More Bad News

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:35 pm

As if I wasn't ballhurt enough, just got the news that there will be a round of layoffs this week at work.

I'm pretty well in line, since I was hired less than a year ago, and I don't have the credentials a couple of the other people do. About my only saving grace might be the diversity. I'm the only guy on the team. But seriously, that's a pretty sh*tty reason.

Trying to figure what the hell to do. If I didn't have these little mouths that need to eat it would be easier...

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:47 pm

Been there. No point in worrying about it (as trite as that sounds) until it happens. It might not end up being you...

Go ahead and start updating a Linked In page and your resume, just in case. Start looking (on the down low) so that you're prepared... but don't zombie around at work like the walking dead, waiting for the chop.

Sorry, man. I hope you can avoid the axe...

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:51 am

DJ_Convoy wrote:Been there. No point in worrying about it (as trite as that sounds) until it happens. It might not end up being you...

He's right. Think the best, but prepare for the worst.

Post by **Kaylee** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:17 am

Well it doesn't necessarily mean what it says on the tin (although as the others say, do be prepared for it and have a copy of your CV ready).

Firstly few companies (IME) work on a policy of 'last in, first out'. People are normally considered on their individual merits and attitude. You may not have the qualifications of the other two, but your attitude may be better or you may produce better work or they may want to move on regardless.

Secondly I've known lots of instances of organisations announcing lay-offs. It normally happens a good time in advance, in the hope some people will jump rather than be pushed. Saves messy scenes.

Thirdly if it does happen I have room in the drawer for you. I trust you're in at least C9 condition with your original box? I'll accept a few decals have probably been applied and your joints may be a little loose.

Nothing a little glue and a magic marker won't fix.

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:18 pm

We can dunk him in rubbing alcohol, rub him vigorously with a toothbrush and apply a fresh set of Reprolabels. Then the only drawback will be his missing gun and premature yellowing.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:10 pm

Dude. I may be decommissioned, but these ball joints can still swivel. I will light up your shelf display like Christmas.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:53 pm

Only because you're a rubbish reissue with a stupid light tube and led.

The original had chrome. CHROME.

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:14 pm

Three words: "Made in Taiwan."

Post by **Kaylee** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 1:29 am

I concede you have faults Spencer, but never the less I shall accept you alongside my knock-off Star Sabre and re-issue Megatron. Periodically I may even transform you.

What do you turn into, anyway? A xylophone?

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 6:47 am

got demoted today and told 'we really need your help to get the new guy up to speed on the job'

almost hurled my keys at high velocity at my district manager

Post by **Kaylee** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 7:02 am

Optimus Prime Rib wrote:got demoted today and told 'we really need your help to get the new guy up to speed on the job'

almost hurled my keys at high velocity at my district manager

Jesus - you actually got the "You're being downsized so train this guy to do your job" line? I thought that only happened in Dilbert cartoons!

Poor you

:(:(

You realise, of course, the secret is to train the new guy to do your job completely wrong...

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:20 pm

Ha- I was up for a "promotion" (actually just officially doing the job I was already doing)- and was turned down for some ass-kissing corporate suck up.

Who they expected me to train.

I refused. I had enough other duties to say "no, you deal with it." The ass-kissing corporate suck up bottomed out in 6 months, was actually fired (getting fired from my place of work is fairly difficult)- they came crawling back to me, offered me the job, and I refused. Turned them down flat. Panic ensued.

Then they asked again and I accepted. But I did promise myself that I would tell them to jump when they came to me initially. Few things have ever felt better than that particular bit of satisfaction.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:31 pm

DJ_Convoy wrote:(getting fired from my place of work is fairly difficult)

You hiring? We're both in the general geographical vicinity, after all...

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:54 pm

Overall, I suppose I work for Princess Cruises, which I assume is ALWAYS hiring, from scut work to high level stuff. The chunk that I work for, however, is pretty much never hiring. It closed off and insular... and while it's hard to get fired... it's much easier to be laid off due to corporate whatnot. I was laid off a year ago when my department was dismantled and merged with one at PCL... then they realized I do like 95% of the work... they strung me along... and eventually officially hired me back.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:42 pm

That's nice.

Ugh. Feeling so depressed about this today that it's just stupid.

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:48 pm

Brother, brother, brother. Seriously, don't let it eat you up inside. I've walked around with the "I'm gonna get fired" look/attitude, and it didn't help me any. It was so depressing... but you have to look beyond the lameness of losing a job for no good reason. It's not a reflection of you or your abilities.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 4:56 pm

DJ_Convoy wrote:Brother, brother, brother.

There's too many of me dying.

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:48 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:
DJ_Convoy wrote:Brother, brother, brother.
There's too many of me dying.

Don't punish me with brutality.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 4:20 pm

Feeling a slight bit better. That may have something to do with taking 1000mg of fish oil each day for the last couple days. The black dogs were big and mean this week.

We've figured that any way you slice it, we'll survive just fine--there's unemployment, there's adjunct teaching, there's the fact that I am a promising candidate for any school looking to build online curriculum.

It's the lack of security that gets me, and a likely loss in salary. This place started me at a good salary that covered all expenses for a 4-person family plus some savings and some hobby money to upgrade musical gear.

Sigh... ah, well, planning to be back on that horse eventually.

Post by **Kaylee** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 4:51 pm

That's the spirit

And there's always a hug here when you want it :3

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 5:54 pm

Got a call from a co-worker this morning. She's out. I'm guessing there's one, maybe two more people in store out of our formerly five-person department, as this job can be comfortably done by three or four, and in corporatethink that means two.

Pins and needles, mates. Pins and needles.

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:02 pm

Keep hope alive!

You'll be fine, Bumble.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:47 pm

Our two senior, most experienced members were cut this morning, leaving three of us, and I have no idea if they'll cut more. Seems to me they will cut one more, but I can't predict.

I guess they were cutting based on salary. I'm a bit wrecked and almost relieved, although the day ain't over. I loved working with those gals. One of the benefits of working remotely is that you don't get office annoyance politics; you just see the best of people.

In any case, if I'm not laid off, it's a nice breather. The company seems to be a sinking ship, though, and I would like to keep hustling for something else. We'll see.

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:58 pm

Unusual that they would cut those with the most senority, so logic dictates that it's prolly salary driven.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 8:28 pm

Yeah, they have made many moves lately that caused me to doubt their judgment. Hence the hustling.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:38 pm

I think you described it best. "Sinking ship".

Whether you make the cut or not, I agree, start looking elsewhere.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 12:47 am

bumblemusprime wrote:Our two senior, most experienced members were cut this morning, leaving three of us, and I have no idea if they'll cut more. Seems to me they will cut one more, but I can't predict.

I guess they were cutting based on salary. I'm a bit wrecked and almost relieved, although the day ain't over. I loved working with those gals. One of the benefits of working remotely is that you don't get office annoyance politics; you just see the best of people.

In any case, if I'm not laid off, it's a nice breather. The company seems to be a sinking ship, though, and I would like to keep hustling for something else. We'll see.

You should keep looking, sure, but welcome to the new economy. Old economy: seniority and experience good, new guy bad. New economy: who's the cheapest?

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 1:23 am

And yet my entire f*cking family wants Romney in...

Post by **Kaylee** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 7:25 am

I assumed that was because he was a More, mon?

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 2:49 pm

Daylight come and he wana go home.