Found out I'm being downsized today.

[CORVETTEDUDE]

I feel bad for you but, have to add this comment. It addresses, not only your situation, but anyone that may be approaching a similar the same possibilities.

Unless you ARE the Top Dog in your environment, this applies to you....

Where, in the past, you could express you opinions more freely, turn down offers for OT or extra resposibility, that luxury is now, and for any forseeable future....GONE. It is NOT about you anymore, and never really was)unlike my ex-wife thinks)! It is now all about your VALUE to your employer...why your employer should keep you on the payroll, as opposed to someone else, senior, junior or otherwise. This means;

Early to work, late to leave.
ANY time you're asked to do somethig, the answer is YES.
Asking to take on more responsibility.
Offering to come in on days off.
Making damn sure your tasks are completed, early and done correctly the first time.
Making sure your employer SEES, FEELS and UNDERSTANDS you are a valuable part of the TEAM.
Sucking up negative comments from co-workers and turning them into positive assets.

The bottom line is, you are very lucky to have a job. To give yourself the best opportunity of keeping it, you need to make yourself vital and un-replaceable. You need to be worth your weight in Gold without "asking" for a pay raise. With all this "downsizing" going on, it's not up to your employer to keep you in a job, it's entirely up to you to ensure you're doing everything possible to keep it. In this environment, "loyalty" is a concept, not a reality.

Ask yourself this question....If you were your employer, WHY should you be kept on the payroll, what is your value to the company?

Best of luck with your situation!

[Fueled By Ramen]

msbhaven,

I feel for you. I, too, have been laid off. I figured myself as a great worker and my sups constantly complemented on my work and work ethic, promised me travel to India to train others there, and thought I had a good future at that job. Unfortunately, despite the great reviews and all the extra work I did to make myself appear valuable, they still had to cut down payroll and I was thus let go. It hurt at first, but I always look at these things as signs that I can find something better elsewhere, that I'm meant for something greater. And actually, it worked to my favor not being there because I didn't have to go to India...and considering what happened there last week, I think getting laid off may have saved me from something awful.

I like to think of it as being on sabbatical, taking a well deserved break from all the work I put in. Unemployment checks are only a fraction of what I would normallly get, but at least it's something. The worst part is the holidays, but as long as people know you're unemployed, they'll understand.

The best thing is to remain positive and strong; don't ever dwell on what went wrong or why they let you go. During these times, even the most experience people are losing their jobs. I'm sure you'll find something soon. Hang in there!!

[menacingmethods86]

I guess it's time to turn tricks. If midgets and BBW's can do it and make bank, you can too!

[msbhaven]

Desmon

Thank you for the kind words and support. You are always so good to me here. I really appreciate it.

rico87

I know that things are tough all over as they say, but misery doesn't feel better with company. Thanks for the support.

dc_guy_75

Actually I have been working on making myself believe that God (or fate or Karma if you aren't a believer) wants me to go on to bigger and better things. And there is nothing wrong with being a working girl IMO. In fact some of them are my biggest heros.

envivision

maybe......if I could make a decent living at it

a994

You have my sympathy. But please don't say a few months, it's too depressing to think about in those terms. Thanks for the support.

bartholomeus

Thanks for your support. It means a lot to me to get so many kind notes from guys like you.

thx1138

I absolutely refuse to turn this in to a political debate.

skaterboisandiego

My last job has been in warehouse/shipping and receiving. Previously I did sales work.

CORVETTEDUDE

You are absolutely right. I feel like I got shit on, but there are things I could have done differently I know. I have trouble being a kiss ass. I have trouble be a yes girl, and I have trouble keeping my big mouth shut when I see hypocrisy. I can't believe how fast things went bad. Two months ago I was inline for a promotion, had a great performance review, and was told after coming back from vacation that I was too valuable to leave for another one in the future...and now this. God I just feel so fucking bitter right now.

Fueled By Ramen

Thanks for the kind words. I always believe that God has a plan, I just wish he would let me see it so I don't stress about what I am supposed to do.

menacingmethods86

Believe me I have thought about it. I feel like if I'm going to get fucked in life I might as well earn good money for it. Do you boys really think I could make a decent living at it? I would like to be a porn starlet too if I could figure out where to start.

[melissacarter]

Early to work, late to leave.
ANY time you're asked to do somethig, the answer is YES.
Asking to take on more responsibility.
Offering to come in on days off.
Making damn sure your tasks are completed, early and done correctly the first time.
Making sure your employer SEES, FEELS and UNDERSTANDS you are a valuable part of the TEAM.
Sucking up negative comments from co-workers and turning them into positive assets.

This is exactly why they can keep their job and give it to the wage slave. At what point does this complete submission compensate fairly into dollars? How much exactly are your balls worth?

This is why I finally got a whiff of reality- being an escort is better than this ass-kissing, pandering, whimpering castration. Who should live like this? Cowering in fear every weekend wondering if your name is still on payroll Friday? There is no such thing as company loyalty. There is no such thing as hard work equals job security. There is no fairness, and anyone that thinks there is better have a deep savings account. Not to mention a retirement plan that doesn't lose half it's value due to stock plummet.

Sorry, I can't pretend I really care about the corporation, that I don't resent that fuckhead boss for his condescending attitude, that I have to check my balls at the door. Sorry, I think theres more self respect in getting fucked on my couch than being a wage slave.

[bartholomeus]

Early to work, late to leave.
ANY time you're asked to do somethig, the answer is YES.
Asking to take on more responsibility.
Offering to come in on days off.
Making damn sure your tasks are completed, early and done correctly the first time.
Making sure your employer SEES, FEELS and UNDERSTANDS you are a valuable part of the TEAM.
Sucking up negative comments from co-workers and turning them into positive assets.

This is exactly why they can keep their job and give it to the wage slave. At what point does this complete submission compensate fairly into dollars? How much exactly are your balls worth?

This is why I finally got a whiff of reality- being an escort is better than this ass-kissing, pandering, whimpering castration. Who should live like this? Cowering in fear every weekend wondering if your name is still on payroll Friday? There is no such thing as company loyalty. There is no such thing as hard work equals job security. There is no fairness, and anyone that thinks there is better have a deep savings account. Not to mention a retirement plan that doesn't lose half it's value due to stock plummet.

Sorry, I can't pretend I really care about the corporation, that I don't resent that fuckhead boss for his condescending attitude, that I have to check my balls at the door. Sorry, I think theres more self respect in getting fucked on my couch than being a wage slave.

I like the way you think. We are slaves to the check and live just to work. Atleast you can escort, what are us guys to do? lol

[Solitary Brother]

I feel bad for you but, have to add this comment. It addresses, not only your situation, but anyone that may be approaching a similar the same possibilities.

Unless you ARE the Top Dog in your environment, this applies to you....

Where, in the past, you could express you opinions more freely, turn down offers for OT or extra resposibility, that luxury is now, and for any forseeable future....GONE. It is NOT about you anymore, and never really was)unlike my ex-wife thinks)! It is now all about your VALUE to your employer...why your employer should keep you on the payroll, as opposed to someone else, senior, junior or otherwise. This means;

Early to work, late to leave.
ANY time you're asked to do somethig, the answer is YES.
Asking to take on more responsibility.
Offering to come in on days off.
Making damn sure your tasks are completed, early and done correctly the first time.
Making sure your employer SEES, FEELS and UNDERSTANDS you are a valuable part of the TEAM.
Sucking up negative comments from co-workers and turning them into positive assets.

The bottom line is, you are very lucky to have a job. To give yourself the best opportunity of keeping it, you need to make yourself vital and un-replaceable. You need to be worth your weight in Gold without "asking" for a pay raise. With all this "downsizing" going on, it's not up to your employer to keep you in a job, it's entirely up to you to ensure you're doing everything possible to keep it. In this environment, "loyalty" is a concept, not a reality.

Ask yourself this question....If you were your employer, WHY should you be kept on the payroll, what is your value to the company?

Best of luck with your situation!

I have to disagree with you on SOME of what you said not all.
Nowadays they will lay you off no matter what....its all about DOLLARS right now especially with any company traded on wall street.
I ASKED to be laid off and have been unemployeed since the middle of October.
However my company had AT least 7 lay offs in the 3 years I was there.
They laid off people they needed and had to hire them back as consultants to do work at my site.
Its really all about dollars now because companies on wall street are only thinking quarter to quarter....
My work days were very very long.....I left for work at 5 A.M and got home at 8 P.M.
I had to quit for my health.
In the REAL WORLD of corporate america its really not all about being a good worker or someone knowledgable.....believe me its just not like that.
I feel bad for those losing their jobs but for me being laid off is great.
I just ran 4 miles and will do 2 more work outs today.
I never had time to work out before and was always tired,sleep deprived and stressed out.
No job is worth that.

[the_corner]

Early to work, late to leave.
ANY time you're asked to do somethig, the answer is YES.
Asking to take on more responsibility.
Offering to come in on days off.
Making damn sure your tasks are completed, early and done correctly the first time.
Making sure your employer SEES, FEELS and UNDERSTANDS you are a valuable part of the TEAM.
Sucking up negative comments from co-workers and turning them into positive assets.

You can do all of that and they will still kick your ass if they want to.

[Odelay]

I add my voice to the ones who point out that you can "suck up" in all of the ways Corvettedude is talking about and still get laid off. All employment contracts are "at will" these days, except for those under a good union contract. That means your employer can lay you off for any reason or no reason.

That doesn't mean sucking up is necessarily bad. Just pick your spots.

One modification... be careful about the unpaid overtime... extra hours that aren't clocked. You're better off developing your skills in an evening community college class... or attempting to get work in the underground community where you get paid cash and it isn't reported to the IRS.

For those who are unemployed... be a hawk with your unemployment insurance compensation. Dot all the "i's". Cross all the "t's". If there is an extension, make sure you take advantage of it. As you collect unemployment, try to make a few extra bucks wherever in the underground economy... collecting cash so it doesn't count against your unemployment checks.

Hang in there!

Cut expenses. Move to a cheaper apt. Get rid of your car, if possible. If you live in an urban area, Zipcar is a far more economical way to get around.

2009 will be rough, but the entire world is in this together so every nation everywhere will be motivated to turn this baby around. At that point employment opp's will increase. And everyone will get a mulligan for having a gap in their resume as far as 2009 is concerned.

[msbhaven]

Early to work, late to leave.
ANY time you're asked to do somethig, the answer is YES.
Asking to take on more responsibility.
Offering to come in on days off.
Making damn sure your tasks are completed, early and done correctly the first time.
Making sure your employer SEES, FEELS and UNDERSTANDS you are a valuable part of the TEAM.
Sucking up negative comments from co-workers and turning them into positive assets.

This is exactly why they can keep their job and give it to the wage slave. At what point does this complete submission compensate fairly into dollars? How much exactly are your balls worth?

This is why I finally got a whiff of reality- being an escort is better than this ass-kissing, pandering, whimpering castration. Who should live like this? Cowering in fear every weekend wondering if your name is still on payroll Friday? There is no such thing as company loyalty. There is no such thing as hard work equals job security. There is no fairness, and anyone that thinks there is better have a deep savings account. Not to mention a retirement plan that doesn't lose half it's value due to stock plummet.

Sorry, I can't pretend I really care about the corporation, that I don't resent that fuckhead boss for his condescending attitude, that I have to check my balls at the door. Sorry, I think theres more self respect in getting fucked on my couch than being a wage slave.

Melissa have you been reading my mind? So much of what you wrote echos how I feel. I hate working for other people because it always means you are dependent on someone else's moods and whims. I feel like I've been shit on most of my life by the people I've worked for no matter how hard I've worked, what I've accomplished, or how much extra I have given. I've thought to myself if I'm going to be fucked metaphorically by everyone I might as well get fucked literally by everyone and at least make a nice living at it. Do you think I'm pretty enough to be a working girl?

Ashlee