My husband just got laid off.

[Writer]

I am speechless at the moment. It was a complete shock.

[reyd reid reed]

1. Oh man...

I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say.

I'm sorry.

:hug::hug::hug:

[Writer]

It's weird... I don't get it.

We were expecting a raise next year.

[reyd reid reed]

10. They didn't offer any explanation?

:shrug:

That is weird...and it really sucks this time of year. I'm constantly amazed at the callousness of the corporate world. They could've waited another two weeks. Or at least given him a couple of weeks warning.

:hug:

[Writer]

28. They just released a product....

so my guess is they don't see a need for him beyond that...

they gave him severance until mid-March.

[reyd reid reed]

35. Was he a subcontractor?

and that's not a bad severance package, so there is that.

[Writer]

37. Oh no. He was an employee.

Yes, the package gives us some breathing room.

[leftofthedial]

53. wow. Last corp that laid me off gave us zero notice and zero severance.

Corporations often lay off just before the holidays. it's a convenient time for the bookkeepers. If they wait until after the holidays, they are pretty much saddled with the staffing costs for the 1st quarter of the next year.

They rationalize the timing by saying that this way they don't give you the bad news right after you spent your life savings on holiday gifts.

[reyd reid reed]

67. Oh, geee

and I'll just bet that helps 'em sleep at night.

Fuckers.

:eyes:

[leftofthedial]

71. plus, at my last employer, they laid off everyone in the company over 40.

(except for the founder-chief engineer, who owned all the important intellectual property). They made us sign an agreement not to sue them for age discrimination before they'd give us our final paycheck (money we had already earned).

this company was closely managed by its venture capitalist investors.

they *are* fuckers. motherfuckers. vermin. they made a shitload of money during the internet boom (when a monkey with a checking account couldn't lose) and have struck out totally ever since, screwing people right and left along the way. next to king george and his cabal, they are my least favorite five people on earth. I imagine a special circle of hell for them, where they will spend all eternity getting paper cuts all over their entire bodies from the filthy, disease-ridden edges of dollar bills.

[reyd reid reed]

72. Now that strikes me as

coersion...and that you could make a case for signing the waiver under duress and whether you sign on the dotted line or not, they can't withhold pay that you've already earned and you oughta find someone to file a class-action suit against their asses and REALLY make 'em sorry.

Fuckers.

GAH!!!!

[leftofthedial]

73. several of us had a rather pointed discussion with the board

on that very subject.

it just wasn't worth it at the time. We all thought we'd have new jobs within a few weeks. LOL. Didn't work out that way.

[reyd reid reed]

74. How long ago was this?

Not trying to be nosy...

Okay, well maybe I am being a teeeeeeeeny bit nosy...

Couldn't you still file an action?

[leftofthedial]

76. It was nearly 5 years ago.

Since then, a group of 40-plus technology professionals have networked and stayed in touch. There are about 20 of us. Not one has gotten another technology job.

[reyd reid reed]

77. Shit...

I'm sorry...you might be better off out of the field, though. It's so unstable. Especially in this state, it seems.

Which sucks.

:hug::hug::hug:

[leftofthedial]

78. I've been working in the music business ever since

It doesn't quite pay the bills though.

I never really thought that at my age I'd be pondering once again what I want to do when I grow up.

I'm lucky though. I think I can make a clean new start. I'm just not sure doing what . . . My problem is I'm interested in too many things.

Meanwhile, I'll keep writing songs (maybe one will get cut soon), performing (my recent/current 8-week sinus infection put a big crimp in that though) and teaching (I could use about 10 more students).

[reyd reid reed]

79. What do you teach?

What kind of music?

??

[leftofthedial]

80. I teach

beginning and intermediate guitar

beginning, intermediate and advanced keyboards (piano)

beginning and intermediate music theory

beginning, intermediate and advanced songwriting (my main thing--I've coached some pretty successful songwriters)

beginning, intermediate and advanced music business


I also have a couple of vocal students


I teach popular musical genres, not classical.

But presently I have few students. I need to rebuild my teaching practice.

I ran a music seminar business for three years and have been Executive DIrector (pro bono so far) of a nonrpofit that does music mentoring for at-risk kids. (thus accounting for the five years since the layoff)

[reyd reid reed]

82. Sounds like you've got a lot to keep you busy...

You ever think about teaching out of one of those places like Graner or Meeker or whatever the equivalent is up there?

Of course, they probably wouldn't pay much. Hell, they'd probably charge you, actually.

#2 son needs to take piano. He keeps putting it off and putting it off -- not because he doesn't want to learn, he just hasn't had the time.

He's gonna have to make the time in the next six months to at least get started...

[leftofthedial]

84. busy starving

at the moment

but at least I love what I do

[reyd reid reed]

89. ...

:hug:

It'll get better. It'll pick up, you'll see.

[plcdude]

2. what does he do?

maybe we can find some other opportunities.

[Writer]

4. Very very skilled software engineer...

yes, THAT area...

[Christa]

13. My hubby just called me

and told me his boss, a skilled software engineer, got laid off ... honestly.

[Writer]

29. Wow...

unbelievable.

[AllegroRondo]

21. If you live near St Louis, my company has openings

for programmers in Java, Perl, J2EE, and Websphere. Maybe some others, Im not a programmer so I dont know all the "hot keywords" they are looking for.

[Writer]

26. We live in Colorado...

and my husband works in Perl, C and C++.

[meegbear]

45. He should learn Java and .NET during the downtime ...

better his chances.

[Writer]

46. Those would be very easy for him to pick up... it's just another language to him.

[LSK]

92. those are extremely hot languages right now

Check out craigslist jobs section.

http://denver.craigslist.org/sof/

[ikojo]

65. AllegroRondo...where do you live?

I live in St Louis County.

[AllegroRondo]

85. Im actually in Jefferson County

but its close enough

[ikojo]

87. Jefferson County is considered part of the St Louis

Metro area. I lived in Festus/Crystal City for a couple of years in the late 1980s. It was OK but I prefer St Louis County. When I lived in Festus/Crystal City, I had to drive too far to do anything.

[AllegroRondo]

90. Festus has come a long way

they now have their own Wal-Mart, Loewes, Home Depot, and they just opened a St Louis Bread co a couple months ago.

[RetroLounge]

32. Our company is hiring now

in Milwaukee area. Delphi, Oracle, SQL. Will be switching to C# and .Net next year.

Let me know if he wants a link...

:hug:

RL

[Writer]

36. I'm sure my husband will keep all opportunities open.

We are trying to stay in Colorado, if that is at all possible. Go ahead and send the link along... I'm sure he'll appreciate the info.

Thanks! :hi:

[LSK]

91. n/m

[Starbucks Anarchist]

3. I'm so sorry, Writer.

:hug:

[BarenakedLady]

5. Oh no...

I'm so sorry. :hug:

[billyskank]

6. Oh my god!

I'm sorry! :hug:

:cry:

[Patiod]

7. So sorry to hear it

Hope at least he has decent severance. It's a scary thing to have happen - we've been there.

[Writer]

9. It was just so sudden - and it was following a record quarter for...

the company! I simply don't get it. And why before Christmas?

[Skittles]

43. Writer, they do othat so their bottom line at the end of the year looks better

I kid you not. I'm curious, will your husband's job and his boss' job now be done in India?

[Writer]

44. No, I do not think it will.

And they just posted a record quarter so... I think this has more to do with projected performance and whether they need certain individuals for the next year.

[Skittles]

47. I feel for y'all

I've been in this field a long time, laid of three times, very, very stressful.....harder when the manner in which it is done is so friggin' heartless

[BikeWriter]

8. Oh ####! I've been there and done that. It sucks...

:hug:

[SacredCow]

11. Sorry to hear that....

I was there 3 years ago, myself. :hug:

[Hugin]

12. Well, ain't that the pits...

I'm sorry to hear of it!

Writer, I hope it will work itself out.

:hug:

[Writer]

30. It WILL.

I am sure of it!

[miss_american_pie]

14. I'm sorry

What an awful time of year for this to happen.

[lildreamer316]

15. What the hell?

Man, I'd be getting angry right about now.
I'm sorry dear.:hug:

[Writer]

31. We were initially shocked...

but we are now trying to get active on this. We have until mid-March, so we will be well until then.

[cwydro]

16. What is wrong with them?

Does anyone in these "leadership" positions ever stop and say, "Uh, wait, let's wait till after Christmas." ? Geez. I'm so sorry.

[IdaBriggs]

24. Actually, its done *before the end of the year* for tax purposes.

It has more to do with fiscal reporting than the holidays. :(

[Writer]

Yes...

that's correct. Although I don't understand what the problem will be given how well his company has done this year. Go figger.

[cwydro]

50. Oh dear

somehow that makes it worse...

[Maestro]

17. I am so sorry.

And why do it now around Christmas time? Companies have no heart sometimes. :hug:

[Crazy Dave]

18. Things like this really piss me off

Employers demand at least a two week notice before an employee quits or they promise retaliation but yet they never think they should hold themselves to their own standards. On the plus side there's always a lot of job openings after the first week in the new year. Everybody quits after they get their Christmas bonus which is one small way of people getting to stick-it to the man.

Good luck to your family :hug:

[alarimer]

23. I really, really hate the corporate world

for crap like this. Heartless fucking assholes. And they wonder why there are workplace shootings.

[ikojo]

66. What is this Christmas bonus you speak of?

I have worked since 1984 and NEVER, NOT EVEN ONCE have I gotten a Christmas bonus. The MOST a company has given me for Christmas is a $50 gift card to a local grocery store.


Do regular NON MANAGEMENT employees really get Christmas bonuses in 2006?

[Crazy Dave]

68. Last year I received $800 cash for only three months work

I even told them I was quitting at the beginning of the year. This year I've been working for myself and plan on giving me a $1200 cash dividend then taking the week off until the new year.

[Haole Girl]

19. Hugs to you....

..and your husband. :hug: :hug:

When my husband lost one of his software jobs a few years ago, things looked pretty bleak for a couple of months. Just before the last week of pay, his best friend came through and helped him find employment. Don't be afraid to use any or all contacts you might have. I wish you both well...and don't lose hope! :hug:

[Writer]

38. We are blessed with many wonderful friends here...

so something just might work out... we shall see. :)

[ThomCat]

20. I hope he finds someplace better.

:hug:

[Bullwinkle925]

22. I'm sorry.

Hopefully he will find something quickly. Until then, I will keep you in my thoughts. Keep your head up.

[SPKrazy]

25. Oh Damn!

I'm so sorry writer

I think the economy really sucks right now

software engineer-let me guess, they are outsourcing?


Grrrrrrr

so sorry!

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[Writer]

40. Well... I'm not sure... they've actually had a hard time with their India folks...

I think this was just something they decided to do after product release.

[momophile]

27. So sorry to hear this.

Hang in there. Things will turn around.

[BluePatriot]

33. Hugs!

Sorry to hear that. It stinks being arbitrarily jerked around by life. I hope things work out for the best for you and your husband.

[Left Is Write]

34. I'm sorry.

:hug:

[crispini]

39. I advise he join linkedin.com right away.

It's a great networking site for us techy types. If you're interested, PM me and I'll give you my username over there. I have a great network and have helped a couple of people get jobs through the site.

[Writer]

41. Sure. I'll forward to him whatever info. he could use.

Thanks :hi:

[Efilroft Sul]

55. Indeed.com and simplyhired.com are good sites for job searches.

They've led to a few interviews for me, and I'm not even looking all that seriously at the moment.

Good luck, Writer, from one writer here to another! Keep us all posted on your husband's soon-to-be-successful job hunt.

[Patiod]

56. I've passed these along to my SO & my brother

who are both looking for work.

Thanks.

[Beausoir]

42. I am very sorry. What a terrible time of year to do this to people.

Heartless.

[dogday]

48. I was laid off on New Year's Eve

Boy did I get drunk that night.... Man what a freaking bummer... I am so sorry....

[REDKING]

49. I hope things work out

for you soon,all the best........Rk

[buddhamama]

51. i am sorry,

that stinks. :hug:

[u4ic]

52. I'm sorry, Writer

I'm glad you have a couple of months leeway at least...fingers crossed that hubby finds something better. :hug:

[Writer]

54. Yeah, I wish it were me and not him...

it would give me a greater sense of control in the matter. But because it's not me, I'm just going to have to wait and see. :)

[applegrove]

57. Tough Stuff. Sending you vibes.

[skygazer]

58. Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry

Does anyone remember when working hard and doing a good job meant security in your life? What a tough world we live in. I hope he's soon in an even better position. :hug:

[Writer]

59. That's true. Life in America used to be a meritocracy, now it's a plutocracy.

I wonder if it will ever be the former again.

[bigwillq]

60. How awful.

I am very sorry for you.

I am sending my best wishes and vibes.

Hang in there.

:hug:

[caty]

61. I've never understood

how these businesses can lay people off just before Christmas without at least some warning. A friend of mine got laid off last week from DTE. She had been there for over seven years and had no idea this would happen. And, they told her it would be a permanent layoff. She is 58 years old and is worried no one will hire her because of her age, even though she has experience in business, legal, and medical office work. I understand why some people wait to do their Christmas shopping a few days before Christmas. They want to make sure they have a job before they spend a lot of money on presents.

[wildhorses]

62. good grief

:hug:

[uppityperson]

63. well dang it all. What a lousy thing to do and lousy time.

Hope he is up and going again soon and doesn't take it too hard.

[ikojo]

64. It sucks at any time of the year but to be laid off

in the winter and look for a job now, REALLY sucks.

Last year at this time the company I work for laid off 17 people...Merry f****n Christmas folks!

What kind of work does your husband do?

Good luck. I know it doesn't feed or pay the bills but here's a DU hug and wishes for finding a job soon.

:hug:

[Whoa_Nelly]

69. So cold-hearted! Am so sorry about this!

:hug:

[Sugar Smack]

70. I'm so sorry, my sweet.

I know you'll be strong for each other during this time. This is such stunning news. I wish you both peace and sanity; it's so hard.

:hug:

[leftofthedial]

75. I'm sorry, Writer. It's a real shock.

Capitalists, unregulated, are destroying our country.

[QMPMom]

81. I'm very sorry. I hope he finds something soon.

[donheld]

83. I'm so sorry

You will be in my thoughts.

[av8rdave]

86. So sorry

sounds like it was very unexpected. Hopefully this will ultimately lead to something better

[NewWaveChick1981]

88. That truly stinks...

:hug: I'm really sorry. :pals: Couldn't they have waited at least until Dec. 31???

[FedUpWithIt All]

93. This happened to my ex this time two years ago...

He is a project manager for an HVAC company. They called him back in the spring only to turn around and do it again. Because of the previous lay off, he was having trouble getting unemployment again. With the second lay off they tried to get him to stay on call in exchange for continuing his medical (he was the one carrying our children). He accepted until he found another job. He received no pay for his work for a couple of months. Complete bullshit.

Most of the time it has to do with bringing down totals at the end of the year. Shameful and callous.

I am very sorry this has happened to your family. :-(

[GoddessOfGuinness]

94. Oh no!

What a lousy fucking thing to do to an employee at this time of year! I'm so sorry... :hug::hug::hug: