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How many rounds?

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:16 am
by ghentry
....Does it take to make you feel better when you just found out you just lost your job?

Ok, this isn't really a "gun topic", but I need to vent and there is a little tie-in with my subject, right?

Yesterday I found out that they are eliminating my position (PC Repair Tech). The way I found out was I was unable to login to one of our sites and when I called to find out what the problem was, the guy told me he had heard I had been moved to another dept. (nice way of communicating it huh?). Anyway, I was not happy to say the least. I left a few hours early and stopped at Academy, picked up 200 rounds of 9mm and hit the range in my business casual dress. 200 rounds later, I didn't feel much better.

I'm still waiting for the "official" call at 3:00 pm today to let me know the details of when, etc., until then, I'm sitting here just waiting for the call with an upset stomach.

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:26 am
by nitrogen
You're using the wrong targets.

Get some of your boss's business cards and tape 'em to a B27... :twisted:

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:27 am
by gigag04
Thats a rough burn man.

Hope it works out for ya

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:54 pm
by Lumberjack98
Sorry to hear the bad news.

Try another 200 today and see if that helps.

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 2:04 pm
by KinnyLee
That sucks! Hope everything goes well. Try renting a machine gun or something. I've heard it's quite therapeutic.

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 2:06 pm
by Bob Wolff
I have been laid off, RIFED, let go, you name it during my long career (2 careers actually). Things I have learned:

Recognized the grief process - There is a common process people go through when being laid off. There are five steps in this order: denial, anger, sadness, bargaining and finally acceptance. The quicker to get to the last step the better.

1. Don’t panic
2. Accept your situation.
3. De-stress yourself.
4. Start a new job search.
5. Stay positive.
6. Budget your finances.
7. Move on.

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 2:23 pm
by seadawg221
nitrogen wrote:You're using the wrong targets.

Get some of your boss's business cards and tape 'em to a B27... :twisted:
I would get a Sharpie type marker and write the boss' name on each bullet....that always worked for me :shock:

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 2:36 pm
by jbirds1210
ghentry, I hate this is happening to you. I have been in the situation and ended up coming back to the job that laid me off as the boss!
It is funny where life tends to take us. Good luck and I hope that you have a super quick time trying to find new employment.
I agree that a little target practice is good stress relief. It is not lllegal to shoot at mental images projected onto your target :roll: Take care.
Jason

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 5:32 pm
by jimlongley
More than three and a half years later, and thousands of rounds, my layoff still rankles.


Years ago when the phone company did their first layoff, everyone knew it was coming and even what date but not who. The company was keeping it a big secret so that people would not go out sick, retire, do sabotage, etc. And it was supposed to stay secret until each person found out.

On the fateful morning, anyone who was due to be laid off could not log on, and all you had to do to find out who was being laid off was send a global email to the entire company mailing list and anyone who bounced was it. Some secret.

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 6:52 pm
by ghentry
Thank you everyone for the replies and encouragement. Several years ago we were bought by a nationwide company and I knew things would be changing. The awards and other recognition I've received don't amount to anything when the person with the axe is half-way across the country and doesn't know you from Adam. I hold nothing against my boss as it is completely out of his hands. He's now just another small cog in the wheel.

I've been through similar circumstances when I worked for Continental Airlines. That one was hard to take, but this one is much harder. I've worked there for 8 years and developed close relationships with many of my coworkers.

I'm being offered a position much lower in pay and duties than my current position, to give me a paycheck while I look for something permanent. I can either take that or take 4 weeks severance. That's the big decision now.

I'm working on my resume tonight and am going to start networking everyone I know. I don't have a college degree or the credentials that others have, which makes it very hard to get in the door. Once I'm in the door, I have no problem proving myself. I've never been fired due to performance issues, only "downsizing". Hopefully a personal connection can land me something quickly as I have a family to help support.

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:58 pm
by John
sorry to hear about your job being eliminated. I can offer a couple of boxes of 9mm towards your range time stress relief. know it's not much, but it's something. good luck to you.

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:59 pm
by XD_Dan
It's a bitter pill to swallow, but keep your chin up, ghentry.
I wish you the best of luck in your search.

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 8:11 pm
by flintknapper
Wow,

Sorry to hear of the job situation. If you currently have health insurance, and/or other benefits....then it makes sense to stay with your current company until you find something more suitable. The decrease in pay may result in you finding yourself (financially) on a slow sinking ship. Slow, but sinking....nonetheless.

I worked in the engineering dept. for a company that manufactures Class A Motorhomes for 13 yrs. and was laid off, so I know how it feels. After you get over the shock, dust yourself off and get back out in the job market.

Meanwhile, you and your family will be in my daily prayers.

If you need any ammo, let me know. Letting off a little steam at the shooting range is not a bad idea.

Best of luck to you.

Flint.

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:11 pm
by bauerdj
I know the feeling well - was laid off last May as MIS Director from a company I had worked for for 15 years. Since I was unemployed anyway I decided to move from NY to Texas and here I am. I have not found anything in the computer field yet; I am fighting many of the same problems you are, no degree and never bothered to get some of the certifications as I never thought I would need them. Poor planning on my part, I thought I would be there until I retired, before this had never been unemployed in my life! In addittion to other handicaps I am facing the reluctance to hire someone of my age (57) I am doing tax returns for HR Block as an interim measure while I keep looking.

Just don't give up no matter how frustraing it gets. Things have a way for working out for the best; at least it got me from NY to Texas :lol:

I think you still sound like you need to vent another 250 rds or so. It is amazing how that can ease your frustration level

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:37 pm
by dws1117
I'm sorry to hear of you unfortunate situation. Hopefully you get turned around quickly.

My mother went through close to this same type of thing a few years ago. They elimated her position and because of her outstanding performance and number of years they offered her a different position with lower pay. She took the other job. Less than a year later they decided that the original position was necessary. She was offered her old position back but at another pay cut. She declined.

As others have said. Keep your chin up. I too will offer up a box of ammo (sorry no expensive exotic calibers :grin:)and range fee and you choice of ranges if you need some stress relief.