OT: Stress in the Jobplace.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:22 am

I think quite a few of us have been through the layoff experience. While it’s the pits to get the pink slip, you can’t underestimate the drawbacks of being one of the people still employed at the company.

You know the feeling. The layoff news hits like a physical blow, especially when you’re losing co-workers with whom you’ve bonded. This is followed by an intense case of survivor’s guilt. Why them and not me?

Once the smoke clears a little and you can start to breathe, you do the “what ifs?” What if that had been me? How would unemployment have affected my ability to make ends meet? You realize how much you depend on that steady paycheck and, man, what a wake-up call!

At this point, you’re motivated to run a little faster on the “treadmill” to earn your keep, so to speak. And you are going to be running faster because you’re going to be doing your work and the work of the people who were laid off. The At-least-I-still-have-a-job relief starts to wear off a little when you realize that you may be left in a special kind of hell.

How do you know when the job that you’re left with may no longer be a good one even if there is a steady paycheck?

I'm sure many of us have been through this more than once. Most of us had to put up with it, without a better choice. You have to keep those sparks coming off that grindstone. Jim

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:39 am

I go home every night saying thank goodness I have a job, but at a cost Goofproof alludes to.

And what also hurts is a layoff at an "advanced" age going out competing for jobs so many others and many alot younger. I have a friend who recently placed an ad for his small business and got almost 900 resumes with two thirds of them from over qualified people willing to take any job to have an income.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:07 pm

Bonnie wrote:I go home every night saying thank goodness I have a job, but at a cost Goofproof alludes to.

And what also hurts is a layoff at an "advanced" age going out competing for jobs so many others and many alot younger. I have a friend who recently placed an ad for his small business and got almost 900 resumes with two thirds of them from over qualified people willing to take any job to have an income.

And finding you can't get that job you are overqualified for because they know "You won't stay. and put up with our Crap" for what we are willing to pay someone that knows nothing. The would rather have someone that knows nothing about everything, so they can mold them in their image.

I went to work for K-Mart, as a mechanic, during one of my lay-offs from Coal Mining. My boss hadn't had the shop, making a decent profit in the 12 years he worked for them. (He was trained by the companys that ran them)

He started as a young pup, and molded to their every idea. I worked for him for over a year, we made money, treated people fairly and had a good time doing it. The boss and I became good friends and still are to this day.

But this came with a down side, he saw the light of the real world, and that caused trouble with his dealings with the company. He saw what they really thought about him, and how they really treated him. So he left and went into business for himself. Jim

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 4:32 pm

try finding a new job after you turn 50, experience is something you don't put down on a resume or the year you graduated from college.

Spend 10 or 15 years with a company and get laid off, you are now screwed. There is more age discrimination going around than what gets talked about.

Unemployment figures you see on TV are no way accurate, those are only the people ON unemployment, after your 26 weeks runs out you are not even counted.

Bush signed the Unemployment 13-week extension just the other day, you can reapply for that extension on or after July 6th and you will get another 13 weeks worth.

We have NOT seen the worst of this economy yet.

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:48 pm

You certainly described what it is like to be in a layoff situation. We have friends in the telecom industry who have repeatedly been through this experience.

Without knowing more specifics, and given you are asking, I advise you look at other available jobs to see if there is one that would allow you to move up/advance your career. If while looking you find that you like where you are at more in comparison, then you have your answer, which is that the risk of future layoffs may be worth the risk of staying in a job you like more. Or, if you find no other viable jobs, you also have your answer to stay in your current job.

Absolute best wishes!

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:20 pm

I was more or less bringing up what a lot of people face, my days of rubbing my nose on the grinding wheel are over, I'm out of sparks. Not that I haven't worn out a few grinding wheels in my day. I wish I was in a position to make a few sparks again. My last employment was for 25 years, out of those I worked 17 3/4 years, the rest was being laid off and bouncing left and right where ever I could find a hole. Now that I am in a position to do what I want, my body won't let me do anything useful. Jim

OldLincoln · Post by **OldLincoln** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:19 pm

Lots of stories and arguments on this subject, here's mine. After 24 years doing things the Ma Bell way I took an early retirement buy out. I was grousing around saying no one would want to hire a middle aged administrator. A friend had a stern talk with me and instructed me to buy the book "What Color is Your Parachute" and work every exercise in it.

I did and it really turned me around. Through a long series of progressive exercises, it shows you the transferable skills you have acquired in your old job. Then when writing a resume or in an interview you focus on them. I realized I have the experience critical to many jobs because I am good at the skills required. I would demonstrate that in an interview by breaking out the skills in the experience they require then give examples of how I have experience with the same skills.

My point is you learn skills in life not just how to do your job. Sell the skills!

OldLincoln · Post by **OldLincoln** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:30 pm

Something I forgot.... When you stay while others leave, you see your friends get all the good jobs available in your area. Then when the company shut the doors, you are worse off than they were earlier. It's not always good to stay to the bitter end.

I know a few pretty sharp people that when it was pretty clear the dance was ending but the company was still denying it all took their remaining vacation immediately to look full time for a job. Most were saving it for the layoff vacation pay off.

They all got jobs because a) they were sharp; b) they were still fully employed; c) the public didn't know about the pending shutdown. Of course being sharp they look at healthy competitors who would benefit with the shutdown.

Just a few things I've learned over the years.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:40 pm

OldLincoln wrote:Something I forgot.... When you stay while others leave, you see your friends get all the good jobs available in your area. Then when the company shut the doors, you are worse off than they were earlier. It's not always good to stay to the bitter end.

I did come out ahead in one respect, In being laid off from one area coal mine over and over, I managed to do something not many miners do, I had permanent seniority at two mines at the same time. The ones that didn't get laid off, only could get in line for the second mine. I went to the top of the list because I had permanent seniority at both mines. In the end it came in handy. While I am not one to like to see people have it rough, I was treated poorly by some of the workers at mine one, and it felt good stepping on them for a change. At mine two, I got to work with a great group of men, the difference of day to night. It ended a pleasure to go to work. Jim

IndyJudy · Post by **IndyJudy** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:18 pm

Wow. All of these comments sound really familiar with what I have experianced. When I was in high school and college, I couldn't wait to "be a grown up" and be out on my own. Working in corporate America and layed off a couple of times will certainly change your mind! I'm 46 and mentally tired of the politics of work.

I called my mom a few weeks ago and said, "If I go to work tomorrow and give my notice, can I move home with you and dad? This grown-up stuff is getting really old!" She said I needed to try it a little bit longer!

I know, I'm pathetic!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:29 pm

I've been seeing (or perceiving) quite the opposite. In the area where I live and work, there's a shortage of (good) help and almost any "warm body" can get a job if they really want to work.
Also, good, experienced (read that "older, mature") workers will get hired before the younger, less experienced people who are more inclined to change jobs or just some day don't show up for work because they didn't feel like it.

Den

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:50 pm

OK, Den, I want to work & I'm on my way......clean out the guest room

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:00 pm

Wulfman wrote:I've been seeing (or perceiving) quite the opposite. In the area where I live and work, there's a shortage of (good) help and almost any "warm body" can get a job if they really want to work.
Also, good, experienced (read that "older, mature") workers will get hired before the younger, less experienced people who are more inclined to change jobs or just some day don't show up for work because they didn't feel like it.

Den

You mean there is an opening at the Mangy Moose Saloon???

I'm packing as we speak!!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:17 pm

Bonnie,

Come on out! I'll try to explain it to my wife when you get here......

Snoredog,

The Mangy Moose is in Jackson (or Wilson) and the problem with having a job over there is that nobody but the filthy rich can afford a place to live.

Other than that, there are many other bars and saloons around here that (I'm sure) you could find employment.

Den ("We'll leave the light on for ya.")

deerslayer · Post by **deerslayer** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:37 pm

Jim i hear ya. After being a butcher for over17years,then starting a practically non profit (going nowhere small family business) thats lasted since 86...all i can say is the bills get paid sooner or later plus we have a roof over our head....most say that's about as good as you can do these days...at least i don't have to worry about job security-or do i ?

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