This is when it sucks to be right.

[constance]

I got laid off today.

The management called eight of us into the boardroom this morning, and laid us off en masse, and then each of us was assigned a manager to escort us to our desks (to pack our things) and then to our cars. We saw no one, spoke to no one apart from our assigned managers. It was altogether the most degrading, humiliating experience I've undergone, and I was so furious I actually said something to that effect to the entire management crew--though to tell you the truth, I don't remember quite what that something was, and of course I doubt the words had much effect.

I am less furious and more just generally upset, now.

And so now I have to start buckling down to the job hunt in earnest. Wish me luck, and let me know if you hear about anything, okay?

Comments

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

Fuck. I'm sorry.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Thanks. This does have somthing of the dark inevitability of Greek tragedy, but knowing something's probably coming doesn't make it all that much more pleasant, I'm discovering.

[jossish.livejournal.com]

Oh Cammy. Those WANKERS. I am disgusted on your behalf. I hope you find something really really soon. *hugs*

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Thanks -- I am planning a no-holds-barred search, and with any luck, I'll end up with something much better, anyway.

*hugs*

[soliloquia.livejournal.com]

God, that's terrible! Such a degrading spectacle. I'm sorry. Hopefully you'll find something infinitely better soon.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Thank you--it really was a spectacle, of the very worst kind. If nothing else, today served to remind me that I didn't really want to stick it out there even before they escorted my potentially harmful ass out of the building.

[bethbethbeth.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry this happened...and so disgusted about the way they handled it.

I KEEL THEM!!!

[tofty.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*
*hands you keeling materials*

[lizardspots.livejournal.com]

Oh, shit! That's appalling, and what a way to be laid off, too. :(((

♥

[tofty.livejournal.com]

They really suck, don't they. -_-

Thanks, though, and ♥ to you too!

[amelia-eve.livejournal.com]

Oh honey, how horrid for you. That's just nasty.

I'm not sure exactly what you do, but if it involves technical publications and you freelance, email me a resume and maybe we can talk.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I wouldn't want to waste your time. I've done quite a bit of technical writing, but never for publication. Just for clients, user manuals, instruction pages, help programs, things like that. I don't know if that'd be of much use, but if you think I might be marketable, please let me know. :)

Thanks very much for the offer--you don't know how much I appreciate it.

[aubrem.livejournal.com]

Bastards! I guess because they behave like assholes they assume everyone else is likely to too.

Yes, you are much better off without them. This will lead to better things and meanwhile those managers are going to go down with the ship and drown while you watch, sipping margaritas from the much better position you've found. Or something like that. I am incoherent with anger. >: (

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Hahahaha, I'll buy the margarita mix and invite you over when it happens!

My anger has dimmed somewhat, from white fury to righteous outrage. I think I may be here for a while, but it's good to have something to focus that rage on. Don't you think? :D

[gmth.livejournal.com]

Fuckers. I've been there, and it sucks (although they didn't have someone escort me out; in fact, they told me I could stay until the end of the day if I wanted, and I just walked right out). Although in retrospect, it was the very best thing that could have happened to me. I really believe stuff happens for a reason. I've got my fingers crossed that something wonderful will result from this for you. *hugs*

[tofty.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it will, actually. I said the other day that I didn't think I wanted to work there any more, and I really didn't--and oh, man, I really, really don't, now. I think I'm better off out of it, no matter what happens next.

*hugs*

WHAT?

[leestone.livejournal.com]

What. The. FUCK....

I'm calling you right now.

Re: WHAT?

[tofty.livejournal.com]

*SMOOCHES*

[treehavn.livejournal.com]

Those absolute fuckers. I've been meaning to comment and say how inspiring I found your last post about living out your dream, being able to look back over your life and see that you went for the things you really wanted. I know it's probably cold comfort right now, but I hope you hold onto those ambitions, even as you look for something to tide you over. Those fuckers. I'm very sorry.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

One of my great disappointments--my only real disappointment, now that things are settling a little--is that I couldn't hold on long enough to my shit job to get my new career plan in place. But I can still do the research, and maybe for my next job after this one, I'll be my own boss!

And many, many thanks for the words of comfort. :)!

[laurelwood.livejournal.com]

Good lord. What a classless bunch of losers. I wish it were possible to arrange for an enormous flaming bag of dog turds to be delivered unto them, because, really, that's the only kind of thing that gets through to people like that.

I'm sorry you had to endure something so horrendous, and you know what? I'll bet whatever it was you said was cuttingly eloquent, even if you don't remember it.

I'm keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that you find something wonderful ASAP. If I run into a wish fairy, I'll use at least one of the proverbial three to bestow upon you a combination used bookstore/classic movie house/dog-grooming facility owned by a sweet old lady who's looking for someone to take over her move-in-ready business for her.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Oh, wouldn't that be fab, the old lady, I mean? Maybe I'll find one on my own, though, and then I'll send a postcard to my former boss who in addition to neglecting her dog seemingly let half her department go (we accounted for half the layoffs, in an office with five departments) without a struggle. The postcard will be a photo of my new digs, and it will say, HEY. FUCK YOU WITH A BIG POINTY STICK. And I will sign my name with a flourish.

[somniesperus.livejournal.com]

Fucking bastards. Did they have a way of making the whole thing more degrading? Because that would have taken some serious imagination.

I'm with Gina, though--stuff happens for a reason, and maybe this will give you the opportunity to do something that'll make you happier. I know that's not much comfort right now, but hopefully in the long run this will be a good thing for you.

*hugs*

[tofty.livejournal.com]

I thought maybe if they hired clowns with balloons to escort us out of the building, it could have been a little worse. But not too much worse.

Actually, I'm feeling pretty sanguine right now, and certain that better things are in store for me, career-wise. My real regret right now is that I wasn't the one to walk first. And to be honest, that's about my only regret.

[somniesperus.livejournal.com]

I thought maybe if they hired clowns with balloons to escort us out of the building, it could have been a little worse. But not too much worse.

Are you kidding? That would have been AWESOME. If I ever get fired, I totally want a clown escort, and I think you should too. Unless you're one of those people who are scared of clowns. In which case, perhaps a dancing bear.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

*takes advantage of hug to grope you*

[sunkentreasure.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, sweetie. This sucks.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Don't it just, though? Don't you wish that companies weren't so unapologetically assholish?

(Hi, it's been a while, I hope you're okay!)

[venivincere]

Fucking assholes! This exact thing happened to me on Friday, March 28, 2003.

What do you do? We're looking for data managers in our clinical trials office, if you want to do cancer research. If you're looking for something more local, give me your resume and I'll help you brainstorm. Toward the end of my year being laid off, I got really creative thinking about the kind of jobs I had a chance at if I applied for them. *hugs you*

*hugs you again*

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Isn't it amazing, the appalling behavior people get away with in the name of corporate "health?" I don't know how some people can sleep at night, even if Reengineering the Corporation tells them that it's okay to behave like utter creeps.

I spent the past year and a half as a software tester, but before that I was a network and database administrator for six years. I really do want to try and stay in Georgia, if I can, but I recognize that might not be a possibility--so I'll keep your offer in mind, and if nothing here pans out, I might get in touch with you, if that's okay?

Mmmm, hugs. *leans in for more*

[venivincere]

I'm at your service, if you need me. And if you do end up coming up here, you've got my living-room fold-out bed for as long as you need till you find a place. :-)

[luthien.livejournal.com]

Oh, bastards! There are so MANY bad managers in the world. Do they train them specially to do it the worst way possible or something? It just sucks.

I hope this turns out to be the opportunity that starts you off down a better, more rewarding road. *hugs*

[tofty.livejournal.com]

I think these particular managers are sort of self-taught bad managers who've never had to deliver specially bad news and suck at it. But you know what? I think laying ten people off is as good an excuse as any for making sure your managerial skills are up to the task.

The longer I'm away, the more sure I'm better off. *hugs*

[submarine.livejournal.com]

OH HONESTLY. Oh, Cambot, I'm so sorry. It's the worst feeling in the world (even if the company is awful and/or people are awful or WHATEVER) having somebody tell you that your skills aren't needed, that you're not wanted. I'm so sorry! T_T Tell me at least it was a permanent position and they've had to hand out redundancies, so you can actually survive while jobsearching? Oh, Cam. ♥ I am thinking of you!

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Yes, I (and everyone else as well) was a full-time permanent employee, and we now get paid for being out of work! Yay, am deadbeat! :D:D:D It's not a lot of money, but it's enough to cover my bills and food while I find a new job, and that's the important thing.

And yes, it does hurt to be made redundant, but not nearly so much as it would if I actually respected the people who'd done the axing.

♥♥♥ to you too!

[tinderblast.livejournal.com]

How crummy that they'd be so deliberately insulting as to escort you to your desk. That's just so lame. Best of luck with the job search!

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Thanks--I've got a few leads already, from coworkers and friends, and I'm hoping that one of them pans out. But the luck will come in handy, I think! *pockets*

Leory keeps throwing himself at my shoulder (I've had to retype this sentence three times), clearly in order to give you his regards.

[tinderblast.livejournal.com]

Hahaha - I was going to mention him, and say that Big Bad Leory Brown wouldn't have let them escort you from the place, unchallenged ... so he must be a little bit psychic.

And just think of how you're well shot of a workplace like that. Now, you can move somewhere much better.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed, I'm already looking forward to moving on (with the Bad One at my side)!