Goin' into early retirement....

neebelung · 06-13-2009, 10:14 AM

(temporary retirement, that is)...

Welp, I got laid off yesterday.

We had our 4th (maybe even 5th... I've lost count) round of layoffs in the last few months, and after 8 years, 8 presidents, a Lean initiaitve, plant downsizing and I can't even COUNT how many previous layoffs we've been through over the years, I finally fell victim.

I'm not as freaked out about it as I thought I'd be. While it still felt like a kick to the gut at the moment it happened, it wasn't a total surprise. In the last 10 months, our Engineering Department has gone from 4, to 3, to 2... and now there is 1 (other departments have been cut even futher). In truth, the only part of the company that HASN'T seen any cuts are the upper managers/Directors... right now, there's literally about a 1:1 ratio of Managers to Staff.

So I've got a decent severance package, and I know I'll get at least 3 glowing letters of recommendation... right now I'm just going to take a little bit of time and figure out what I want to do. I'd been with the company for so long, and in different positions, that I really just morphed and moved where the company needed me to be and took on as much training as they'd throw my way. Now I just need to see where I can put what I've learned to the best use.

In the meantime, I'm gonna go visit my parents later this week (first thing my Dad said when I called them was "If I send you a plane ticket, will you come out for a few days?" so I figured this is as good a time as any.. though I'd imagine West Texas is blasted hot this time of year )

So

to my early (albeit temporary) retirement.

Lamnidae · 06-13-2009, 10:41 AM

it's funny how sr/upper mgmt doesn't get cut.

Sorry about your luck, but enjoy the time off/break.

Take care Mrs. Neebs.

shmike · 06-13-2009, 10:43 AM

Sorry to hear that Neebs.

Glad to hear you got a decent severance and it sounds like you are making the best of it.

Enjoy your time off and good luck in your future searches!

Amber Lamps · 06-13-2009, 10:46 AM

Welcome to the party!!!

Sorry to hear about that. At least you'll have plenty of time to ride!

CrazyKell · 06-13-2009, 10:48 AM

Aw sorry to hear that Neebs. Sucky to get laid off and from the sounds of it you enjoyed your job.

Any chance of getting called back? Do you have employment insurance there? Not sure what it's called int he States.

Anywho.....good luck!

Amber Lamps · 06-13-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyKell

Aw sorry to hear that Neebs. Sucky to get laid off and from the sounds of it you enjoyed your job.

Any chance of getting called back? Do you have employment insurance there? Not sure what it's called int he States.

Anywho.....good luck!

Yea we do! Sheesh, between my unemployment, sub pay and the money I save NOT going to work, I'm actually better off! No bs.

Lamnidae · 06-13-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIGGER

Yea we do! Sheesh, between my unemployment, sub pay and the money I save NOT going to work, I'm actually better off! No bs.

and that's what I find is ironic.... you can save more money by NOT going to work than going TO work.

makes ya really want a job, doesn't it?

Adeptus_Minor · 06-13-2009, 11:05 AM

Congrats(?) on the time off

And be careful out in West Texas.
Weird is in the water.

tommymac · 06-13-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amblyopic

and that's what I find is ironic.... you can save more money by NOT going to work than going TO work.

makes ya really want a job, doesn't it?

its the obama way, why work when you can do nothing and take a handout from the govt.

Sux about hte layoff neebs but it sounds like youre in good spirits and if it was a good severance plan you should be ok for a while. I assume you have a plan so far since you dont sound frantic about getting a resume together and job hunting.

Tom

Kaneman · 06-13-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIGGER

Yea we do! Sheesh, between my unemployment, sub pay and the money I save NOT going to work, I'm actually better off! No bs.

Same here, the kicker was when we took my son out of daycare and saved another $600 a month. As long as my wife is doing good at work then we're making more money than when I was working.
________
Expert Insurance

06-13-2009, 10:14 AM	#1
neebelung Ornery, scandalous & evil Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Moto: 2004 Scarlet R1 Posts: 5,962	Goin' into early retirement.... (temporary retirement, that is)... Welp, I got laid off yesterday. We had our 4th (maybe even 5th... I've lost count) round of layoffs in the last few months, and after 8 years, 8 presidents, a Lean initiaitve, plant downsizing and I can't even COUNT how many previous layoffs we've been through over the years, I finally fell victim. I'm not as freaked out about it as I thought I'd be. While it still felt like a kick to the gut at the moment it happened, it wasn't a total surprise. In the last 10 months, our Engineering Department has gone from 4, to 3, to 2... and now there is 1 (other departments have been cut even futher). In truth, the only part of the company that HASN'T seen any cuts are the upper managers/Directors... right now, there's literally about a 1:1 ratio of Managers to Staff. So I've got a decent severance package, and I know I'll get at least 3 glowing letters of recommendation... right now I'm just going to take a little bit of time and figure out what I want to do. I'd been with the company for so long, and in different positions, that I really just morphed and moved where the company needed me to be and took on as much training as they'd throw my way. Now I just need to see where I can put what I've learned to the best use. In the meantime, I'm gonna go visit my parents later this week (first thing my Dad said when I called them was "If I send you a plane ticket, will you come out for a few days?" so I figured this is as good a time as any.. though I'd imagine West Texas is blasted hot this time of year ) So to my early (albeit temporary) retirement.

06-13-2009, 11:05 AM	#8
Adeptus_Minor Hopster Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Austin, TX Moto: 2009 Buell 1125R Posts: 4,743	Congrats(?) on the time off And be careful out in West Texas. Weird is in the water. __________________ “Well, obviously before; after was all gendarmes and dick stitches.”

06-13-2009, 10:43 AM	#3
shmike Follower Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,549	Sorry to hear that Neebs. Glad to hear you got a decent severance and it sounds like you are making the best of it. Enjoy your time off and good luck in your future searches!

06-13-2009, 10:46 AM	#4
Amber Lamps Moto GP Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,556	Welcome to the party!!! Sorry to hear about that. At least you'll have plenty of time to ride!

06-13-2009, 10:48 AM	#5
CrazyKell Vrooom Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: 06 ZX6R Posts: 4,427	Aw sorry to hear that Neebs. Sucky to get laid off and from the sounds of it you enjoyed your job. Any chance of getting called back? Do you have employment insurance there? Not sure what it's called int he States. Anywho.....good luck!