I got laid off today.

Oerdin · December 17, 2002, 17:24

It seems my boss has decided to give me a early Christmas present in the form of a pink slip; not just me either since 25% of the work force got the same notice. There were only 16 employees working at the company so that means only 4 people got laid off but still I wish he could have waited another two weeks until after the holidays were over.

I've only been working there for four months and I don't have any bills so it's not so bad for me, but, two of the other guys are middle aged and have families to support plus one of them had just bought a house. I would have thought the ethical thing to do would have been to at least tell the employee what was coming so he wouldn't have gone out and bought a house.

When I asked the boss why he was letting us go he said I'd been hired on the expectation the company would win certain contracts. The contracts didn't come through so now I was being let go. What really pisses me off is right after I got hired two other companies called me for interviews and I told them I had just got a job. If the boss had told me this job wasn't secure I totally would have taken one of the other two instead!

I think employers at least owe an employee enough to be honest with them and tell them if there is a danger of a lay off or not.

Six Thousand Year Old Man · December 17, 2002, 17:25

Sorry to hear that

Oerdin · December 17, 2002, 17:27

double post

Bereta_Eder · December 17, 2002, 17:28

Sorry about that Oerdin.

Hey at least look at 6000yearman's avatar to lift your spirits

And I agree that employers owe it to thei employees to be more straightforward.

I got laied off from secondary job I had without any notice once. (Me and all others since it went bust after the greek stock exhange plummeted - but still they could warn a bit). luckily that was for my spare money not my basic work.

they must warn. law must make them

Imran Siddiqui · December 17, 2002, 17:31

You can sue them because you relied on their promise and they didn't tell you that it was based on certain contracts coming through.

That's how to keep 'em honest, but it might not be worth it.

Oerdin · December 17, 2002, 17:32

I do have some money saved up plus I went and filled for unemployment today so money isn't an immediate concern. It's just the pride that's hurt I guess.

BTW 6k man you have a nice avatar.

Asher · December 17, 2002, 17:32

Oerdin: Sorry to hear about that

paiktis22: If they warned every time they thought layoffs might be needed, don't you think that would cause employees to consider a warning as a "guaranteed impending layoff" and quit to find a new job? The last thing a company that's struggling needs to do is replace workers who quit because they thought they'd be laid off. If anything, it'd push the company further to the edge.

SlowwHand · December 17, 2002, 17:32

25% is 25%, no matter the numbers; especially when you're one of the 25%.

Skanky Burns · December 17, 2002, 17:33

Commiserations.

Oerdin · December 17, 2002, 17:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
You can sue them because you relied on their promise and they didn't tell you that it was based on certain contracts coming through.

That's how to keep 'em honest, but it might not be worth it.

California is an "at will" state meaning they can hire or fire anyone without any reason.

MichaeltheGreat · December 17, 2002, 17:34

Well, I employ people, and I agree with you - there's a lot of chickenshit and dishonesty with marginal companies trying to hire people, and companies who take a downturn and try to conceal that from employees until the axe falls.

What is ironic is that a lot of the same employers ***** about employees looking for jobs, having low motivation and loyalty, etc.

Sorry to hear that, especially before the holidays, and especially on such a crappy day outside.

TCO · December 17, 2002, 17:34

Oerdin, sorry about that. Good luck finding something else. Don't dwell on it too long but move on. Your employer may be a snake but realize it goes both ways (you too fooker). Employee (unless a slave or under contract) has the right to leave at any time also. I've gotten the pink slip too. Happens.

MichaeltheGreat · December 17, 2002, 17:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Oerdin

California is an "at will" state meaning they can hire or fire anyone without any reason.

There is an exception to that, but ONLY if you were induced to move to the area from out of town in reliance on the job - but that one has a tough standard of proof (essentially have to prove fraud)

Bereta_Eder · December 17, 2002, 17:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Asher
Oerdin: Sorry to hear about that

paiktis22: If they warned every time they thought layoffs might be needed, don't you think that would cause employees to consider a warning as a "guaranteed impending layoff" and quit to find a new job? The last thing a company that's struggling needs to do is replace workers who quit because they thought they'd be laid off. If anything, it'd push the company further to the edge.

yeah you probably have a point Asher. I was just saying it out of annoyance.

although there has to be a way to reach a middle ground somewhere. actually i think it has but is it being implemented? it's another story.

FNBrown · December 17, 2002, 17:36

I was laid off about 8 months ago... managed to find a new job pretty quick, though.

Still, it's a crappy feeling when it happens to you. Seems like your taking it pretty well - best of luck with your new job search!

Provost Harrison · December 17, 2002, 17:40

It's a **** isn't it. I am in a position where I can be laid of at whim at any time with no hope of being able to find any employment, at least not quickly. It's like living in limbo. The world is crap.

Adam Smith · December 17, 2002, 17:46

Sorry to hear about it.
Its dishonest, in my opinion, to hire people on the expectation of getting a contract without making them aware of that fact.

Oerdin · December 17, 2002, 17:47

The best part about only working there for four months is my resume doesn't need that much work to be updated. I guess I'll be posting it on monster.com today.

My mother told me I can think of this as an opportunity to do something new. 've always wanted to move to Europe; do you folks think that is feasible in the current economic climite? I'm a dual national so I can legally work in the EU, but, culturally I'm an American and I've only been to Europe for one short holiday before.

Oerdin · December 17, 2002, 17:49

Also in which countries can a college educated fellow who, unfortunately, only speaks English find work? I guess I'd have to go to the U.K. or Ireland.

Arrian · December 17, 2002, 17:50

I have a friend up in Boston who recently encountered a similar situation:

After working for his company (a small engineering firm) for 4 years, he came in one morning to find a letter informing him he was let go and he was to leave that day. No warning whatsoever. Justification: we thought we would get the contract but we didn't. Last hired, first fired.

Good luck finding a new job.

-Arrian

FNBrown · December 17, 2002, 17:51

Well, I'm an information systems manager by trade (and, not to shabby at it, I think...) and I've never had too much trouble finding work. I think the longest spell of unemployment I've ever had was three weeks.

I sort of prefer the no-union, right-to-work model over any sort of collective bargaining, guaranteed-employment type system - because I can usually command better wages and benefits than I could otherwise, and I let my resume be my job security.

Still, getting laid off blows, especially when it's simply a factor of the company being mismanaged. I was laid off for basically making too much money - I had worked my a$$ off at my last job for four and a half years, earned several raises and promotions, and then was basically let go with 10% of the company (of approx. 5000 employees - HR was like a morgue that day) even though the corporation had just reported record earnings.

Then again, I guess something's gotta be done to keep a fat bottom line while the CEO and President are out nepotistically employing every relative they have and buying two corporate jets...

Boris Godunov · December 17, 2002, 17:53

Sorry to hear. One of my worst fears. I was going to post a thread about getting a surprisingly large Xmas bonus, but that'd be in baaaad taste now.

Good luck, hope things work out.

Bereta_Eder · December 17, 2002, 17:53

Quote:

Originally posted by Oerdin
The best part about only working there for four months is my resume doesn't need that much work to be updated. I guess I'll be posting it on monster.com today.

My mother told me I can think of this as an opportunity to do something new. 've always wanted to move to Europe; do you folks think that is feasible in the current economic climite? I'm a dual national so I can legally work in the EU, but, culturally I'm an American and I've only been to Europe for one short holiday before.

Well things are not very good right now. But that doesn't mean anything. It's jus more difficult. I hear that computer specialists are very much wanted though. A friend of mine earns sums in Holland right now from that. Next appear to be financial "wizards" and managers of companies.
Being American has nothing to do with anything. Just develop a bit of stomach if you're going to work in "antiamerican" countries (France excels)

They won't say anything to you but you may hear comments about the US

But you have been well prepared from Poly so it will all seem kid's play to you

(joking)

Bereta_Eder · December 17, 2002, 17:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Oerdin
Also in which countries can a college educated fellow who, unfortunately, only speaks English find work? I guess I'd have to go to the U.K. or Ireland.

Nope you can go to other countries as well. It all depends on the company and the work you will be doing. Espacially if it's an american multinational...
(although knowing the language will be a big bonus)