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06 March 2012

Next in the series of unfortunate events I got terminated from my job this morning.
[More:]They wouldn’t even say why. I will say I have hardly been some ideal employee (spent too much time on the internet [cough] though I always met my deadlines), but I think it was mostly about money. I’d been there 11.5 years and the starting salary has not been raised in all that time, so I was making much more than many of my more recently hired co-workers. Mind you I hadn’t received a raise in nearly three years, despite receiving good, if not perfect, performance reviews and though I had also seen my workload significantly increase during that time. In 2010 there was a company-wide salary freeze so no one got a raise, and in June 2011 my manager told me I already made so much more than everyone else I didn’t deserve the measly 3% “merit” raise they give out. I strode back to my desk in an ice-cold rage after that little interview. I did find out later I wasn't the only person who didn't receive a raise, so I didn't think it was entirely personal.

And now that they’ve gotten rid of me entirely they can hire someone on contract to do the same job for much less and not have to give them benefits or much vacation time. I also note that we were to get our annual bonuses any day now, and of course now I won’t get mine — I’m sure that timing was not accidental. I’m considering having a lawyer review my termination package before I sign it. The package does seem to be pretty good, I will admit, so though I am worried about my future there is no need to panic.

I haven't shed a tear over this and doubt I will. My only real regret is the loss of income. I am so very relieved, even happy, to be out of there. I was bored out of my skull by that job. As I told the employment counsellor they had there to speak to me, "I'm blowing this popsicle stand. I was so bored here. Soooooooo soooooooo bored." I also simply despised my manager and director. And the company is not what it was. It used to be a good place to work and now the current president, and some of the directors and managers don’t seem to see it as part of their job description to treat their employees well. There is a growing culture of disrespect for employees, and so many there are becoming increasingly unhappy and anxious. I’ve been fearful of losing my job for several years now, and now at least the penny has dropped and I may spend my time concentrating on finding something else. I also get employment counselling as a part of the package.

It sucks though. After struggling financially for years, with my income as an editor plus the rental income I finally had an average household income for Toronto. And I'm quite good with money, so I made the most of it. I was paying off my mortgage aggressively and contributing to my RRSP and getting the house in shape and still had some spending money for some fun extras. And now I have next to nothing again — the rental income only pays half my monthly housing costs.

Well, I just have to pull myself together and do the best I can. There is a company that I used to work for that I'm sure will take me back — they don't treat their employees well and so are always hiring. I’d rather not have to go back there, but at least it’s a not completely terrible option and I won’t have to go work at McDonalds or lose my house. Perhaps I'll give myself a set amount of time to look for something else, and if I find nothing I will apply there. It would be a shame to burn through my entire severance wth just living expenses when I could use it to knock down my mortgage or build a deck or something.

But what with my favourite brother’s so sudden and tragic death in November, being hit by a car on Valentine’s Day, and now losing my job, this is not shaping up to be my year. I’m expecting a plague of locusts minutely, frankly.
I'm so sorry. Do have a lawyer look over your termination papers just in case. Hopefully something better will come along soon.
posted by typewriter 06 March | 22:59
Ah, damn it! I can never think of anything to say for these situations.
posted by Ardiril 06 March | 23:06
{Orange Swan}

'They' say bad things come in threes, so here's hoping you've had your turn and better news is on the way. It sucks that they can just dismiss you without reason.
posted by dg 06 March | 23:43
Sorry to hear that. Best of luck finding something else.
posted by TheophileEscargot 07 March | 00:06
So very sorry. Do find a lawyer. Just before my wife and I met she was let go under similar circumstances. She went to a lawyer and on the strength of one letter the hospital involved paid out an extra $14,000. The cost for the lawyer was less than $700. I don't know that it always works out that way but it sometimes does.
posted by arse_hat 07 March | 00:33
(((Orange Swan)))
posted by halonine 07 March | 01:01
*hugs* I'm sorry.
posted by brujita 07 March | 02:22
I'm so sorry to hear this but I know you're resourceful and so I hope you'll soon find something else.
posted by Senyar 07 March | 02:53
=(

posted by Eideteker 07 March | 05:01
That is very not fair. Awfully sorry.
posted by JanetLand 07 March | 06:37
(((((orange swan)))))

Senyar is right, you are a resourceful person. You will find your way through this mess and be the better for it.
posted by msali 07 March | 07:44
*huggles* That sucks so hard. :(
posted by sperose 07 March | 07:59
Sorry, dear. Hope it works out that you find something even better!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 07 March | 08:59
oh no! I hope you find a much better position quickly.
posted by bluesapphires 07 March | 09:00
That's sad to hear OS. But it's a new beginning and who knows, your next job could be the one you always wanted. Good luck.
posted by Splunge 07 March | 09:05
I am really sorry to hear this. But as smart and resourceful as you are, I am sure you will land somewhere else, too soon.
posted by danf 07 March | 09:31
Seconding everyone who says that you're resourceful and will find something good before too long.

Having said that, you have my permission (should you need it) to get sad, have a drink, paint the town red, and/or do something slightly crazy but not too expensive to mark the transition. At least, that's what I'd do.
posted by altolinguistic 07 March | 09:56
I hope you can get things lined up so that you can maybe take a vacation for a week or so. You deserve a nice break.
posted by Eideteker 07 March | 10:05
So sorry to hear this. Hopefully this door closing will open a door to a much better experience. It's stressful and feel and I for you and I'm rooting for you to kick this in the ass and get some much deserved good news.
posted by Slack-a-gogo 07 March | 10:25
EEEeesh. That sucks Orange Swan. I'm really sorry!
posted by richat 07 March | 10:27
I prefer to think that, rather than this being representative of how the rest of the year will be, that you've gotten all the bad stuff out of the way early on.
posted by Obscure Reference 07 March | 11:21
It's going to be much better than it was before. Don't focus on the "I don't have a job!" part, focus on the "Hey, wow, I don't have to go to that fucking job!"

That's a good thing. Another job will come, and based on what you've said it is unlikely it will be worse. Good luck.
posted by Meatbomb 07 March | 11:34
You are so super. They don't realize what a gem they are losing.

This is probably more likely to turn out to be a good thing than the other recent events in your life. Often bad job breaks are actually new possibilities in disguise.

You know, you really seem to be very knowledgeable and wonderful at home decorating. Have you thought about seeing if there are opportunities in that area for you? Alwys nice when your work and passions coincide.
posted by bearwife 07 March | 12:09
((((Orange Swan))))
posted by mightshould 07 March | 12:23
((((((Orange Swan)))))))
posted by Twiggy 07 March | 13:00
Oh dear, that's some major suckage.

I really like what Meatbomb said: Don't focus on the "I don't have a job!" part, focus on the "Hey, wow, I don't have to go to that fucking job!"

See the lawyer and take some time to relax. You are resourceful and smart and will surely land on your feet (hi, Trilby!).

(((Orange Swan)))
posted by deborah 07 March | 16:05
It sucks to be fired, even if you hate the place. I hope you find a place you like a lot better and that will treat you well. (I've grown accustomed to being treated like crap at my job. I even manage to grow a few blossoms where I can.)

You might consider taking the job at your former employer, though sucky, and then looking for something new. It's always easier to find a job if you have one, plus you could save more of that severance like you want. (I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to take a little time off, though.)
posted by Pips 07 March | 18:47
(Also, I wouldn't be surprised if a lawyer could get you that yearly bonus you were about to receive, on top of your severance, at the very least.)
posted by Pips 07 March | 18:51
Sorry to hear about this, Orange Swan. :( Pips is right that getting fired sucks no matter what. Here's to landing on your feet in a better place!
posted by chewatadistance 07 March | 19:36
Oh, wow, I'm so sorry to hear that, OS. But you're right that it's wonderful to be free of that place!
posted by Elsa 07 March | 19:40
I am sorry to hear this, Orange Swan. It sucks. You'll be fine, but it still sucks.
posted by redvixen 07 March | 21:53
That sucks a whole lot; I'm so sorry.
posted by theora55 07 March | 22:09
Crappy news. But sometimes it takes something drastic to liberate you from a bad dynamic. I'm sure you'll land on your feet and in the meantime, yay, the lousy job is at an end.
posted by Miko 07 March | 23:25
Man, that sucks, but here's to hoping for better things.
posted by lysdexic 08 March | 17:36
Here's hoping for a great start somewhere else... with a short vacation in between!
posted by Glinn 08 March | 18:17
I wonder what the new open window is now holding or you? Heres to a new begining, and bonus! Right at the begining of spring!

My friend always tells me that (I see the negatives much louder than positives sometimes) he says oh! So a door closed!? I can't wait to see what pops in that newly opened window ! I wish the best for you.
posted by meeshell 08 March | 22:40
Some Jane Austen juvenilia || OMFG Vietnamese leaf-nosed bat

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