Bad news and good news
Part of the good news is that since they're eliminating my job, I get a severance package and will also get my unused vacation (haven't used any so far). I can also collect unemployment. ("We won't stop you from being able to collect." Gee, thanks!!) I'm convinced that part of why I was chosen is that I'm of the age that I can collect my company pension without penalty (but not my 401k or social security). So for at least the rest of 2009, I'll have as much income as if I were working, only I won't have to deal with the day-to-day politics and stress. And since the income side of it will be covered, I won't feel rushed into "I HAVE to get another job NOW." I can chill a bit, enjoy a leisurely life for awhile, and then decide what I want to do when I grow up - if anything! If this had to happen, this is as good a time as any, since the kids are grown and self-supporting and our expenses are manageable. Still, I would have preferred to go out on my OWN terms! Another upside is that I'll have more time to train and bond with Sammie. AND I won't have to get up at 0 dark 30!! As Dale says - this is just the next phase of our lives! |
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| Sorry Chris, but at least you aren't being dumped without compensation! Now let's hope the state has the money for all the unemployment they are getting swamped with. Here people can't even file due to back log, computer problems, phone problems, etc.
On the bright side, it will be nice not to see the sunrise from inside an office! |
sorry - I think 
A year with no work commitments and I might finally have four trained dogs - well knowing me I would have like 6 trained dogs..... If you can collect the pension without a penalty nothing stops you from doing so and then finding another job does it? and then you sort of come out ahead? I would take advantage of all the required human resources training they have to offer, you never know what you will find out. |
| Before too long you will see it as all good news!!!
I was out of work all summer and sort of stumbled on a MUCH better job! It will work out and like you said the time to bond with Sammie will be awesome! |
| I agree - sorta bad, sorta good news.
Take the time, consider it a vacation, do the stuff you put off because you never had time. Definitely great timing for Sammie. BTW - how do you not use your vacation time????  |
got sheep wrote: BTW - how do you not use your vacation time????
Dawn, NORMAL people don't show/trial dogs so don't HAVE to use vacation days. 
Chris, I fail to see the downside really. What a wonderful opportunity to leisurely decide what you want to do next. Yes, on your terms would have been better. But all told I think it's probably a blessing in disguise 
Best wishes, Kristine |
Been there, done that and three years later there are no regrets. 
I, too, was fortunate enough to have a good severance package. People were getting cut almost weekly and the environment was miserable. Being "downsized" was a blessing in disguise. 
You know I'm loving the time I have with the dogs and doing volunteer work. There's a whole new set of friends and interests now. Enjoy your early "retirement" as long as you can. Great opportunities can present themselves when you least expect them.  |
Donner's Mom wrote: Before too long you will see it as all good news!!!
Ditto ... Enjoy yourself. |
| So sorry this happened ...but I think everyone is right! ...and it sounds like you already see the possible positives that will come of this. Big hugs! |
| So sorry Chris. Hopefully this means a great window of oppurtunity will open soon. |
Horrible news.  Good news! 
Which is which, nobody can tell. |
| I agree with all the other posts... sorry to hear you are getting cut... great to hear you are not being dumped with no options/income. I do believe this is going around everywhere these days. My sister was told her contract may not be renewed -- but the date to find out isn't untill May. So here she sits not knowing if she will have a job or not come May.
Keep your chin up... and enjoy the time off while you can!! |
| That sucks, especially that it was unexpected and not on your terms, but as everyone has mentioned, it is great that you are seeing the positive side of it all, and really maybe it's going to be something you'll look back on as the best thing to have happened.... |
| Thanks, everyone! I do see it as more of a positive than a negative. The past few years haven't been my happiest at work (boss is an idiot) so given all the facts, this is the best of all possible worlds.
Dawn, as for my vacation - we have to use all we're entitled to every year, can't carry any over. So I'm just talking about 2009 vacation time. Knowing me, I will EVENTUALLY go crazy just being home every day and will do something at least part time, but it's a nice feeling to know I don't HAVE to - at least for awhile. I plan on leisurely enjoying the summer. |
| Severance package for a year, no work and hang out with the dog all the time? That's not too shabby unless you really loved your job. I think you'll do great getting a new job because the pressure is off. You can relax on interviews knowing that it isn't imperative that you have to take the first offer. Good luck! |
Drezzie's Mom wrote: Dawn, as for my vacation - we have to use all we're entitled to every year, can't carry any over. So I'm just talking about 2009 vacation time. Whew, you had me worried there! I was picturing no vacations for the last umpteen years.... |
| Wow. That's too bad but there is a positive side like what you said. It's gonna be a nice summer for you. I keep hoping that my husbands job stays for a while longer as more and more people get laid off. |
| Like everyone else said, sorry about losing your job, but glad you got some good perks with losing it! |
| been there, done that, bought the tee shirt and then burned it! Seriously, the one thing I can say is that when a door closes, others always open, it's just up to you to keep your eyes and ears open to see it.
When I was laid off in February of 2001, I was pissed! for about 30 seconds, then I silently said to my self, "close your mouth, open your ears, see what you can get out of this, remember you were looking for a job when this one came along and you looked the entire time you were here". I set to looking for a job as if it was a job, and Yes, I do believe in KARMA big time. The current job I have (I LOVE my job) actually called me and asked me to come in for an interview, I had not applied, they found me! It had something to do with my experience working in non profits and Electric Utility business experience (they found my resume online at monster or yahoojobs?). I went in and interviewed, had several other second interviews set up the following day for Stanford University jobs, when these guys called me at 5:00 the same day as the interview and offered me a great job, great insurance package, retirement package and more money.... Heck yes, I 'll take that job. I'm still here, I now have the greatest boss, some great co-workers and while I'm a civil serv. now, and will probably have to give up some pay, I will willing do so! Chris, good luck, smile, keep your chin up, start looking right away, you will have less desparation in your demeanor and will have better choices and chances to decline if it's not the right fit. Sometimes employers really do us favors and don't know it! L |
It sounds like you were well taken care with the "downsizing perks". 
ENJOY the time off!!! I am ALMOST - envious.  |
| I couldn't have worded it better than Tyler's Mom. Same thing happened here to both of us several years ago. Except I happened to be 1 step ahead of my boss & turned my notice in (which thoroughly pissed him off!). At the time I was really worried as I am the type of person that has to know that all my ducks are in a row & all bases are covered. For the longest time I had been grumbling about working 10 hours a day, 5 days a week with an hour commute total each day. Not to mention my working conditions had deteriorated after my bosses divorce. No time to enjoy my dogs & they were getting older. They were going to die before I had time to enjoy them & spend more time with them. Now I have a job 1-1/2 miles from home 5 days a week for 6-8 hours a day (depending on the time of year) & best of all.......the people I work with & for actually appreciate what I do!!!! Same with my husband. He has a job he enjoys much more now. I was harder on him as he has worked his way up the ladder for a company for 31 years when they decided to "restructure". Too young to collect his pension (52 at the time) without a BIG penalty & not old enough to really retire! He found another job with much less stress & that he likes alot better. 3 years after the losing the 1st job, the company went bankrupt & EVERYONE was out looking for a job while my husband already had his. Life is too short to go to work each day & really hate it. |
| Wow, Chris, I'm just now seeing this thread and I have to say it's a blessing in disguise. You will enjoy some well deserved time off and not be rushed to find a new job.
I am in a similar situation right now and am trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up so I can find a new job. In the meantime, I am enjoying the time with my wigglebums. We're working toward our TDI certification which I've been talking about doing for years and just haven't done. Plus, I'm doing a lot of other things that I always said I'd do but never took the time. 
So, enjoy it while it lasts! Make it count! |
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