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26 June 2008

Not Downsized! Yesterday was brutal at my company with layoffs, but somehow I managed to dodge another bullet. In stead of being at the office when it happened, I ended up spending the day ER getting updates from coworkers via phone. [More:]

The layoffs were much worse than we had expected, and as I started hearing about so many of my counterparts being let go I was even more certain yesterday was my last day.

Just as it was starting I ended up taking Mrs Slack to the emergency room for extreme stomach pains and nausea (after meds, 8 hours, and tons of tests she's fine now). So I was getting occasional updates from friends on the cell (hard to find a good cell signal in the ER!). It was a damn weird day.

I was totally prepared to be let go, and I had actually convinced myself that it was a good thing (and maybe it would have been) and that I was looking forward to it. But when I got word that I was staying I was incredibly relieved - and surprised. I'm sure my workload is about to double again, but I still have a job.
That's supposed to be "spending the day in the ER getting...". I could have sworn I proofread that twice!
posted by Slack-a-gogo 26 June | 08:05
Wow, congrats, dude- and glad to hear Mrs. Slack is doing better. Sounds like an incredibly tense way to spend the day!
posted by BoringPostcards 26 June | 08:09
Glad to hear it!
posted by lukemeister 26 June | 09:10
Congratulations on your new old job!
Glad to hear the ER visit ended up ok.
posted by rmless2 26 June | 09:15
So all of that stuff yesterday about losing a job being the nudge that you really need to lead a more fulfilling life? The potential best thing that ever happened to you?

Well forget it . . .it was just bullshit anyway.

(smile)

Congrats!
posted by danf 26 June | 12:06
No danf - this has rewired my way of thinking and either way, I think it's put me in a better place in terms of my career and outlook. But I guess ultimately having a job is better than not having one. Plus I'm learning that the new version of the company might be better than the old version - and it looks like I'll be able to get some new experience and challenges at work, which is what I've been wanting. If not, back to the job hunt. Plus I can let some of my former coworkers looking for work field test the job market.
posted by Slack-a-gogo 26 June | 12:38
Big sigh of relief here... glad you've still got the job (plus a new outlook!) and glad Mrs. Slack is OK. (Give her my best!)
posted by scody 26 June | 13:18
Slacky, I was mostly kidding (mostly).

It's human nature to put a positive spin on whatever outcome happens, but I am really relieved that you got to keep your job.
posted by danf 26 June | 13:28
Glad the nightmare day turned out ok. Pretty roller coastery, sounds like.
posted by chewatadistance 26 June | 14:11
oof. roller coastery indeed. Glad you're still employed...
posted by Stewriffic 26 June | 14:37
That's great news, Slack... you must feel relieved, and glad not to have to worry about that any longer. I hope Mrs. Slack is doing much better!
posted by taz 26 June | 14:48
w00t! Great news.

I've been there, done that, and ended up on both sides of the divide. If this layoff is a one-time pruning, you'll be fine. If there are further waves, you may end up wishing you'da got cut in the first one.

But still, not getting the axe is always better than getting the axe, well most of the time anyways.

It sounds like you're approaching the new workload and new tasks with a positive attitude. That's good. I kind of got pushed out of a job and managed to find one in a related department. My direct experience in doing the new work was zero, but the experience I had from the previous position gave me knowledge and perspective that the people in my new department didn't have, which really helped me. And doing something challenging and new was totally awesome. A few years later, I took another jump within my company, and that crazy feeling of doing new stuff I didn't know I could do is back.

So keep the good attitude going and enjoy the ride!
posted by Doohickie 26 June | 22:30
Great news Slack man! And I hope Mrs. Slack is OK now.

I got hit in a big lay off (our C level execs were stuffing the channel and brought down our firm and eventually our parent firm) and they screwed up big. As per my contract the had to give me 16 weeks pay if they let me go in the first two years. It went to 40 weeks after that. They missed by 24 hours.

I hope the new slimmer firm does well by you.
posted by arse_hat 26 June | 23:15
They missed by 24 hours.

Hee hee. Awesome!
posted by scody 28 June | 15:36
Short film fans, help? || How many Times do I have to tell you?!!

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