTURE!

The only person you can rely on is yourself- your skillset- your training- your abilities- whatever you can muster.

It really sucks- I agree- but you have to always keep some work options open and always improve your own abilities to gain employment every day. That is how the working world is now.

What happened should be wrong and socially disproved of- but the stockholders don't care and the company will replace or eliminate your old boss as soon as they possibly can.

The company didn't care about the workers or they would have not sold it. The outsourcers don't care about the workers and your boss doesn't either.

GenX didn't do this to the world BTW, just figured out how to live with it.

One of the best ways is to not go in debt (or get out of debt as soon as one can) and save every cent possible. Also, reduce your needs- if you're already used to buying second hand and have a mortgage you can pay off in 15 years or less stick with it. Then whenever you lose a job you don't have a higher lifestyle that you have to keep making payments on. Invest some for the future but realize you can lose your stocks at any point and have a savings plan that to rely on.

I still think the way you were treated sucks. The best revenge is to stand up and give them a big finger while you continue to prosper. Maybe someday you can send the burgers back when your old boss is flipping em at the local MickeyD's.

Tacky? Yes. Expected as a possibility? Yes, every day- even those of you that think it could never happen.

:)

Where I work - girl in HR was out for surgery/recovery for several weeks. Management used this opportunity to start reassigning her work to others and line up a replacement for her. After two weeks she was shown the door - laid off citing cost cutting/reorganization.

So they shifted some people and ended up hiring someone within a week to fill a vacancy created by this lay-off with a personal friend of the HR director's, who ended up quitting after a week. The HR director took a new job with another agency 2 months later (he knew he'd be leaving sooner or later, so this was probably a spiteful layoff for some unknown reason).

Crummy situation for the girl - was basically lied to at her exit interview. Never given a reason why she was let go - they handled it as a layoff, had her sign the claim waiver so she'd get her severance in return for not suing the place... much cleaner for the company and makes her look better when she's out job hunting. But where we are (public sector), layoff = firing... you don't turn a company around by sacking a $32,000/yr secretary. Not much she can do.

When I was laid off from a big Fortune 100 company, it was along with 2,500 other people that day. We were all called in one by one. Those who kept their jobs were informed verbally, those who didn't got a big thick envelope. My boss handled it very professionally... wasn't a fun day for her either.

I will name name them for you...

Nice work DELL

Yet another reason why I won't purchase their boxes
even if I could understand their Indian support reps.

Well it happened...out of work once again. I was laid off due to lack of work. My former company lost a major client and had to cut headcount.

Logic would think that they would cut those that only worked the account lost. But, apparently logic is not factored into layoffs.

BTW, I was with my last performance review the second highest performer. I guess that did not matter with the office "click" in deciding who was getting the axe.

I am not too surprised how things turned out. I am just going to "roll with the punches" and see what happens in the end. It might give me the push to change careers entirely. I am currently not too fond of IT as a career choice.