kinda got blind sided this week, after 3 weeks short of 21 years , my position was eliminated and I was was handed a severance package. 9:00 am Tuesday .. 2:30 pm was flown offsite .
I'm still in shock, Angry , sad , and maybe a little happy .
I worked for a mining company , fly in camp job - 7 days in 7 days out . My role was as instrumentaction/ gas fitter foreman for the last 10 years . 11 prior to that I was on the tools Instrumentation is my trade .
Corporate restructering... ThE company is struggling, I get that ... but I feel I could have been moved to a different position easily, There are a few who are ready for retirement. I won't get into the details, .. But really feelong like none of this makes sense.
I'm looking at this as an opportunity , hurt feelings aside. I gave the company my A game , and was extremely proud of my contributions, and as such , learnt a ton , and made many good friends.
Long story short ..... I get to move home , learn how to live at home , and be the best husband I can. One door closes , another opens .. AND I get to write this next chapter of my life !
Im going to re group and regen ... Work on me for the next few months... 21 years working away... It may be a blessing in disguise .
Ps .. Does any know a good labour lawyer .. May need some advice !
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later...rog
AADD supporting member !!
I'm a collector...not a builder!!Located in sunny central Saskatchewan at the lakehead!
Sorry to hear Roger. It would be a real shock. Too bad they couldn't find you a place through attrition.
This says it all: "One door closes , another opens .. AND I get to write this next chapter of my life" ... keep that thought in mind.
Yes, take time to digest and regroup, I'm sure you'll make out even better.
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Sorry about the loss of your job Roger. I know of a lawyer if he is still practising, his name is Michael Horan and works at Fraser and Beatty in the Toronto Dominion Centre. He won't be cheap but may give you some legal advice.
Wow, I can't imagine what that would be like Rog. I hope the package is good enough that you can take some time to sort through this and unscramble your brain. And has been said, when a door slams shut, another one opens. I hope you are able to put aside the hurt feelings as you say. You don't need to have hard feelings added to an already difficult situation.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Sorry Rog - it is no consolation, but corporate a-holes do not and never did give two hoots about you or anybody else. They are just like politicians. It stings you because you gave your best, and in the end, they didn't care. It does not reflect on you, it is on them.
I have had my position eliminated in the past, as I am sure others have. All you can do is figure out what to do next (if not at retirement age) and get on with the next stage of life. Much harder after over 20 years, but you can do it. Illegitimi non carborundum.
If finances permit, maybe take a vacation - drive or fly somewhere warm, like FLorida, and chill out by a nice heated swimming pool ... maybe jump in a little boat and go fishing if you like fishing ... cold drinks on the pool deck ... kayaking or tubing if you like ... better yet, your own private bedroom and bath, with free lodging for a week or at least a few days ... maybe somewhere with a couple of old Canadian Pontiacs to ride in and help work on a little ... HEY! That sounds like my place! Come visit!
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
My day job came to an end 10 years ago. Took 18 months to get back to a similar wage, or so I thought, except the rascal that promised me the wage never paid me! Later that year a good friend suggested I start on my own. Still growing (nowhere near the same income) but I call the shots and I'm doing something I absolutely love!
Hang in there Rog, justice will surely come your way!
I concur, that truly does suck. Why do they have to do it that way?
Don't beat your self up over it, it had nothing to do with you, just numbers on a page that's all you were to them, even though you thought different. It's hard when you take pride in your work and you think they appreciate you and what you do and then this happens.
Take some time, couple months if you are able, decompress, get back into family life.
Take Dave up on his offer it will be good for body and soul.
Something else will turn up, maybe a chance to try something completely different.
But first, relax, enjoy the moment, worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.
Hey Roger, yeah nobody wants to end their job like that. But it can only get better from here and once you get used to your new lifestyle you'll never look back. And I'm sure you know....you'll never be bored!
Something else will turn up, maybe a chance to try something completely different.
Yes & Yes.
Are there many jobs in Saskatchewan in your expertise?
Todd could tell you about career reinvention ... from dealership service advisor to beekeeper/honey sales.
Many people that I know have reinvented themselves career-wise. I was a landscape architect for 7 years after going to college for 3 years for the same, then I changed direction to work 30 years with the federal government.
All the best Roger.
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Yes. I had enough of the automotive service business and changed into a career that I never thought I'd do in a million years. I enjoy what I do much more than what I was doing. Let's face it. It's much easier to sell a case of honey than a brake job! You'll do fine and I suspect greater things are in store for you Rog. If you can swing it take some time off to reflect and determine what you really want to do .
First I'd like to say you are doing the right thing by sharing this. The loss of employment is right up there with family loss. It's a grieving process and there are stages. I'm confident you will come out on top.
Brian
Roger I too am in the transition stage. I was let go Dec 2 after 8 years.
Got what I thought was a reasonable separation package... pay checks deposited until Mar 20 Then I will apply for Unemployment. Cant wait to find out what those benefits will be.
When I purchased my Hyundai (work car) I bought the additional payment insurance which will make car payments for a while. Only got to go to August and the car is paid off..
Hardest thing I am finding is getting up in the morning, without a commitment to go to
Signed up with a personal fitness coach and that is a worthwhile endeavour.
Chin up, there is some blue sky in those clouds. Cliff
-- Edited by oshawacliff on Friday 3rd of February 2017 01:42:46 PM
Hi Roger. So sorry to hear. I heard in the news about the layoffs but it becomes more real when it affects someone you know. You strike me as a fighter and survivor and someone who doesn't know how to give up; so my money is on you. I agree that talking about something this traumatic will really help you deal with the hurt. There are a lot of guys on Poncho who seem ready to listen and give you support. I love your comment about being the best husband you can be. Family is so important at a time like this. They will be hurting too. Take care!
Hi Rog, these things never seem to make sense when they happen.
I do believe that you have the most important thing that will help you get through this and on your feet again. That thing being a positive attitude. Please vent all that you want ...it'll help immensely.
PS - there is a firm in Toronto that advertises that they are experts in employment separation agreements. They are on contingency so you don't pay unless they get you more money. Their name escapes me right now but I'll watch for their ad on TV.
That's crappy to hear Rog.....but if anyone can land on their feet you will. You've always had a positive attitude and I know that won't change. Your a diversified and knowledgeable guy,don,t let it get you down. Their loss....not yours! Seems to be the way nowadays. My manager that hired me 22 years ago was let go a couple of months ago,with 35 years in the industry...can't replace that knowledge. Take some time to enjoy the family. May be a bit of a bruise to the ego, but like others have said...don't take it personal, they cut #'s not names. Jim
I've never been there but forced layoffs retirement - whatever you call it I'm sure sucks. I wasn't forced into it in a sense
but it's been quite an adjustment.
The old adage - when one door closes another opens, remember when they want you to come & consult,
it's either stick it or it will cost 2 to 3 times what the wages were.
Sorry to hear Roger. Key difference is in what you said and you weren't let go because of work performance but with restructuring. That length of employment should command a decent severance package. There is so much of that going on in the last 10 years or so. Railroad is a good example too, they bring this guy up from the States and pay him millions and he cuts all kinds of jobs for both of the railway companies just to fatten the bottom line. As said, sad but true, there are too many companies when it boils right down you are just a number and barely a name. With your great attitude you will find something, don't worry. You aren't the first guy that this has happened to. Good luck and for sure take some time off to reflect.
Hope you will have time to reflect, decompress, and as you say be a great husband. That says more about who you are than what you do. Once you are back in some sort of balance, I suspect your skills and attitude will indeed open doors where you may have a problem deciding from many offers which direction to take. Keep calm and drive on. Good Luck.
Les
-- Edited by Beau 69 on Friday 3rd of February 2017 09:00:09 PM
My extreme thanks to all of you ! From my heart ... It means a great deal .
after sitting down with. My finincial guy today , I feel a little more at ease ... I've been fiscally responsible as they say ...
the severance is fair , basically they are paying me to work on my cars for 6 months .
gives me time to find the right job , not much for industry in my home town , but the patch is slowly coming back to life.
Im still in disbelief that my position was eliminated , and i wasn't moved to some other capacity .. Their loss , 18 years at that mine ,, I was there for the start , the knowledge of the place .. You can't replace .. But on the org chart .. I was just a box that didnt need to be there .. To some business marvel .
tough times all around .. I'm not the first or the last guy ..
I will write the next chapter ! And have fun Doing it ,, I will be 48 this summer .. Let's give er !!
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later...rog
AADD supporting member !!
I'm a collector...not a builder!!Located in sunny central Saskatchewan at the lakehead!
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod