Today was a turning point for my job/career/time at a tech startup.
My boss took me aside at 4:45 (yes on a Friday) to tell me the news. And at that time he's typically coaching his kid's soccer games (on a Friday) so I knew it could not be good.
In the past few weeks he's been pretty tied up in meetings. The days I've worked from home he has not even called (which is weird). All of the e-mails I've gotten the past few weeks have not said more than "thanks" or something brief. I knew the shit was about to hit the fan.
He told me a tad before 5 as I mentioned above that we were firing our tele-prospecting partner. That's the company that for $$ each month looks for leads for us. Hot leads. Leads that we're too busy to get ourselves. So they are fired (for now). Crap, I know one of the guys reads Gather but he does not have a computer at home...so perhaps my secret is safe (for now).
Then came the bad (worse) news. Each and every person in the firm is being affected. Me, well I'm different. I'm the LOWEST ranked human in the firm (yep, at 7 years out of college that is still the case). Even the engineer we just hired who just relocated from PA is ranked higher. Well, he is an engineer after all. And salespeople (the ones who feed the famlies of all those in the firm) are always the first to go.
I know I should not be ranting about this in a Blog. I know I should not be putting this out on the World Wide Web. But I am. So take it as you will.
I've got the summer off. "So you can do more photography" my boss said. *guffaw* as if the $10/hr I get from that job PAYS the mortgage. As if. Yeah it's fun. But guess what--that takes back burner for gigs in the summer because...well it's the summer.
I did not clean out my office. I did not take any files home *evil laugh* I did not tell anyone other than my office mate (and from the safety of a cell call while we were both in traffic).
I did however secure myself a call for Monday am with my friend's boss. For contract work. For the summer. For something to tide me over because unemployment will not pay the bills (damn you government with a small 'g'). So as usual, the bad news hits the fan before 5pm and by 6:30 I've got a lead. In fact, I've got two leads. I've sent in an application for a job I got hired for last spring but could not take.
So there you are.
What: Leah G. for hire
Why: 90 days of thumb twiddle is not attractive nor does it pay the bills.
How: Will work from home to save on gas $$
When: ASAP, my two weeks left of pay will run out soon. Will work for food only if it comes from Whole Foods. Will work for Gather points. *grin* Will work for cat food (Nutro only please).
And the reason I work in High Tech again is? Just kidding...I love it. Which is why I did not clean out my office today. Which is why I'm going to check e-mail every day for the 'big deal coming down the Pike' and well voice mail too. Just so I can keep the red light off so my office mate (now by herself for 90 days) does not have to see it.
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Comments: 12
In your case, it's only temporary so perhaps as Mary says, you can relax and enjoy the time. I also think Mary's right about compensation though. When my company temporarily cut our hours we were eligible for Unemployment to make up the difference. I would look into it!
They gave me 2 weeks. And keep in mind they can do what they want. I'm 'employed at will'. The problem is because of my non-compete agreement I can't go work for a competitor.
Also, my office is full. My database is full. My e-mail bin is full. I've got work waiting for me come September (which is a blessing in this day and age)
It's like being a school bus driver where they collect unemployment for the summer. So I can work up to 30 hours and still collect (that's why I'm going to be a contractor because I just need the $$ not the benefits).
There is no relaxing until I find a job.
There's no rest for the weary. Not to sound like a spoiled brat, but I have 2 houses and a family...they need me to work at least 40 hrs/week plus the photo job. I may not have kids yet...but I've got school bills to pay for fall classes. And I'm going to Alaska in July (paid for)
I will not be able to relax or rest until I figure out what to do for the next 90 days. And what if they can't afford to hire me back in September? Then I really need one of my leads to be damn good...
Good luck in finding something that will suit you!
you rock. :)
Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday. Perhaps I will relax now that I've had a night to digest it all.
Wow, sorry you had to go thru that BS. The funny thing is my parents are so confused about the whole thing because they don't work in corporate America. And they have pension waiting...
Well I believe things happen for a reason. So far so good with my friends reaching out to help how they can.
And congrats--what will you be doing??
I can't get a job in the same field (survey sales) because my current boss needs to act as a reference. So perhaps working for a competitor is the way to go later down the road. I intend to stay in high tech.
Things are looking up...the sun is shining and I've landed a temp job for the next two days with Microsoft. (!)
It's all good.
Now, I'm going to head to the office, take home some stuff, and look into filing for unemployment.