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Community => Watto's Junk Yard => Topic started by: Jim on November 3, 2005, 04:53 PM

Title: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out *Updated*
Post by: Jim on November 3, 2005, 04:53 PM
Well I got laid off today after nine years on the same job.  I have til the middle of December.  The only good news is that I will get nine months severance will all my benefits.  If I come up with something somewhat quick it will be a bonus and I can bank that severance pay.  Alot of us have felt it coming especially from such a big corporation that had to lay off 6000 over the last couple of years.  Its kind of a relief since I am so buried at work and was just thinking how it would be great for all this crap to just disappear.  I have enought contacts so I am not that concerned yet.  I plan to enjoy the holidays for once in my life and take a few months off unless something rolls on my lap. 
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Ryan on November 3, 2005, 04:59 PM
Congrats, I guess. Good luck finding a new job. And try and have fun this holiday season.  :)

I know my Dad has been getting stuck in the same boat the last few years, he has so much crap to do at the holidays, and they don't treat him nearly as good as he deserves. I've been trying to get him to find a new job for awhile now, but for some reason he won't even though he  really hates his job.
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Mister Skeezler on November 3, 2005, 04:59 PM
Well best of luck, but seriously, enjoy the severence package. It might be the longest vacation you'll ever have!  ;D
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Victor_Von_Doom on November 3, 2005, 06:13 PM
At least you will have time to look for a new job while getting paid  8) Enjoy the "vacation", and I hope everything works out for you!
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Reid on November 3, 2005, 08:05 PM
Best of luck Jim.  :) Hope you enjoy your "Vacation".
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Scott on November 3, 2005, 08:30 PM
Good luck with everything Jim!  There is a bit of the career change in the air around here...sometimes like you said this can be for the best.  Its good you'll be getting paid as well :)
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Morgbug on November 3, 2005, 09:31 PM
Wow, my condolences on the loss of your job and congrats on your extended vacation.  You don't work for NorthWest airlines, do ya? 

I'm sure something will work out and hopefully sooner rather than later.  I went six weeks without a job for a bit and while it was nice golfing, it was stressful having a mortgage and not having a job (My wife was working).  Yeah, I know, six weeks isn't that long).
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Jim on November 4, 2005, 09:55 AM
Like I said, all my salary is still in place minus my ST and LT disability which will actually put a few extra pennies in the pocket.  No I didnt work for the airlines. I hate flying to begin with nevermind being around the damn things.  I worked for a certain Food Company that is the largest in North America and is owned by some damned cigarette company.  That part of it always pissed me off, since my Mom died of Lung Cancer. Not only do these companies make billions but we kill millions.   >:( Well long story short, is that 3 of the shareholders in these 3 companies are breaking up some of the relationships with one another and it is becoming nightmarish.  We took a hit a few years ago that I survived and my company will be hit again sometime within the next year or two if they havent closed permanently to a cheaper job climate.  It seems to of been a constant job interview and combining jobs till people were burnt out. 
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Darth Slothus on November 4, 2005, 10:39 AM
Hmmmm....holding a job that long then getting laid off really sucks. Getting Laid off is crap-you don't even do anything wrong and lose your job. I had a job for 4 years once then one day a guy shoved me from behind knocking my lunch all over the floor and I snapped, threw him through a set of double glass doors and...got fired. I'm in my current position for 13 years and havn't snapped yet. GL finding new employment-enjoy the time.
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Brian on November 4, 2005, 10:58 AM
Sorry to hear about that Jim, but hopefully things will work out for the best.  Absolute best of luck in finding something new, and even better.  In the meantime, hopefully you can enjoy the severance and time off.  All the best...God bless.
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Famine on November 4, 2005, 05:52 PM
Hmmmm....holding a job that long then getting laid off really sucks. Getting Laid off is crap-you don't even do anything wrong and lose your job. I had a job for 4 years once then one day a guy shoved me from behind knocking my lunch all over the floor and I snapped, threw him through a set of double glass doors and...got fired. I'm in my current position for 13 years and havn't snapped yet. GL finding new employment-enjoy the time.

Reminds me of an episode of Angel where an employee snapped and killed another guy because he forgot to replace the toner...

Anyway, Congrats on the extended vacation!

Kevin
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Darth_Anton on November 4, 2005, 06:33 PM
Sorry to hear that you're out of work. Although you're kind of relieved, if you need to feel better, be thankful you weren't my wife. She got fired while in the hospital due to health complications durring our second pregnancy.
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Tracy on November 4, 2005, 09:04 PM
Jim -- sorry to hear about the layoff -- but am glad that you will get a nice severance package.  Think of this time as a blessing -- when else will you get to spent so much time with your children while they are young?  My husband was off for 12 weeks for back surgery and though it was hard he really tried to soak up every minute with the kids.  Good luck -- I hope everything works out for you.
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Ben on November 4, 2005, 11:37 PM
I had the same thing happen to me earlier this year, though it wasn't this close to the holidays.

Best of luck, Jim. Things turned out better for me when I got handed my walking papers, and I'm sure the same will be true for you.  :)
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: CHEWIE on November 5, 2005, 12:12 AM
Sorry to hear, but sometimes these things turn out for the best, and unlike many people, you are getting a very good severance pay.  Enjoy some time off, and good luck in your endeavors.

 :P
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: JesseVader08 on November 7, 2005, 01:19 AM
It sounds like this is a mixed blessing for you, Jim.  It's stressful to lose your job before the holidays, but it sounds like you'll actually get to enjoy them this year.  Good luck with the job hunt in the new year.   :)
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Jim on December 19, 2005, 08:00 PM
Well for being out of work for a short time.  One week to be exact (I used my balance of Vacation and Personal days to get out before December 31st). I received a couple different offers this week with a couple more interviews lined up.  I thought I would get no bites this time of year but it seems I will probably have my choice of jobs by the New Year.  The bonus is that the one job is closer to home with a 50% raise to what I am getting now.  The only downfall is the travel.  Up to 8 weeks a year. Some trips lasting 2 weeks :(  Tough with a young family.  But an incredible opportunity.  Plus I still have 8.5 months Severance and a Bonus from my old job to bank.  Thats a sh*tload of army builders 8) Actually my wife and I have some incredible medical bills from the last 1.5 years to payoff so this could be a blessing.  So what is everyone elses thoughts on travel with children at home?  I have never been a big fan, but my job would make me a Senior Project Engineer for North and Central America.  And at only 36 this is a huge job for someone my age. 
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out *Updated*
Post by: Lady Jaye on December 19, 2005, 08:15 PM
I think all signs point to an opportunity that should not be passed up!! This is one of those times in life that could never come back!! I mean 8 weeks out of the entire year is nothing!! I think the bonus of having that severence pay completely free to pay off bills, the added money saved by working closer to home, and the more money coming in providing security for your family would outweigh the minimal time spent away!! Don't pass this up!!
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out *Updated*
Post by: Tracy on December 19, 2005, 08:48 PM
Jim -- this sounds like it is an incredible opportunity for your family.  While 8 weeks out of the year doesn't sound like a lot -- from someone whose husband travelled when our first born was an infant -- two weeks at a pop can be really hard on your wife (and you too)  If you have family close by it will certainly help her out -- but it makes for very long days when you have to tend to small children by yourself all day and night :P.  My husband gave up substantial bonus pay so that he didn't have to travel when the second baby came along.  He decided on his own -- he was tired of being away -- though it was only on race days -- he felt like he was missing out with the kids.  The upside is the financial security and opportunities that this job offers.  It sounds like its a great chance for you to get ahead.   A lot of it might depend on how well your wife feels like she can handle being a single mom at times and what kind of support system she has.  Its a tough call :-\
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out *Updated*
Post by: Darth Slothus on December 20, 2005, 11:35 AM
Jim....I'm not gonna give you any advice, this situation merits that only YOU can decide what's best for you and YOU'RE family(as opposed to someone else saying what's best from the outside). I'm sure you'll handle everything just fine, Happy holidays! :D
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out
Post by: Tracy on December 20, 2005, 01:36 PM
So what is everyone elses thoughts on travel with children at home? 

Jim -- I would never presume to tell you what to do.  I was merely giving you my thoughts from personal experience.  I hope you were able to take it in the spirit that it was intended. :)  I imagine that this must be a very difficult decision for you and your family.  God Bless.
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out *Updated*
Post by: Scott on December 23, 2005, 03:18 PM
First off, congrats on the new gig Jim.  Seems like change has been in the air around here and I am very glad to see it work out.

Second, about the traveling, I think it all depends on your wife.  My last job had me gone 1-2 times per month for up to 3-4 days a week pretty much non stop.  The only time I wasn't traveling much is when we had local projects.  But then it was driving instead of flying.  I know my wife hated it and I started looking about the time our 2nd came along.  Being the economy wasn't too hot and having two babies, I wasn't too keen on doing the job change.  So, I can understand your apprehension, best of luck to you and yours ;)

As far as the job, I agree it sounds great.  Part of the reason I switched my job is that I now have a chance to move fairly soon (3-5 years) in to a much more lucrative and advanced position. 
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out *Updated*
Post by: Matt_Fury on December 24, 2005, 03:10 PM
That kind of travel doesn't seem too bad as to what I've had to do with my job in the past.  At least they aren't sending you to Afghanistan or Iraq for a year minimum.
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out *Updated*
Post by: Jim on December 24, 2005, 06:18 PM
Well an update from what happened.  I have had a formal offer but my wife thinks I should pass and I need to think this one through.  Even with the 50% raise and the future possiblities. The job is structured to be Senior MGR which is a fairly new position from a growing Italian based company.  The plus side is that after 3 plus years I would have 5-6 people doing this job and I would be managing these accounts through my own department.  The bad is that I would have all the high end big accounts which would include all of North America, South America, Puerto Rico, Mexico, parts of the Middle East and China.  The clause in the contract is that it would be a minimum of 8 weeks, not to exceed 16.  Plus there is an outside chance of being away from my family for up to 3 straight weeks at a time.  Aside from being away for that amount of time, I am not too fond of traveling to the Middle East (mainly Saudi Arabia) and some of the more poorer regions of South America.  For one thing I dont want to be part of another countries Civil War. Plus the Middle East just scares the bejesus out of me right now.  Not a very good time to be a Westerner. I just dont feel too welcome in those parts of the World.  I have til the beginning of January to make a decision.  I have two other jobs that I am going to push hard on now for a backup.  One is a small Engineering Firm while the other is another firm doing contract work for NASA which seems pretty interesting and keeps me in the Country. 
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out *Updated*
Post by: JesseVader08 on December 24, 2005, 06:22 PM
I certainly don't envy your position Jim - it's tough when there are so many factors to take into account.  Some big positives and big negatives.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Happy Holidays, Now pack your bags and get out *Updated*
Post by: Matt_Fury on December 24, 2005, 08:15 PM
I know you think that the locations you're travelling to are pretty risky, but don't let that stop you.  I've experienced a couple of those cultures and they are great.

Good luck with your decision Jim.