Sunday, January 31, 2010

Shaking things up

On Friday morning my husband was let go from his job, suddenly and without warning. 11 other employees were also let go, some had been at the company for 20+ years. When he told me, I was shocked, pissed at his company and immediately tallied a list of services to call and cancel.

My husband took it a bit differently than I did. He was hurt. After working his tail off and giving them his all, he was the second person to be let go. When they brought him in and told him, they didn't give him a reason; they assured him that it was not performance based. However, as someone who has never lost a job before, he took it very much to heart and while I wanted to slap someone in the head he just wanted an explanation.

It turns out his job was outsourced to another state, but still within the company. The company decided that rather than give anyone the option of moving with their job (and subsequently needing to help with relocation costs) they would lay everyone off and give them a small severance package. We only discovered this information because some of his friends were spared the axe and found out in a meeting held after the layoffs had ended.

In my humble opinion, that's a totally dick move.

The past few days have been kind of hazy as we're recovering from the financial blow and discussing what to do next. Hubs has a job offer in South Carolina and his old job is moving down there (and he was so happy at that job that he wants to stick with it) so he wants to reapply for that before accepting the first offer. We've made up our minds to move, provided one of the jobs pans out, to Greenville, South Carolina and are going to be going down in a few weeks to look at apartments and neighborhoods so I can get a feel for the area. He's been down there several times, but I have not. All of our friends and family live in our current area and I know I'll be driving home frequently to visit, but as hard as it will be to pack up our stuff and the kitties and move 10 hours away, the change of scenery will definitely do us some good.

Everything is happening so suddenly, I just need to remember to breathe.

14 comments:

  1. Take a deep breath and go with your heart! This is just another challenge in your life and marriage.
    I have have been though so much in my almost 30years of marriage...Hang in there!
    Remember all the money in the world can not buy TRUE happiness!
    Bugs & Hisses
    Patty

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  2. I am so sorry. I know it seems all too much at the moment but keep a positive attitude and let go of the anger and focus on the new adventure. My Sweet Man lost his job with Ford Motor Credit Company when our daughter was a senior in high school. With college costs and graduation expenses, I was overwhelmed but ya know, as I look back on it now (years removed of course), it was a very good thing for us. Brought us closer as a couple and as a family. SM was able to enjoy her senior year and take her to college and that never would have happened if he had been tied to his 16 hour a day job. Some day this will seem like a bump not the mountain of pain it looks like now. (((((hugs)))))

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  3. Hi sweetie,

    Just a big comforting hug from me.

    xxx
    Es

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  4. Big 'ole sloppy hugs for you!!!!

    Our company was recently sold and no one was sure if they would have a job when the new company took over.... I just kept telling myself that I'm young and this surely isn't the worst thing that's going to happen to me/us. You gotta just keep on trucking and enjoy the new journey your about to embark on! Remeber the saying that the only constant is change... buckle up and enjoy the hell out of it!!

    PS... you're gonna love the Carolinas!!! :)

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  5. Just read this quote on another blog I read and thought I'd pass it along to you!! I LIKE it!!

    "Accept where you are today, and working toward what's ahead, is the best you can do."
    "Find your own happiness and dance with it"
    ~Jenna Woginrich~
    from the book Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life

    And I just noticed her name!! She's got to be cool!! LOL!!

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  6. Danni, I'm so sorry. A fresh start could be just what you need, though, and it's so WARM in South Carolina compared to here up north. I lived there for 12 years and loved it. I wish you the best of luck.

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  7. (Delurking here)

    It's so frustrating when they just come to you and say, more or less, 'see ya'. Yes, definitely a dick move. Keep watch for the opportunities that will open before you, and I'm certain you'll find the way.

    On a side note, the book Ms. Gayle mentioned (Made from Scratch) is a fabulous way to step out of your own life for a moment when you just need a break.

    Luck to you darlin'.

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  8. I'm very sorry to hear that and I hope that this is a good change for your family :)

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  9. I am so sorry to hear about your husbands loss. I hate the way some companies are handling such issues... They never seem to take into consideration the effects of what they are doing... I am glad to hear that despite the blow you are taking it well and already have jumped back with plans for the future... i wish you luck in your search and hope it all works out for the best.... blessings

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  10. Oh My... I pray that this huge transition gives birth to wonderfull things for your and your family!! HUGS

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  11. I hate when companies don't appreciate the people that really RUN the companies! Grrr! I'm so sorry for your husband - I understand how dissappointed he must feel.

    Perhaps you were meant to have a new adventure. It sounds like you aren't opposed to this area - it might be nice to start fresh. I hope that everything works out for both of you the way that you hope.

    Blessings!

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  12. This is a huge upset and I can only imagine the frustration and worry you two must be going through right now. However, I do know that you are wonderful at keeping your head and adapting to change; and I hope that this new opportunity will turn out to offer you something you mayn't be able to see just yet.

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  13. Oh I feel for your husband. =( It's easy to forget that after being in a job for so long that the corporation as a whole doesn't have feelings for you like you do for it. You're right, it IS a dick move.

    And now a move on your part too. Wow. When things decide it's time for whatever reason to change sometimes it really kicks you in the ass! Hang in there, darlin. I am rooting for you.

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  14. This same type of thing seems to be happening to a lot of folks right now. I'm just sorry it happened to you and your husband. :(

    Sounds like you're going to be quite busy for awhile.

    I wish you guys only the best.

    )O(

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