Freakin out!! People are being laid off all around me!

[Jennifer_and_Chris]

We knew this was coming but, it still doesn't help.... Our company (DH and I work for the same company) is laying of people today... we call it Black Friday. Usually if you are being let go, by the time you come in, you get an email from the boss that he/she would like to see you as soon as you get in.

Both DH and I have not gotten that email. But, we've seen several of our team members being escorted out of the building. I passed by 3 on my way to my cube.

While it's only 9am here, it's a day I already want to be over....

How are we supposed to concentrate on work? This is such a moral crusher.

[PirateLover]

That is really tough. :pixie: for making it through this round of layoffs. If you haven't gotten the email, maybe you are off the hook. Try to focus on your work to distract you from the layoffs, rather than letting the layoffs distract you from your work (I know that's hard). I hope the day flies by and both of your jobs are OK.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

I've been through this twice, and it is a horrible experience. In fact, it almost seems worse to be "left" than to be one of the ones let go.

Today will be hard, don't panic about getting a lot of work done, everyone knows it won't be a productive day, do what you need to do to get through it, there will lots of people who just want to talk.

They usually don't like to draw it out, so if you don't have the email yet, you aren't going to get it (in my past experience). Not knowing is the worst though, isn't it?

I'm sure so many people here will be sending good thoughts, prayers and :pixie: your way for today, and next week.

[Ms. Mode]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your co-workers during this difficult day.

When things like this are going on around you at work it's very easy to lose your concentration on the job at hand...we call it a variance.

Good luck to you and DH:mickey:

[DVC2004]

I'm really sorry- I know it's a terrible feeling. Hang in there. I am sending prayers and pixie dust for you and your coworkers.

[murphy1]

I have been laid off twice and so has my husband (over a 20 year period of our careers). It definitely makes you a stronger person. What I've walked away with was a belief in myself and some of the best friends that I am still in contact with today. The only company I worked for that I have total respect for to this day is State Farm (not one of the places I was laid off of, I quit after I had kids). If you ever go work there, you will have a job for life and it's a great company.

[Jennifer_and_Chris]

Well, DH and I are both still employeed. We got an email from each of our Division heads to go to a division "stand up" meeting in a few minutes. Can only be the "this had to be done. stay productive and work harder. blah, blah, blah.... "

Its sooo true that it's almost better to have been one of the people let go. I fear a sence of false security and total paranoia.

From all the whispering and stuff going on around me, I think there were over 100 people let go in our location ... 43 on our team alone.

[Dsnygirl]

Sending loads of pixie dust your way, and your DH's, too... we've been through it twice with my DH, the most recent being January. It's an awful feeling!!

I sure hope things continue to work out for you guys at your company... my SiL and her DH both work for the same company in Detroit, too, and are always wondering if they're next... it's so tough.

Good luck to you guys!!


:pixie: :pixie: :pixie: :pixie:

[BigRedDad]

This is always a difficult time at work. All you can do is wait it out. Forget being productive because it is not going to happen. DO NOT gossip about it or discuss rumors with any one, not even your husband at least not at work with him). Layoffs usually happen quickly and early because they want it over with and the people that are there to stop worrying.

You will feel survivor's guilt. Just be thankful you are not one to be laid off, especially if unemployment is insane in your area. The best thing for you to do is try to stay busy.

In my department, we went from 13 to 5 in the matter of 2 months. They think we are idiots, but we know how it works. Everyone in every single department gets a 10 minute meeting notice. The ones being let go are first. The question is at which person does it stop. In my case, I was #9 on the list. The last layoff was before me. My manager told me and the others that she figured they would know what was going on because I would not be let go. She figured they knew that and would get the picture. Well, none of us did.

[Jennifer_and_Chris]

Well, we got back from a long lunch. DH and I just needed to get away and be by ourselves even though everyone wanted to go to lunch together. Misery loves company. Many of them were meeting some of us that got let go. DH and I didn't want to be part of that pity party and really just wanted to be together - alone. We talked about our faith and how the first thing we both wanted to do during this whole morning was leave and go to church to thank God for His blessings. He will always provide for us in ways we can not comprehend.

The managers told us that they don't expect much from anyone today since it has been trying on everyone. But, we are all still going through the motions... the only thing that will get us through. There's a thickness in the air that hasn't quite cleared. This is the 4th or 5th round of layoff's in the last 2 years or so. We've never really felt it this much as the first few rounds were more of the dead weight of the sales force being let go and those on performance plans. And they have only been handfuls here and there in our division. This has definitely been the biggest layoff for us. Our team was about 270. Now we are 43 people lighter.

Anyways, that's just how it goes in Michigan. No matter your station or industry, almost everyone's living is made from the auto industry. And we all know how that industry is doing.

Sorry to keep rambling... I just needed to get it out of my system. Thank you everyone for being there virtually for me. Intercot is more than just "Disney" stuff to me. :hug: :whew:

[BigRedDad]

I know how you feel. It was good to get away from the pity party.

If there is any bright lining to this, you can rest assured that there were a bunch of executives let go and no bonuses being given out for the year to any executive. Sorry, but you have to see the ridiculous side of any layoff.

[MNNHFLTX]

Wow, I can only imagine how tough this day has been for you and your husband, especially as you both work for the same company. I hope your weekend gives you time to recoup and clear your head a little.

[TheVBs]

So sorry you had to go through this! :( We're in Michigan as well. DH has survived 5 layoffs at the company he's worked for the last 10 years. It's rumoured that another round is coming in a couple months and it's very stressful waiting to find out. I'm so glad you both still have your jobs!

[russ57]

In 2001 while on vacation at disneyworld, the company I worked for did a mass layoff, 1st day back on pulling in parking lot found 50% more parking. Upon arrival on the floor, was taken to manager office and told what was up, thank heavens I was still employed there for another 6 mo before the layoff hit.

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

I'm so sorry for your fellow workers who were let go but am glad to hear you were spared. Try to enjoy the weekend anyway. You might want to also be very visible and toot your own horns at work to make them know you are busting your butts.

[Kathy Jetson]

Glad to hear you still have your jobs I know how stressfull layoffs are.