OT Update on layoffs and new job

[pharmseller]

Well guys, back in December I posted about some pharmaceutical industry layoffs. If you recall, my wife, stepdaughter, son-in-law, and myself are all in the pharmaceutical industry (different companies). My wife, stepdaughter, and I all got laid off during the last week of November. Here's the update:

I got a job immediately, in a better position with FAR less windshield time. I'm still getting my severance package so I'm double-dipping. My former company fibbed to us big time, but at least they're doing good by us with severances. Last I looked there's no law that says a company has to pay you anything when they lay you off, so kudos to them for it.
My stepdaughter got a new job about a month after her layoff. She had no severance but utilized unemployment. She's in a much better spot and got a big raise over her former salary.
My wife started her new job a week ago. She received a severance as well so she's double dipping too. She's the sad one of the bunch because she really liked her former company but at least she was able to find a job with comparable pay quickly.

My wife and I talked about the lessons God wanted us to learn from our adventures in layoffs. Here's the big ones:

Cash reserves. It's hard to do, but all the financial gurus talk about cash reserves. You are supposed to have six months' worth of bills stashed away. We had next to nothing. Without the severance packages we could have been in a world of hurt. We are using the remaining "double dip" money to create a cash cushion. Maybe not six months, but at least three.

Work hard for your company but keep your eyes open. The days of lifetime employment are long past. Don't be married to your job because it isn't married to you. This is not an excuse to do less than your best. Just remember that you and your family come first.

Be prepared to interview for a new job at a moment's notice. I saw the storm clouds gathering and kept my portfolio updated. I got laid off on a Friday, got a call from a recruiter that Sunday, and was on a plane Monday at 6 am. I accepted the offer Tuesday afternoon. Be ready physically and emotionally.

Don't take it personally. It's just business. This one is tough because too often we identify ourselves by our careers. The company will do what is best for the company, not what's best for you. It's just business.

Those are the big lessons we learned. It's been tough to change. Over time you get into a comfort zone and create an identity with an organization, then have to recreate all of it with a new company. But such is life. At the end of the day we know that we are DARNED lucky to be where we are and we value every minute of it.


Quinn

[Jason_W]

Good advice.

I'm searching for some kind of marketable skill I have so I can be my own employer and not have to worry about what some corporate headquarters decides is best for their shareholders.

So far, I'm drawing a blank

Congrats on things working out for you. Looks like you're actually better off than you were before.

[FWiedner]

Some folks go down hard when such misfortune befalls them.

Glad you landed on your feet, or that you at least had a nice fluffy pillow to cushion your fall.

You say you and your wife talked, and you say "we" several times.

Your wife must be a peach, and a smart one at that.

I don't read nuthin' there that sounds like it came from a woman's mouth.

[Gun Smith]

Over the last 50 years things have changed so much in the employer/employee field. When I was younger a man went to work for a company and stayed until he retired. An employer hired a man expecting him to retire from that company. The company took care of his needs and he was loyal to the company. Today, a man goes to work for a company and starts looking for a better job somewhere else. He knows he's only there for a short time. A company hires a man to work for them and starts looking for his replacement, knowing he's going to leave at the first opportunity. The company will lay him off as soon as he starts making too much money, or gets older. He can be replaced with a younger man working cheaper. There is no loyalty between either. It's sad.

[Noah Zark]

Congrats to the three of you!

One door closes, another opens.

Noah

[TedH]

Glad it's all working out for you and family.

[marlinman93]

Better to be loyal to yourself, and just do the best job you can for your employer. I found out the hard way about 20 years ago that nothing is sacred when it comes to the company you work for.
Like yourself I had skill to fall back on, but it took years to get over being betrayed by a company that I thought was upstanding and morally good. If it wasn't for my personal faith, I think I'd still be disgruntled over the way it was done.
Now I'm closing in on 20 years at the employer who hired me afterwards, and even now I never let myself get that secure feeling I used to have. With less than 3 yrs to go, I'm still ready to move on anytime they decide I'm not needed.

[FWiedner]

I had a company lay me off about 20-years ago, and I've been a total mercenary ever since.

Loyalty is overated if they're not willing to pay for it up front.

No money, no love.

[Rusty]

Sunday I read an African proverb:

Calm seas do not make an experienced sailor.



Rusty <><

[Ysabel Kid]

Sage advice Quinn! Glad it is all working out for you and your family, and that you are taking what you've learned and implementing it - and sharing it with us!

[brucew44guns]

At least you got to stay in Oregon Quinn, use those levers on the exploding Black Tail populations around you there!!!

[Griff]

Glad it worked out for you Quinn. And that is good advice.