Almost a month ago, I was downsized.

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: rivan
I was 'laid off' on September 28, effective September 30. That's 'we like you, but you're fired' for this company.

Then, when I sent out the 'I've been canned, don't email me about projects after Friday' email, a wave of panic reverberated through the other offices I work with. Noone who works here who can pick up my projects, noone with the skillset.

On my last day, I was offered a 3-week extension; I negotiated a bonus as a little extra cushion for the job hunt. I accepted - didn't have a new job yet. Fast forward 3 weeks, today was to be my last day. Yesterday, I was offered my original job back. I'll be back in on Monday.

Hooray for corporate foresight?

Rivan, hopefully you didn't spend that bonus money. The company probably is going to come ask for it back.

i doubt they will, that was under the 3 week extension deal. if they did, id refuse and keep looking for a new job. id bet they will hire or "promote" and have rivan train him tho. ive trained every one of my replacements under the guise of "assistant" hehe. usually it was a money thing, sucks.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: jjsole
I suspect one or two really lazy employees in the dept. went to bat for you behind the scenes once they found out you were getting canned and would have to pick up your work.

Fixed.

 

[KeithTalent]

Nice, congrats man! :beer:

KT

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: Evadman
How can you possibly be secure in that position any more? I would be constantly worried about getting laid off again. There better be a big ass raise.

I have concerns in that area; but when the offer was extended, there were apologies and a very specific reference to "not feel like I've got a target on my back."

I'm taking that statement with a grain of salt, but there are other changes afoot (including a probable move to another, more appropriate department) that make me feel far better about the whole thing.

Originally posted by: rh71
your management couldn't see the need for you before all this happened? WTF?

Right - that's the most bothersome thing. I don't do a great job of selling myself in the workplace - I didn't think I really needed to; that was apparently pretty naive.

That said, most of the projects I'm doing deal with people outside this office. I've got no idea who sees what revenue, but I know this office is the one paying me, so that probably figured heavily in the whole debacle.

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
Nice, congrats man! :beer:

KT

:thumbsup: :beer:

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: her209
Rivan, hopefully you didn't spend that bonus money. The company probably is going to come ask for it back.

Could they even do that? Even if they could, it seems like a really stupid thing to do considering he's apparently critical to their functioning.
Their re-offer is independent of his retention bonus. no court in the land would side with the company on this.

Employeer can always ask, doesn't mean the OP has to give it back.

 

[Zstream]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: jjsole
I suspect one or two really lazy employees in the dept. went to bat for you behind the scenes once they found out you were getting canned and would have to pick up your work.

Fixed.

This man speaks the truth!

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: Evadman
How can you possibly be secure in that position any more? I would be constantly worried about getting laid off again. There better be a big ass raise.

Same with me. I'd still try to get out ASAP.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: jjsole
I suspect one or two really lazy employees in the dept. went to bat for you behind the scenes once they found out you were getting canned and would have to pick up your work.

Fixed.

No way. Lazy people generally don't have that kind of influence unless the manager is a complete moron.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: jjsole

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: jjsole
I suspect one or two really lazy employees in the dept. went to bat for you behind the scenes once they found out you were getting canned and would have to pick up your work.

Fixed.

No way. Lazy people generally don't have that kind of influence unless the manager is a complete moron.

Ahhh... this is a manager that tried to fire someone that he has nobody in house that can do his work. I am going to have to go with your answer of "complete moron".

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: jjsole

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: jjsole
I suspect one or two really lazy employees in the dept. went to bat for you behind the scenes once they found out you were getting canned and would have to pick up your work.

Fixed.

No way. Lazy people generally don't have that kind of influence unless the manager is a complete moron.

Ahhh... this is a manager that tried to fire someone that he has nobody in house that can do his work. I am going to have to go with your answer of "complete moron".

I can see your logic.

All too well.

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: rivan
I was 'laid off' on September 28, effective September 30. That's 'we like you, but you're fired' for this company.

Then, when I sent out the 'I've been canned, don't email me about projects after Friday' email, a wave of panic reverberated through the other offices I work with. Noone who works here who can pick up my projects, noone with the skillset.

On my last day, I was offered a 3-week extension; I negotiated a bonus as a little extra cushion for the job hunt. I accepted - didn't have a new job yet. Fast forward 3 weeks, today was to be my last day. Yesterday, I was offered my original job back. I'll be back in on Monday.

Hooray for corporate foresight?

Rivan, hopefully you didn't spend that bonus money. The company probably is going to come ask for it back.

They can't do that.

Well, they could always ask. He could just as easily say "no".

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: rivan

Originally posted by: Evadman
How can you possibly be secure in that position any more? I would be constantly worried about getting laid off again. There better be a big ass raise.

I have concerns in that area; but when the offer was extended, there were apologies and a very specific reference to "not feel like I've got a target on my back."

I'm taking that statement with a grain of salt, but there are other changes afoot (including a probable move to another, more appropriate department) that make me feel far better about the whole thing.
...

Management always lies. They'll lie with a big ole smile on their face. They'll be lying when they say with apparent heartfelt sincerity that they wouldn't lie to you.

Glad you temporarily survived the bs.

 

[BriGy86]

Good story but start saving and find another place to work. If/when you do let us know what company it was and what you did there.