Aw D@mnit.... Laid off today

Optimus

Diamond Member
Aug 23, 2000
3,618
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Argh.

Nothing I could have done to avoid it, they got my whole division in Canada. The whole company is slicing and dicing left right and center.

Still didn't make a whole lot of sense... the 3 of us here in Canada were paid in Canadian $$$, (so 2/3 what our American counterparts make), covered American holidays at no extra cost, and we were some of the best performing members of the team, each with top reviews and great numbers. We also all had at least 2 years with the company.

BUT, I guarantee this was a call made by some stooopid VP trying to salvage his bonus:

"Hey, why do we have a smaller group in Canada? We can cut them!"
"But sir, they are some of our best people, and they cost a fraction of the other guys doing that job..."
"Who cares? Now where is my 10am hooker and whiskey?"

rolleye.gif


I had tried to jump ship internally for the past few months, but with the whole company under the knife no one was hiring anything remotely like what I do / did. And with the market this bad, job hunting outside seemed just as risky (get hired, then laid off there!).
The severance is OK, a couple months. Hope fully enough to find something, although it'll likely pay a lot less because of the market.
Still sucks the big one... we have 2 small kids, car payments, and a mortgage. I'll sell the house before risking loosing it though.

The worst part is I really quite liked it there. Interesting work, good co-workers, and great pay.

Ah well.

I'm seriously even thinking of switching careers... maybe even some school (since when did a 4 year University Bachelor's degree become not enough?).
IT is just such a mixed bag right now... and so unstable.

So - any commiserations? Sarcastic remarks ;) ? Or does anyone know of a job doing high level technical/development support or entry level programming in Southern Ontario? :)
 

Cyco

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2002
4,244
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Sorry to hear about that. Hope something turns up soon.
 

Linflas

Lifer
Jan 30, 2001
15,395
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Sorry to hear that and hope you find something soon. I think a lot of us are feeling like we are on the bubble jobwise at the moment. If I get laid off I will get to compete with the newly laid off Worldcom folks here for a job. It does not make for good sleeping at night.:(
 

Harvey

Administrator<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
35,059
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91
:( Lately, I've been looking for work in all the wrong places, too.
 

quirky

Senior member
Jun 25, 2002
398
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Sorry to hear that :(. switching careers is probably a good call; IT jus isnt reliable. I know someone who has a business license, a real estate license, and two others I forgot just as backup.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Here I am bitching about having to drive an extra 12 miles to work, and you no longer have a job to bitch about even driving to.

Sort of puts things in perspective.

Selfserving execs are serious asshats. Optimus, with your attitude and well, optimism, I have no doubts you'll find something to pay the bills in no time.

My thoughts are with you and yours.
 

Johnlee

Platinum Member
Oct 10, 1999
2,007
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Well, if you move to Southern California I might be able to help. Lmk when you get here.
 

alm99

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2000
4,560
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sorry to hear that...welcome to the club, I myself just got laid off today also. It sucks!
 

Garet Jax

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2000
6,369
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Sorry to hear about you losing your job. Good luck on finding a new one.

A couple months of severance is a great severance.
 

T2T III

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,899
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Getting laid off is very unfortunate. Good luck in your search for another position. Remember: "When one door closes, another one opens."
 

Sepen

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,189
0
71
Sorry to hear..hopefully you can get something pretty fast. I know how you feel though. I have owned my own business for the last 22 years now and this year is probably one of my worst. I feel for you, hang in there.


 

LAUST

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2000
8,957
1
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BUT, I guarantee this was a call made by some stooopid VP trying to salvage his bonus

There is no doubt about that... too many of these guys take advantage of Capitolism that way :(

Sorry to hear about your job man :(
 

Yeeny

Lifer
Feb 2, 2000
10,848
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Aww, I'm sorry to hear that Optimus, best of luck to you and Elita, I know everything will work out great for two wonderful people like you. Keep your chin up.
 

Piano Man

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
3,370
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Man that f*cking blows. Do you want to stay in Ontario? If not, I suggest trying to go to another tech hot spot.