Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Stephen Kirk in Quakertown PA

>Sorry to hear that. I hope you can find something to cover the bills. Take a little time, clear your head and see what's out there.

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Gene Gauss

>I took voluntary retirement at age 56 as a part of a downsizing at the company I'd worked for for 35 years. I was able to find part time work in areas that interested me to supplement the pension, and still had time to pursue some of the interests that I had that didn't pay. I hadn't had time for as many of those while I was working full time. All in all, it was a good move. Keep the positive attitude, and good luck will follow. Gene Gauss

I hope this helps (sorry if it doesn't)

Steve Antonucci

>I hate when people say thy were laid off. I've never heard of someone being laid back on. It sounds better than saying fired, but that's what happened.

I've been fired 4, 5, 6 times. I really don't remember. And it really doesn't bother me any more. I used to get mad as hell because I was always very good at my job, and never felt I deserved it. Each time, I thought about what I could have done to prevent it and if I would have been willing to make whatever change I thought could have preserved the position, and each time I decided that gettig fired was not such a big deal because I didn't have to compromise my integrity, or suck up to some moron. I was happy that I was fired.

The last time I was fired was 2 days before Christmas, right before bonuses were paid out(can you guess who didn't get one?). I knew it was coming, and thought the company had more class than that after 4.5 years of exceeding their expectations (top 10% performer). I was wrong, but I was prepared. I was already discussing outside options with other companies in case I could not dodge this bullet, and landed at one of the company's partners.

In the two years that followed, I prospered. My income rose by 30%. I got to work with people that left me alone to do what I was good at, and I was paid on the results. Firing me was the best thing they ever did for me.

I hope that you get the opportunity to explore outside interests as a result of this. Perhaps you could discuss employment with one of the companies partners or even the competition. I'm 99% sure that California is very much against non-competes, so you should be able to bring your experience to another company and do well. If your old company makes an offer, you should almost always reject it - they have a better offer waiting behind it no matter what they say.

Good luck to you on this day of opportunity.

Steve

Good luck

Ray Johnson

>

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Gerald Caryl

>I was layed off do to our dept was closed at age 55. I know the feeling. I just went to my woodshop and found a niche, see shop shot 621 artistic partnership. I never looked back. My wife works for the county and carries me on her c.s.e.a insurance, so im covered. I sign up for social security next month and that will more then enough pay my share of the bills. I get my spending money from the shop. I have a KMA attitude towards todays job market, as it has changed so much. Us old school workers don't fit in anymore. They don't want people who know when they are putting the BS to. They want young kids they can minempulate to their tune. sorry for the rant

Some encouragement (for real)

Mark Goodall - ATL - tooljunkie

>Dave, I'm sorry to hear that. Having been in a similar situation not long ago I can appreciate what you're going through. Unless someone's been there, people can't really appreciate the severity of it.

I was actually on my way towards retiring at 55 myself, but at 35 disaster struck and today 5 years later the grim reality is my plans have changed and I will be working until I'm about 85 :(

The biggest hurdle that I have not be able to overcome in the 5 years since my layoff, is medical costs. We have come back from just about loosing everything and are just making it these days, but our number one problem by far is the medical insurance/costs issue.

So with that said, if you have the opportunity to get medical insurance, then from where I stand today I would say take it.

In fact, I'm a bit envious of you believe it or not. It sounds like you have the opportunity of retiring at 56 AND getting medical insurance. Wow! I wish I were so lucky. I turn 40 in a couple weeks, and right now I'm scheduled to retire at age 85... and with 80+ hour work weeks I don't think I'll actually live past 50.

So take this as encouragement. A horrible as your situation may be at the moment, there are people envious of your situation.

Good luck with your decisions and feel free to email me if there are any questions, etc that I might be able to help with. It doesnt' sound like it will apply to you, but I got stung badly with COBRA and can offer advise if it's applicable.

Happy Woodworking!

Stupid "Suits" Strike Again

Thomas Skaggs, Foothills of Mount Level

>Dave,

First of all I am glad you posted it. Just know you have a lot of friends here who care and will be pulling for you.

It never ceases to amaze me how little the gang in the Ivory Towers understand or appreciate the wisdom, experience and talent of veteran employees. They expect employee loyalty for years but do the reciprocate? Obviously not. Sorry for the rant but your situation is one that some other friends of mine have faced recently and it is frustrating!

You are the kind of guy who will land on his feet. Hope all works out well...and fast! Hang in there.

Tommy

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Fred West in West Chester, PA

>Dave, I am so sorry to hear about your situation. Best of luck and what a great attitude. Fred

25 yrs of experience and expertise....

SanMan

>....Thats their loss Dave, not yours. Looking for work is not a fun pastime, but you can make it work for you.

Nows the time to think about what you REALLY want to do in life and go for it!

Good luck to you...

SM

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Guy Kroll

>Dave, as one who had this happen to me a year ago Febuary, I know the feeling. I was 57 and after 23 years with the company ( most of it being in the IVORY TOWER) I can relate to your feelings. I was lucky though I guess, they hired me back 5 days later at half my salary, if you can call that lucky. But the best part is that June after I was let go, god gave me one of those wonderfull heartattacks that comes from years of stress and to many smokes. I hope everything works out for you and good luck.

Guy

Re: Stupid "Suits" example

Martin

>What timing, I heard a Stupid "Suits" story yesterday:

A firm was experiencing high theft of computer hardware in the early 90's. In response more security guards were hired and the result was near zero computer theft.

The new "suits" arrive a few years later with the just earned MBA's looking to impress the bosses (and earn that bonus.) So they look and see all this cost associated with security guards. And that there is near nonexistent theft problem.

You can guess what they did, right?

Laid off the security guards. And 6 months later, the computer theft rate is back at the same level as before.

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Paul Waddle

>Hi Dave,sorry to hear about your layoff-been there. I was 54 when the tobacco company I was working at downsized me out. I found I could do lots of other things and although dropped considerably in income,did ok. I was worried about health insurance(well I should have been),but things work out. Anyway,I got a bluecollar job and was able to work for 10yrs and retire. Now I pester the folks at WC. Best of fortune for you and family.

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Johanna

>I know the feeling. I was laid off from Shell Oil in 1992, and this past September I was changed from full-time to part-time. At least this time I do have a little steady income from pensions and social security. However, I'm renewing my teaching license so I can go back to full-time teaching next fall. I'm 65, but cannot retire until our home is paid off. My pensions and SS are very small because I taught school for many years at a poverty-level salary.

It's an ongoing trend,

Eddie Pacheco, San Jose, Ca.

>That almost every worker will have to experience. As Steve states don't let it get you down or think you got "layed off" because of performance issues. After you dodged several layoffs it just became a matter of someone hitting a target goal for the year. So for this year that person doing the layoffs is a top performer until the next round.

For sure take the retirement to get the insurance coverage as that discount on the premiums really helps.

Good luck and enjoy the extra time in the shop.

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Larry Clinton in Frankfort, Indiana

>Good luck Dave, if you have an option that will guarantee helth insurance for you and your family - go for it! Health insurance is my biggest expense. I retired at 65 last year. Medicare kicked in for me - I only pay about $250 a month for my insurance. However, my wife won't be 65 till Aug. this year and the Cobra from my employer now is $485 a month for her. Luckly I have some 401 savings - home paid for etc. If you can get insurance, I'm sure you will do fine. Don't look at the layoff as having anything to do with you personally or professionally. The plant I worked at laid off (and still are) many good workers, - top grade people - due to outsourcing to Mexico and China. I will be damm glad when they figure out they can outsource Ceo's to China and save a lot of money.

I agree totally with the rant

Stephen Kirk in Quakertown PA

>I'm creeping towards middle aged, and I'm trying to get myself out of the corporate world because I'm tired of changing my attitude and life to suit the company. I also know that they can get rid of me at any time they please, for almost any reason. I survived a few layoffs already, but sooner or later the luck of the draw will catch up.

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

George@Colonel's Workshop-Havertown PA

>Good Afternoon Dave,

I was very sorry to read of your job loss. I'm sure everybody's lives have rocks to stumble over. However, I know from personal experience that a job loss is a very personal threat in a world apparently filled with sharks and out-sorcerors. Retirement which is premature is never wholly good. I hope something turns up fo ryou.

George

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Joe in a Cleveland suburb

>Sorry to hear this Dave. I really hate hearing this kind of stuff.

Best of luck.

Joe

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Ernie Miller

>That kinda sucks! I guess it is time to make lemonaid Good luck!

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Steve Strickland

>I don't know what you did as a living, but a close friend of mine got laid off from his sign-making employer. So guess what he did?

He setup signmaking in his garage at home and called on all his old customers. He's now doing great.

And his old company? They don't exist anymore. Seems someone stole all their clients and they went broke.

Geez, Dave, what a drag

Ellis Walentine

>I know that once you have "retired" for a couple weeks, you'll be ready to reinvent yourself in a more rewarding occupation, maybe even self-employed. Thanks for keeping us in the loop, and I hope you will keep us posted on developments.

I know the feeling of downsizing.

Ellis

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Lee Gordon

>I was in a similar boat 10 years ago when I was cut loose from the job I had held for 18 years. Fortunately, I saw it coming, did some preparation, and decided to see if I could get by on freelancing alone. Luckily, I have gone a decade without having to resort to returning to the 9-5 world, although I did have to accept a trade-off: less income for greater freedom.

When I was laid off the company offered me a severance package but only if I would sign a paper agreeing not to sue them for, among other things, age discrimination. I was only 47 at the time and anxious to leave the world of 50-60 hour work weeks behind, so I signed the paper and took my money.

In your case, however, I would strongly recommend that you not sign any retirement papers before taking them to a lawyer to look over. If, as you say, the company says they are looking to downsize yet continues to hire new people, there is every chance you could win a significant settlement from them, especially if you can demonstrate that they have subsequently hired a younger person to do the work you were formerly doing.

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Jim in Houston

>I don't know if you're a praying man, but my prayer for you is that as God has closed one door He in his infinite mercy will open a new one.

God Bless.

Re: Laid Off after 21 years OTJ :-(

Ron Hildreth, Alta, Iowa

>Sorry to hear of your dilema. Look at my problems-- might make you feel better!

I've been with the state of Iowa for over 23 years, and always worked under immediate supervisors who were "old school". Had it pretty good until my present supervisor started 3 years ago (much younger than me). Now I suffer! He has three years experience to my 23, and thinks he knows it all. The rest of the crew is basically young guys, too, still learning the ropes. Does anyone listen to the oldsters?? Hell, no. But I sure have fun when things don't go as they planned, or fail altogether! I've been there, done that!!

The supervisor has tried forcing me to get mad and quit, but my old age of 57 has taught me to be stubborn. I'll NOT let them beat me under their terms!!!

As they say--As I am, you shall be.

Someday they will be put under the same circumstances they put me under now.

Irony of it is if they need something built in wood or need a carpenter to fix a door or window, I'm all of a sudden a prized employee!

Hopefully, two more years of this BS, and my pension will be enough I won't have to live like this. What my supervisor doesn't realize is paybacks are a b**ch! I hope to become his worst nightmare!!

WHEWWWW! I feel better now!!!

Keep your chin up, Dave. This could be the best thing that could have happened to ya! Think of the possibilities ahead of you!!

Ron in Iowa