I saw this coming, but still.
I got laid off.
Worse, I was not laid off, I was fired. I suddenly became the worst employee ever when our customers went bankrupt. God, these guys are slime. I'll make sure anyone I've ever known never does business with these guys. Forever.
I had an 10AM meeting. They took me to a conference room and told me the meeting was canceled.
I get two weeks as technically an employee and one month severance, more than I thought I would get. The big dog manager read the number with a stupid little smirk as if it made him feel better. Couldn't look me in the eye. My boss wasn't even there. Coward.
I didn't cry. I was too shocked, I was too angry. I was too disappointed.
This was my first real, permanent, grown-up job and I failed. Failed.
I should go back to ask people for leads or something, but after I skulked out in my sunglasses, I don't ever want to go back. Maybe I'll call my boss. Maybe not.
I feel like I am going to puke. My hands are shaking. I took an empty morning bus home and walked the other half-mile in 3", stupidly expensive heels because I couldn't even get my key in the ignition. I would never wish this on anyone.
So, there you go, Miss Liz Whatever-Your-Last-Name-Is, cheer away. I got fired because I was the mid-20s, bottom on the pole and you, as the #1 personal finance expert, are a millionaire, at least in 2006 California real estate.
I need a drink.
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- DogAteMyFinances
- 20-something, recently debt-free, married and laid off. I'm trying to balance frugality, life, and job searching.
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53 comments:
I'm very sorry. That really sucks.
I am so sorry!!! Even though you thought it was coming, it doesn't make it any easier.
Take care of yourself and give yourself a pat on the back that you have been so smart with your money.
Once you get over the initial shock and anger, I hope you can take some of this time to enjoy yourself,you will get another job and be back in the day to day before you know!!
tina
I am so sorry. It sounds like you got majorly screwed over.
On a more positive note, please know that you're a great writer. Keep on bloggin'.
Man, that is a serious bummer. I'm sorry to hear.
Don't be afraid to mourn this loss for a couple of days.
Oh Dog, i'm so sorry. And I can't believe they fired you, those assholes.
So who is going to get your car, since you just left it there?
Definitely get some leads.
And do call your boss. Don't burn any bridges, and make sure he can be a good reference for the future.
For now, drink up, mourn away, cry if you want.
But you're financially secure, Senor Dog has a thriving business, and just keep in mind, you didn't fail. It's not your fault.
I am so very sorry.
I'm sorry :-( I got laid off a couple weeks ago (from my first adult job as well), and I know how much it sucks.
Oh my God, that sucks! I'm sort of confused, though: they claimed that you weren't doing your job adequately and therefore fired you, rather than blaming the situation on the general economic climate and laying you off? If I've understood the situation correctly, that was a really, really d*ck thing to do to you.
Damn. Don't think about your next move yet, just drink.
Sorry. Get the anger out of your system and don't burn bridges.
The next thing is to make sure you keep the COBRA insurance in force. It will be expensive but if I recall, you indicated you have some chronic health problems. As long as you never let your insurance lapse, your next insurer cannot put the 'pre-existing we won't cover your expenses for a year' on you.
My office-mate came here from a company several years ago where there was LOTS of bad blood among various employees. One of those employees ended up getting hired here. Fortunately neither report to the other because there are still bad feelings between them.
Help your hubby grow his business for the time being. Hopefully this will be a blessing in disguise for you!
Good luck!!
Oh, I'm so sorry.
Give yourself a few days to wallow, and then follow up with your coworkers for leads. No one is going to blame you for being upset.
And you didn't fail. This didn't have anything to do with you and everything to do with your company.
Can you help Senor Dog out with his business? You mentioned he might need more employees...
Ugh, I'm so sorry it came down this way. How ridiculous that they needed to make it a firing instead of a layoff.
And PA's right, this isn't your failure, this is your company's failure to treat people like decent human beings should.
Oh! I'm so sorry to hear that! What a terrible way for them to go about it. However, it seems like you have a great education and lots of experience under your belt. I wish you lots of luck!
Once the emotions pass, get busy. Call or catch-up with anyone - build relationships and share your need for work and your welcoming all input.
File for unemployment IMMEDIATELY.
Then get searching. The best part about this is now you have the opportunity do find your bliss. Anything is possible, the world is helping to push you where you need to go.
I guess that means - I'm not sorry for you, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead of you.
Oh no Dog, I'm so sorry!!! What awful news. Take care of yourself and be grateful you have cash saved and no debt. Good luck!
I'm so sorry. That's terrible.
*virtual hugs from a totally random stranger*
From someone who has been laid off before--and felt the exact same emotions you described--you did NOT fail. It's not you, it's them. For real. Hang in there, and I'm so sorry this happened to you.
Sorry to hear that; You sound like a very ambitious and well-educated person, I hope you get a new job soon.
I'm so sorry! Take the time you need to process this, but please do not think you failed! Unemployment is at 8%, you are not alone. And don't forget all those famous people who were fired and then did amazing things.
My other advice, once you have processed this (and had a few drinks) call your boss and follow-up with anyone you think can help you get another job. I'm afraid you will regret it if don't.
Give yourself 3 days to wallow. Only 3 days. Then, go out and find something else to do. Either a new job, volunteering somewhere (public libraries and schools always need help), something! Just don't sit around--I did that the first month after I was laid off and it was really hard to get back into "real life" and start looking for a job again.
Also, can you appeal the firing in some way so that you can get unemployment benefits? It might be worth giving a lawyer a quick call to find out. A good friend of my husband's got fired in a pretty similar way and he was able to appeal and win unemployment benefits.
I'm so sorry to hear this. :( Go drink, get a pint of ice cream, wake up late a few mornings and then hit the road and find a temp agency. You didn't fail, this just means there's something much better out there that's worth your time.
I'm so sorry, you must feel terrible. It's strange that they would "fire you" but then give you a severance. Be careful that the firing wasn't meant to disguise a layoff and as a means to deny you unemployment benefits. Firing for cause means no unemployment for you. I just read that many companies are trying this tactic right now to save on their unemployment insurance. Time to cover your butt, here is the article I read on the topic
http://www.wisebread.com/laid-off-make-sure-you-get-your-unemployment
Don't let them screw you, gather as much documentation as you can. Hugs hon.
I am so, so sorry to read your news. Others have already given you good advice re COBRA and unemployment. It doesn't matter whether they called it a firing or layoff, you will be able to collect unemployment. It's not much, but it will pay for the COBRA.
It doesn't matter whether you're in your 20s or your 50s (like me), losing a job is really, really hard. Thankfully, there is no stigma attached to it any longer. You have lots of company these days.
Drinks are definitely on the menu on a day like today. When the VP of our parent company announced they were moving our company to another state and all 75 of us were going to lose our jobs (half right away, my department in 6 months), we all went out to drink after crying in our offices.
Keep us posted. And go with your hubby to pick up your car before those jerks see it in the parking lot and think you're lurking around the building.
Wishing you all the best for a better future,
Barb
@ everyone. Thanks for the kind words. I've been surprised at the support of my friends, and well, all the bloggers.
@ unemployment benefits. I have no interest in unemployment.
Fighting my evil ex-employer is not worth $1000/month to me. It would only make me look worse. We've all made mistakes, so it would be ugly. Now I really feel for that poor pregnant co-worker who got laid off last round.
Besides, I could do way better than $1000/month just helping Senor Dog part time.
It doesn't really matter if I was "fired" or "laid off" except to management, who can make it my failure and not theirs.
I cannot say anything more heartfelt than what the other posters have said.
I can however, offer some advice:
1. If you have 2 weeks left, make the most of it and collect ALL THE DOCUMENTATION you need to make a timeline and record of what you have done at the company so you can keep your resume updated.
2. Don't leave anything personal on their laptops/items, purge all browsers, clean up your files, delete your emails etc
3. Don't burn bridges, everyone knows you've been fired, so collect everyone's email addresses who can help.
4. If your boss is a coward, who cares. He/She can still help. Ask to speak to them privately, don't lie, but say that you are definitely shocked/hurt by the treatment, however you respect their decision (even if you don't), ask for a recommendation letter and his contact info.
They'll be pretty grateful to give that to you, to avoid a meltdown or you screaming at them and/or making them feel guilty.
They just can't help but execute what they are being told to do, like puppets.
Good luck Dog. Let us know if you need any help -- brokeinthecity @ gmail dot com. Am always here.
Go for the unemployment!! My former boss collected it even though he became self-employed doing freelance work. Take what you can get. As I said in my earlier post, it will pay for the COBRA.
so sorry that this happened to you!
getting fired doesn't mean you failed, in this climate some companies choose firing instead of laying off people for thier own reasons.
all the best with whatever you decide to take on next!
I'm so sorry to hear that. It is terrible how they treated you.
God, that sucks. I'm so sorry.
My friend Jillian got laid off as well (also twenty-something), however, after the initial shock she realized it was one of the best things that has happened to her career. She ended up become free-lance and found that she got to spend more time with her family and more time doing the things that she loved about her job, all while getting near the same salary. I hope that in the end you can find something that is just as awesome.
But for today: Let's drink!
Very nearly the same thing happened to me last month, so I empathize. Please don't be hasty to dismiss unemployment. I never thought I'd be in a position to be applying for it, but that's what it's there for. Also, the stimulus package is paying 65% of the COBRA cost (which is often very pricey) for 9 months, so definitely look into applying for that with your former employer.
ugh, that sucks. :( I'm sorry...
I'm sorry! That was me in January - living in Dallas, in my twenties, soaking up the corporate world, and laid off. Although unlike you, I had no idea that I would be let go. I just started my own business and I'm happier than ever. The new opportunities that are going to come your way are going to be much better than what you had anyways.
I'm so sorry! That is just awful and it sounds like they handled it terribly.
Don't beat yourself up about it. You didn't fail. Be good to yourself and for now, have a drink or two.
Take care!
Sorry! =(
I know the feeling. After you've had a bit of time though I hope you can look at this as a positive. I jumped straight from college into my first job with no break and have been working ever since. When I was laid off I saw it as a time to do some of the many things I had hoped to do. I got to do some traveling, got a chance to sleep in a bit (definitely do a bit of this), and just contemplate what I really wanted to do with my life!!!
Good luck! You and Senor Dog will be fine. It's just a sucky way for companies to treat the employees that help make them successful. If you do go back to corporate I hope you find a company that respects and values its employees better.
Losing a job is never fun, but then again think about it this way....now you have the opportunity to find a better position. Your character is your most valuable asset and I'm sure you will land something great!
Dog, you're not a failure! Don't think like that because it will only make you second-guess yourself. You are a strong, independent, intelligent woman who can and will do bigger and better things. Screw the people who didn't have the foresight to keep you around!
That being said, I'm sorry you've lost your job! Keep your chin up and put foot to pavement, as they say, and start making contacts to get a new job. Get your resume together and document what you accomplished while you were with this company. Certainly take a few days to cool off, but don't burn your bridges with this company, even though that's what you want to do. You still want to use them as a reference. You may hate them, but be the bigger person because it will work out for you in the long run. Prospective employers don't want to hear that you didn't get along with your previous boss because of this or that. They hear you can't get along with people and that's that. Maintain civil relationships.
Good luck to you!
you should post your story on our blog- HowIGotLaidOff.com we just streted like 6 weeks ago--found your blog on a google alert--good luck and sorry to hear about this :(
No matter how "prepared" one is for this, you are never really prepared for it. Vent away. You're hurt, disappointed and angry--all valid emotions. Tomorrow, go apply for your unemployment benefts--oddly enough, being fired will make it easier to get them. Then touch up your resume and move on. And thank god/lucky stars/whatever that you are debtfree and Senor Dog is still on the job. Take care and know we're rooting for you.
I'm so sorry!! My heart goes out to you! *Hugs*
Don't wallow for too long. You're too smart and good for that. No matter how awful it feels remember you're worth so much more.
Sorry to hear about that! Especially that everyone hid behind so many things rather than owning up to it.
Definitely give yourself some time to get over this. I've only been fired once and it was a huge blow. I know it may feel like you failed. But this isn't your failure. I hope you can remember that.
Hope you got that drink.
PS. I suppose it's not terribly comforting, but I'd like to point out, at least you got your finances in order before all this happened. Imagine if this had happened a year ago!
Okay, okay, I know. It doesn't help. But eventually it might.
Dog- Your PF family is here for you. I hope you reconsider apply for EI. It can open up a lot of free training and such for you. It may be just the break you need right now to gather your thoughts and find something you really enjoy.
You didn't fail. You are an amazing person and the 34 comments before mine are a testament to that.
Sheeeee--it! Sorry Dog, that really does suck. Drink up.
Although your feelings of anger are completely understandable, you don't want to do burn any bridges. Why? 1) You will want a reference from your former boss, 2)you never know if you will find yourself working with anyone from this company in the future, and 3) bad mouthing your former company or boss in a job interview is a huge no no and reflects negatively on you not them.
Losing a job is like the death of a dream. You'll go through all the stages of a death -- denial, anger, sadness, depression, and acceptance. Expect all that and you'll come through okay. Again, just don't burn any briges.
I really can't add anything to the other comments but I too am sorry this has happened to you.
I've been fired twice before and yes the first time I got fired from my first real adult job it really sucked. The last time I got fired it was a blessing in disguise. You are not a failure, yes this does suck big time.
Get angry, get upset, be bitter. Give yourself a few days to wallow. The file for the unemployment and like others said, make sure it's not for "cause", get what you deserve, and start dusting off the resume.
Dog, I am so sorry you are out of a job. Please don't think that you failed--you didn't. Monday, at my own place of employment, they fired 3 experienced professionals--one had been with the company for 23 years. It is happening everywhere to really good people. Don't burn bridges! You may need references or contacts. Get your unemployment and Cobra. Hope you let us know what you decide to do.
Sorry for your loss. Good luck in your future job..there's a lot of folks in the same boat right now...don't wallow but get back in the game..you have opportunities ahead I'm sure.
I listened in on some web seminars on "fire proofing" your job, and the advice there was to take 5-7 days before doing anything. Enjoy yourself, don't look for a job, take a vacation. With a calm mind and better perspective on where your network is and what you can do next, you will be unstoppable. I hope to not see posts for that time as well.
Can't wait to see you bounce back from this! I know you will!
I am SO sorry to hear this Dog. However, note that it is your company's failure, not yours. You know that you were an exceptional employee and by firing you now claiming you were not just shows their true colors.
You will rise again. That is a fact.
$hitty for sure :( if you find yourself in DC, holler and i'll buy you a drink. or twenty.
I'm so sorry to hear this. I was let go about two months ago and I was a total mess for the first few weeks. I agree with several of the posts to see it in a positive light and that this could be the beginning of endless possibilities. All the best!
Shitty as their shady method was, the thing about adulthood is that everyone experiences getting laid off at least once in their lives. But you are young so you have nothing but good things ahead of you. As someone who has also been laid off, I can honestly say that one day you will look back on this perio d and realize that it was the best thing to have happened. It won't feel like that in a week's time but eventually you will recover.
you didnt fail. the economy failed. at least now you have experienced the first layoff/firing. and it wasnt a firing since you got severence. it was a layoff. we all get it several times in life. your strong and wil make it thru this.
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