Ever survive a layoff?

[UncleDave]

Never had to lay off, but had to fire people that were a bad fit. I told them - your a good person but this job isn't for you, I can give you some number of days pay and you walk out now, or you can go home and start looking for a job and your job for the next 30 days is to find a new job, and you can tell them your still employed here - easier to get a job when you have a job.

All but one of them called me nasty names and threw a fit. Which actually made it much easier - i tried to help you, your too stupid to realize it. The one that took the deal found a job right away, one that was likely better for his skill set anyway.

The first layoff is always easy - cut the people that weren't great anyway.

Successive pull backs get really hard, especially when random numbers land from corporate HQ even though your division is killing it really blows. Getting edicts like - "lose 7%" every other year and you go from cutting fat, to meat, to bone. Laying off good hardworking peopel. It's the worst.

Firing people is easier for me - by the time we get there, if they've worked for me, they know its coming and Im not upset because at that point its all on them.

For whatever reason, I never had anyone lose their cool with me.
Clearly most weren't happy, but no one lost it, although that happened all around me.

Like you I did what I could to architect soft landing with the good ones and guys that just didn't fit,
I usually managed to get them gigs in my channel.

 

[benjy]

being in the building construction industry layoffs are common!!! be prepared + keep a cushion $$$ + DONT overspend on things you DONT really need aka OVERPRICED vehicles + elaborate housing!! things have surely changed thou as the BASICS are costlier than ever + anything you have the time + talent to do is CHEAPER!! lots of ways to save IF you really want or NEED to. layoffs gave me the time to DIY house upgrades + help build a nice garage!!

 

[ecotourist]

I was the medical director of a large mining company that went through multiple rounds of layoffs. The best employees were those who were laid off in the last rounds. But those who lost their jobs in the early rounds found the best jobs.

People who were laid off were offered the services of any remaining employee in their search for work. An engineer asked me to help him with his resume. He hadn't done a very good job on his first draft. Together we wrote a resume that accurately and succinctly laid out his training and experience. I'm not saying it was because of that resume, but he almost immediately got a really good (and actually much better) job elsewhere.

At the start of the last round of layoffs, one employee who has survived round after round of cuts, was finally laid off. His reaction, "At last my turn has come."

During that period, all everyone could think of was who had been laid off and who would be next. Multiple rounds of layoffs are very hard on those remaining. It took that company a long time to recover.

 

[ecotourist]

I've worked at a lot of places. When you're there your life becomes focused on that company, your fellow workers, the company's problems, etc.

You somehow have the impression that the world starts and ends at the boundaries of "your company." But that's an illusion. When you leave you'll see hardly any of that group again and that company's problems disappear forever from your sight. And your focus shifts to the new company.

 

[borgward]

I used to do Drafting/Design/Tech writing/Technical Illustration. My wife's company moved us to Austin TX. Not much work so I had to commute to Houston. Between assignments I worked in a lumber yard one summer. Commuted again and when that work ended shortly after the yard wanted me back. That was great. When I clocked out I never gave the job a second thought till the next morning. That was a great load off as I had no professional responsibilities. Built our house while I was there. No more rent. I got cost plus 5% on materials. Building materials have about 100% markup.

 

[Dave Hess]

My department just had a big layoff, luckily I made it. Was a wild day a few weeks ago.

What if you were part of layoff ?

How hard would it be to get another job in your career field in this economy ?

 

[Nick1994]

What if you were part of layoff ?

How hard would it be to get another job in your career field in this economy ?

It may take some time, I work in IT doing email administration, might have to take a step down to find another job, not sure. Or just wait a few months to find the right job.

 

[wpod]

My dad taught me to have a laid off fund. . Try to save several months worth of living expenses . It makes lay off as fun as getting laid off can be.

 

[JeffKeryk]

My dad taught me to have a laid off fund. . Try to save several months worth of living expenses . It makes lay off as fun as getting laid off can be.

In high tech this is a necessity. Feast or famine. Roller coaster is the norm.

 

[Pablo]

My dad taught me to have a laid off fund. . Try to save several months worth of living expenses . It makes lay off as fun as getting laid off can be.

This plus have one or two side gigs going. Stop doing lounge activities and the free time is there

Took me one layoff to learn this

 

[JeffKeryk]

This plus have one or two side gigs going. Stop doing lounge activities and the free time is there

Took me one layoff to learn this

After I got laid off (political), I took a day to recover, took a walk and decided to enjoy the day.
Then I pulled up my big boy pants and started the search. Given that contacts are key, it didn't take long.

 

[gfh77665]

I have had just two (real) jobs in my life. After 20 years with my first company they laid me off kept some of the worst of the worst employees. They literally kept alcoholics and drug addicts while laying off people who (like me) were a responsible, solid employees that did not steal from them and came to work every day. Demographics and work place politics ruled there.

I was angry about it then but now I do not miss it at all now. The layoff was one of the best things that happened to me.

 

[ecotourist]

I have had just two (real) jobs in my life. After 20 years with my first company they laid me off kept some of the worst of the worst employees. They literally kept alcoholics and drug addicts while laying off people who (like me) were a responsible, solid employees that did not steal from them and came to work every day. Demographics and work place politics ruled there.

I talked to the HR manager at the company that had several rounds of lay-offs. In the first round the not so good employees went. Then the pretty good employees. In the late rounds some very good employees were let go, and the big factor was whether an employee could do different kinds of work. A few higher rated employees were let go to retain someone who could do different kinds of work. Adaptability became one of the final factors.

A business has to be able to carry on when the lay-offs stop.

 

[ecotourist]

In one episode, a lay-off specialist was in the office and an invitation to come to the HR offices meant you were in for the chop. Someone got a phone call and immediately left the office. He was contacted again and said, "I'm in the bar, if you really want to talk to me you'll have to come here."

A bit of levity in a stressful time.

 

[twouvakind]

I did, the carrier laid a bunch of people off between projects(early 1990's)for about two weeks. I survived it because they need a CDL driver that was junior to me in seniority.
Wasn't long after that, I got my CDL which I still hold today (retired from Amtrak).

 

[Dave Hess]

After I got laid off (political), I took a day to recover, took a walk and decided to enjoy the day.
Then I pulled up my big boy pants and started the search. Given that contacts are key, it didn't take long.

Lots of career fields are a simple phone call and you have something lined up.

Thats why I tell younger folks to have a good work ethic and reputation in case they have to find another job on short notice.

Today‘s workplace is kind of like the Mafia, if someone can vouch for you and say you’re a stand up guy….. You’re In !!!

 

[Dave Hess]

I have had just two (real) jobs in my life. After 20 years with my first company they laid me off kept some of the worst of the worst employees. They literally kept alcoholics and drug addicts while laying off people who (like me) were a responsible, solid employees that did not steal from them and came to work every day. Demographics and work place politics ruled there.

I was angry about it then but now I do not miss it at all now. The layoff was one of the best things that happened to me.

Yep, at first it was a slap in the face and kick in the butt….. that workplace environment was very dysfunctional and job loss was the best thing for you.

 

[Pablo]

Here’s a funky story. I met my old manager from 23 years back who had the pleasure of laying me off.

Now I am the kind of person who seems to have improved on that crappy situation at that time. Not sure if guy was just embarrassed but when I saw him recently he said laying me off was the worst thing he did as a manager and they suffered because of it. I may have had some feelings about that 15 years ago but now? Retired? Silly to hear it. But he is an ok guy

 

[JeffKeryk]

Lots of career fields are a simple phone call and you have something lined up.

Thats why I tell younger folks to have a good work ethic and reputation in case they have to find another job on short notice.

Best advice in the world. It's all about your connections.

 

[ecotourist]

Lots of career fields are a simple phone call and you have something lined up.

Thats why I tell younger folks to have a good work ethic and reputation in case they have to find another job on short notice.

Today‘s workplace is kind of like the Mafia, if someone can vouch for you and say you’re a stand up guy….. You’re In !!!

One of my physician colleagues phoned me one morning and said, "I just quit my job (where he had been the medical director of a major corporation). I can't go home and tell my wife I don't have a job. What have you got for me?"

I told him I didn't have a job in his specialty but I could use another generalist, "and he could have that job as long as he'd admit he didn't know anything about musculoskeletal medicine and would let us teach him".

He agreed and had a new job before noon. He did let us teach him (over the course of the next 6 months) and he did really well. He recently said that our discussion and the subsequent teaching was the best thing that ever happened. We really broadened his knowledge base and made him a much better specialist.

So yes your reputation precedes you and connections are valuable. And sometimes you have to let a new employer teach you what you thought you knew (but really didn't).