I'd love to get some opinions on my work issue...should I try to leave, or hold on?

[Honeycombe8]

Last edited Sat Feb 18, 2012, 02:26 PM - Edit history (3)

I'm a _________(job title removed) at a large company. Been there for years. I have a good reputation, work on a good team that gets along, have gotten consistent good evaluations over the years.

The co. is divided into work teams. I transferred to this team a few years ago from another team. We have been very busy these few years. I've worked unbelievable hours and been a dedicated worker. I've kept current on new technology & have some of the best computer skills among the (job title) at the company. I get along with my coworkers, and the VPs seem to like me. We have a smoothly operating team.

We work on very large matters. So we have few matters, since they're large.

Suddenly in November, one of our big matters got concluded. Then our second one did. Then a third and fourth. Our team was suddenly without work. And it has stayed that way.

I have a time quota. I bill my time, so I have to log in all my time spent in a day. Since November, I've had almost no time to enter/bill.

All members of my team, incl. the supervisors/V.P.s, are having this time/work load problem. I'm one of the hardest hit, though, since I'm the newest ________ (job title) on the team, and the V.P. that supervised me passed away. So I have no V.P. to give me work directly or look out for me. I'm on my own.

Every day I go into the office and sit at my desk with absolutely nothing to do. I've cleaned my office, organized it, done personal business (with V.P. approval). Now I'm into increasing my software knowledge by self-training using tutorials. I sit there all day doing tutorials and personal business. With no work. Most of the members of my team get some work, but not me, because I'm at the end of the line, so to speak. I'm now in the third month of having nothing to do. It's very upsetting. I started crying at my desk this afternoon. I don't know how long I can take it.

My paranoia has gotten the better of me. I start thinking that they're wanting me to leave, there's not enuf work for the several ________ (job title) anymore, they are waiting for me to disappear, but they don't want to tell me. They want me to make the move. I spoke with one of the V.P.s this afternoon, when I passed by and saw him in his office, and I was so upset. Maybe I shouldn't have done that. But he was very nice. He said that no one was waiting for me to leave, expected me to leave, there had been no meetings or discussions of people leaving, that work is low for everyone right now, that he understood my concerns but to continue trying to help others, etc. Our team is still a top moneymaker at the co. because of the matters we had earlier this year. He said it's true that if it doesn't get better, they'd have to start thinking about shedding people, but that's down the road & they'd look at everyone, incl. the V.P.s.

Still, I know that if a _________ (job title) is laid off, it would be me.

I am in my late 50s. I'm healthy and look younger (thank you, Clairol!), I think, since people guess my age in the 40s. But age is a fact, and I would be naive not to realize that I might not be able to find another job at my age. And if I did, it wouldn't be within a few weeks. It'd take some time. And then I could expect a paycut of maybe as much as 40% to 50%.

I can't decide what to do. One day I think I should hang in there and wait to see what happens. I'm continuing to get paid, after all. But the next day I think that if I wait and end up laid off, it would be even harder to find a new job unemployed. I updated my resume and have prepared myself for the worst, while hoping for the best. Then another day I think, this brings home the fact how non-secure my position is at the company.

If I can manage to stay there one more year, I think I could handle a big paycut better without it affecting my retirement that much. But I don't know how long I can go into my office and sit there with nothing to do. I'm lucky in that it's not personal, it's a work/team thing. And others are in the same boat.

I'd be grateful for any opinions of what you think of the situation, or what you would do, if you were in my place. (I hope this is the right board for this post; I couldn't decide that, either.)

[roody]

1. Please count your blessings.

So many people are out of work with little opportunity for employment. I am also 58, and I recently realized that I cannot leave my job and get another because of the economy and my age. You can look for other opportunities while you are employed, but it sounds like your company appreciates you.

[Honeycombe8]

9. Thank you for your opinion & reminding me that I'm appreciated. When in a stressful

situation at work, sometimes I lose sight of that, despite the fact that I've made it through several layoffs, etc. I'm a tad insecure.

[tridim]

2. Sounds like a dream job to me.

I'd stay and keep teaching yourself new things, and get paid doing it.

[Honeycombe8]

10. That's what another of my co-workers on my team said. Thanks. nt

[Denver Donkeys]

24. Dont feel bad.

I spent literally a year doing nothing while waiting for my security clearance to go through.

(it never did, so got laid off after 15 months)

But I did get to go out of town twice for training purposes. One to NJ (intentionally to visit my fiance nearby) and the other in Texas.

[Kellerfeller]

25. I disagree

It's nice to have a break to learn new things but often the time goes SOOO SLOWWW when you are doing that. When you have a specific goal or something to accomplish, the time goes much faster.

That being said, I would hang onto the job but be looking around on breaks and non-work time--just in case. Hopefully things will pick back up soon but it is nice to have a back-up plan.

[tridim]

28. Probably depends on the person

I never get bored because I can always find something to do.

I'm also a hard worker, but not a workaholic.

Before the dot-com bubble burst I had a job that was essentially new-media R&D, I had no set assignments, just learning and playing with new technology. To this day I can't believe they paid me what they did for doing that "job". During that time I developed a streaming video site years before YouTube existed. Streaming audio was the rage back then, video was just a dream. The CEO didn't get it, he never understood how it could generate revenue. In hindsight I should have gone solo with it. One of the many times in my life I could have been a millionaire. Oh well.

[jsmirman]

3. I worry about you posting this here

I'm thinking that you never know who is reading this.

With that said, my opinions:

1) You never want to leave a job without a new job to go to. You're getting paid, and that's good. I would think that the idea that you are more attractive as a job candidate if you already have a job carries over to almost all industries. Lord knows, more women are interested in me when I'm dating than when I'm single, lol.

2) Maximizing your skill set is an excellent use of your time. You might want to figure out what skills are vital to solo and small practitioners so that should you lose your job you could hire yourself out as a legal jack of all trades. If they don't have work for you to do, it's probably in their best interests for you to be working on broadening your skill set, so there's nothing wrong with doing that during the time of the day you are at work.

If you're not already a legal research wiz, maybe you can work on those skills. I think that lexis and westlaw offer lots of free tutorials. If you are already a legal research wiz, it's my observation that you can always get better.

3) I'd try to do some looking on the down low. Like I said, it's much easier to jump than it is to grab for a life raft once you're already in the drink. If you know how to discretely reach out to legal headhunters, it can never hurt. You have a specific set of skills, and you never know who's looking.

But don't leave your job on your own. And if you're laid off, at least to my understanding, you get to collect unemployment, but if you quit, you don't get anything. Unemployment can be a vital lifeline while you're looking, should it come to that.

[Honeycombe8]

8. Thanks for the tip. You are so right. So I edited to remove identifiable info.

That's how discombobulated I am today.

You gave some excellent suggestions. I think that's a very good path. Thank you. I appreciate it.

Yes, I checked on the unemployment. I'd get about 6 mos., I think.

[jsmirman]

16. Let me know if I can edit my post, too

I'd like to edit out anything that references your line of work, etc., if you've got the info.

Those six months, you mention - seriously, don't knock them. I'm sure you know this, but those can make a big difference.

[Lil Missy]

4. It wouldn't hurt to "explore" other options.

Looking around doesn't obligate you to take new job. And, it takes so long to get to and go through the application/interview process that you might know more about your current job by then.

I wish you the best.

[Honeycombe8]

11. That's true. I could get the ball rolling, at least. Thank you. nt

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

5. To thine ownself be true.

Are other law firms experiencing no work? Do you have connections/acquaintences in the field that could tip you to openings? It's not your responsibility to generate the work so go in with a smile and be glad to still be getting a paycheck when you've not done anything. You aren't the only one in the office doing that. Besides, nothing lasts forever and a big job could land at your feet Monday.

[Honeycombe8]

12. You know, you've reminded me how much I've lost my optimism.

"Nothing lasts forever" is one of my favorite truisms. A job could land at my feet...I was assuming not, but you know, it could. I've been trying to keep my attitude upbeat & smile a lot. I've been successful at that, except this paranoia and fear or whatever you call it has hit me a couple of times. It hit me bad today. It's hard, if you can imagine. You get dressed, go to work, turn on your computer, and realize that no one needs you for anything. That you have all day long to self-motivate to do....something. Day after day. Week after week. Now, we're into months. But it's true that I'm not the only one. I'm just the hardest hit. And I don't think the others are increasing skills. I don't know what they're doing (not my business); they're probably in their own world of hurt.

Thank you! I feel better already. (Other places in town do have work. There are places to look.) Thanks!

[MannyGoldstein]

6. Possibility: volunteer to work part-time if the company needs you to

They'll appreciate the option, and it could show that you're eager to work with them towards a good outcome for the firm. If your pay would get cut 40% or 50% at another full time job, getting it cut 50% and only having to work half-time at your current gig may be a better option. And when things pick back up, all will be well.

I'm not necessarily suggesting that you do this, but it's an option.

And start networking and keeping an eye open for something more secure! It's out there for you, but you need to find it!

[Honeycombe8]

14. That's actually a very interesting idea. If they would go for that, instead of a layoff...

I would come out ahead, because of the benefits and other things. Something to mention a little later, maybe, if work doesn't pick up, & I think they're going to shed team members. Thanks!

[MannyGoldstein]

18. I've been on the other side of that

I'm a manager in a professional services company - I know when some groups were light on billable work, their managers deeply appreciated when folks took their vacation, unpaid leave and whatnot.

Good luck!

[applegrove]

7. I used to find it so stressful to not have anything to do at work. I wonder if because the cases

were all settleled that the law firm is doing well, is happy and are keeping you on because you are all valuable. I would go to a senior partner's assistant and ask them if they can't think up a special project for you to do: a new system, etc. Think laterally. Get on the internet and see if there are any new systems for law firms out there, managerial programs, or whatever that you could then become an expert on and implement at your firm. And while you are asking to do this special project you could mention that you are finding it stressful and would like some clarification from the big bosses as to how long you will be without work.

[Honeycombe8]

13. Think outside the box, and be an originator. That IS what truly resourceful people do.

I can do that. I've actually done that before, as a byproduct of something we needed to make something happen. I hadn't thought of doing that at this time. Thanks so much.

[airplaneman]

15. Being a working drone myself.

Im also late 50's, kept up with technology and am well respected and fairly decently paid at work. My future is also with good and bad possibilities. One of my sayings is you can F... with my mind but dont F... with my income. I am also looking at a 50% drop in pay if I have to go somewhere else to work and possibity having a long hunt. I will work one more day if I am told it will be the last or every day until I am ready to retire if not. I will try to remain optimitic even though I worry a lot. If my income drop anyhow, as if they do F... with my income, I will start looking at other options. I go to work some days with my tail up high and feeling optimistic and other days with my tail down thinking it wont be long before something bad happens. Ultimately I am hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. I am scrambling to get completely out of debt (3-4 years to go) and stockpiling food and water for one year (getting into survivalist mode just in case). Overall it helps to have a plan. Best of luck to you.
-Airplane

[Yo_Mama]

17. Look for a job now, while you have one

When you get an offer, go in and talk to the higher-ups and tell them to give you the straight scoop.

Since you're not getting any work, you've got to worry. Looking for a job is better than sitting crying at your desk. Also scratch around at the company and see if you can find any overflow from another group/department, which might make it easier to transfer.

While you are looking for work, some may come along for your group, so don't take this as the voice of doom. It's just that it is much, much easier to get a job while you have one, and your age isn't going to make looking for a job any easier.

[sarcasmo]

23. +1

[newfie11]

19. I would be looking

Sitting around worrying isn't going to do you any good and not worth the anxiety. Go with your feelings. If you think there maybe be a chance of a layoff look for another job.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

20. I'd be actively looking. Your circumstance...

... sounds to be stressing you significantly (understandably). Extended periods of stress can take a real toll on our health -- I'd be looking to change your circumstance as soon as you can, as employed job candidates tend to receive more favorable consideration than the unemployed with similar experience/background.

I wish you the best of luck.

[B Calm]

21. If you leave on your own, you

will not receive unemployment compensation. Wait until they have a layoff!!

[ecstatic]

45. +1 NT

[2pooped2pop]

22. Stay

make them get rid of you ,if that is in the plans. You will have an easier time collecting unemployment that way. You may be right that others are hoping you will go to keep the competition down, but it is not personal. It's not YOU they want gone.

Continue to train yourself. Hell, take some online classes or something. Make yourself as good of a job candidate as you can. Seek other employment while at this one. Only if something very promising comes up should you consider jumping ship.

You are only 1 big matter away from being able to fully use your skills and show everyone how invaluable you are.

That big matter could come any day. Maybe it's today.
Good luck.

[Yavin4]

26. Stay and Take Classes at Night

Do not quit without a job. Broaden your skills base beyond pure tech. Learn and master a foreign language or two.

[Honeycombe8]

29. You know, this might be a great time to learn Spanish. I live in an area where knowing Spanish...

is an asset. I think it's too late in the year for a college course, but maybe there's another type of course I can get into. I like French, and am of French ancestry, but it's not that useful here.

[Yavin4]

40. I'm using Rosetta Stone to Learn Spanish

It's going okay so far. Being fluent in Spanish is very helpful with government work.

[lunatica]

27. It's best if you stop thinking in either/or mode

You have more than either/or choices. You can stay at your job and get paid, learn new skills or brush up on the latest skills while getting paid and look for another job while getting paid. This could be a real opportunity to move your career.

As for your age. I understand your fears because I've had them. I was laid off when I was 62 and immediately hired because I have a great deal of experience and institutional memory. The people that hired me weren't hiring for part time work, yet they hired me part time (I already had a part time job) and when they asked if I would quite my other job to work full time for them I told them I would not (this was in a panel interview with 5 people asking questions). When they asked why I wouldn't leave the other job I said I promised my employer that I wouldn't leave. Getting the job surprised the shit out of me, but I got it and to this day they're always asking me to quit the other job and go work for them full time.

Your experience counts. Your life counts. This is an opportunity you should take full advantage of. Take it while you have it.

And remember that life doesn't end just because you're in your 50s. It ends when you're dead. Not a minute before that.

[Honeycombe8]

31. Thank you for your kind post. It was so uplifting for me.

To know that someone was laid off at 62 and went on to other things gives me hope. I can't imagine how hard a blow that must have been for you at the time. I'm not sure I could've handled that.

You are so right that I really am lucky in certain respects. I do have an opportunity here that most do not have. I'm not being shoved out the door with no notice. I have some time to increase skills and make plans & look for a new job.

I will try to remind myself that my experience counts and I'm a worthy person that matters. Even if our work picks up and they don't lay me off, I am going to try to find other employment. Looking back, I realize that I have not really been valued as an integral team member like I should've been. I've heard the words, "You're the best ____(job title) I've ever worked with," and "What happened to Bill, being fired, is something that you'll never have to worry about; you're too valuable to this team," etc. Just words. Push come to shove, no one has gone out of his way to send work my way or even speak to me about what's going on. Words are cheap. I think they need to find someone else to come in and work all night, or to stay current with advanced levels of the current software. And I think I need to find employment where I feel valued, if I can. Like you, I am highly skilled and have an impeccable work history. I just need to find a place that's not hung up on my age.

Thank you so much for your uplifting post.

[RebelOne]

30. I think you should hang in there as long as you can.

Since it is a large company, if they do let you go, you should get a very nice severance package. I know I did when I was laid off in 2010. You will also be able to collect unemployment. Don't just up and quit. Have another job lined up before you do.

[Honeycombe8]

32. Thank you. I'm not sure about the severance.

For my level, which is sort of mid-management I guess you could say, they give you 2 weeks' pay if you're fired. If you're part of a structured layoff, where they lay off a number of people, they give you more than that...maybe one months' pay. But I don't know what they give for an individual layoff. If they've ever done that. I know they've fired people a few times who filed for unemployment. I knew they were fired because of problems with the person, but the co. might've called it a layoff. I don't know what severance they got. It'll be either 2 or 4 weeks, though, I guess.

They give V.P.s a lot more than that, of course. And they tell them months in advance, so the VP can find other employment. They don't do that with my level.

Yes, I've decided to line up another job, even if the work does increase. I think my position at the co. isn't good, and now I have some bad feelings about the company and the supervisors over this situation. I think it's time for me to move on. I will have a better chance to find something while I'm still employed, and esp. while I'm not desperate.

Thank you for taking the time to post your opinion. I don't know about you, but when I'm in the middle of an issue, it's hard for me to see the situation clearly. It helps to hear objective opinions. Thanks.

[Vincardog]

33. Start something on the side. Something you can do to generate income and fill the time.

Don't believe for a minute that any company will keep you on and not have work for you.

[Honeycombe8]

36. That's what I told a friend of mine. It's business. They don't keep people on the payroll,

if there's no work for 'em. My friend told me I'm being paranoid. But I agree with you. This is not a low work load period that is short term. There is a serious work problem with the team that may, or may not be, long term. I've already moved some personal belongings out of my office. My friend laughed at me for doing that, but I thought it was prudent. If I'm laid off, I might be too upset to gather all my stuff, and policy is that you can't come back later to get it. The mail guys pack the stuff & send it to your house.

Thanks. I'll give the starting something for myself on the side some thought. I can't imagine what that might be, except for Ebay. But I can think about it. Dog sitting service? Dog walking? We have so many of those services here already. I'll think on it, though. Thanks!

[Vincardog]

37. Make a list of your skills. Make another list of who or what organization might be able to use them

There are online free lance sites. Check out people or businesses that pay people to do what you can/want to do.
Sell yourself to those people and or businesses.

[LiberalEsto]

34. I have been through the not having any assignments situation

and it is nerve-wracking.
I hated not having anything to do, and worrying whether I was going to be let go.
I went around begging people for work.

My suggestion is to ask someone to call a team meeting and do some serious brainstorming.
Maybe your team can come up with a great proposal that can be put into operation.

Good luck with everything!

[Honeycombe8]

42. Thank you. I'm afraid that my V.P.s are too stuffy and uncommunicative...

to listen to any suggestions from underlings.

This is a team where, when someone pointed out to the head guy at a meeting that we weren't including the secretaries at some function, he said "fuck 'em."

[Curmudgeoness]

35. I am at your age too, and

I would not leave. I don't know how you should keep your sanity there for now, but I do know that you do not want to be in a position to be out of work.

If you are let go for lack of work "sometime in the future", you will at least have that much more paychecks until that happens. And you will be eligibible for unemployment insurance, which would give you some breathing room to look for another job. But you are right, you may never find another job at this point, and you will likely take a cut in pay to find one. Do NOT put yourself in that situation. Just don't.

If you want to put feelers out for something else, or start sending out resumes, that could work---as long as your company would not have blind p.o. boxes for applicants or would likely get word from others in the business that you are looking. If that could be the case, make them get rid of you.

[Honeycombe8]

43. Points well taken. I think I could look for new job on the low, if I'm careful.

The add'l paychecks will come in handy, whether I do or don't find a new job. Thanks for your suggestions and advice. You don't sound much like a curmudgeon at all!

[Curmudgeoness]

46. Curmudgeoness started as a protest in real life.

I have never been married, and I always have a cat or two. There was a discussion about me being an "old maid", and I have always had a real problem with that term (I think it all goes back to me childhood and the game, but it is also demeaning). So I decided that men who have never been married had a much more interesting term---curmudgeon.

Of course, in RL I am not all that tolerant of people, and especially stupid people, and I think there are a lot of stupid people out there. So it is harder for me to be nice when I have to deal with people when I am not in the mood---and I come here only when I am in the mood. So I do have a RL reputation for being ornery. The name fits in RL.

[mcar]

38. I have a very similar situation to yours

And I'm holding on and keeping a low profile. My workload has always had ebbs and flows but the ebbs have never been this bad. I find I'm dragging out the few jobs I have and doing my best to suggest more things and offer to help where I can.

I'm also struggling with a very painful, chronic repetitive stress injury so I'm using the downtime to get PT and be more healthy if my workload does pick up.

Hang in there. We'll get through.

[Honeycombe8]

41. I hate that you have a similar problem, but it helps to know I'm not the only one.

This is going on for you right now? This is so odd because we're coming out of the recession, so things are supposed to be improving. It's like my company has had a delayed reaction to the recession. We had layoffs 2 years ago.

I hate that I've cried and acted like a sissy. My voice even cracked when I spoke to the V.P. I'm of French ancestry, so I can be dramatic a bit at times. Not one of those wacko people who cries or gets angry at the drop of a hat. But in an office where emotions are frowned upon, I'm sure the V.P. didn't think much of my emotional state. They SHOULD have had a team meeting to discuss what's going on. That's why I was upset...no one was talking about the situation, so I didn't know what to think.

Oh, well. Spilled milk. Do you think you might get laid off? Or is this sort of accepted at your company?

Good luck to you. It helps to know someone else is going through the exact thing at the same time. It never crossed my mind that there would be, which is silly. Thanks for your post. It has helped.

[LiberalFighter]

39. Consider volunteering for a non-profit or charity during the low time

that the company would be willing to be associated and take credit. This would look good on your resume if later you need to find another job.

[Honeycombe8]

44. Interesting. I'm hoping to do some of that when I get a new job...

if that happens. When I have regular hours, which I haven't had in years. But as for my co. being associated with it, the co. already has charity associations out the wazoo because they make the executives do community work to associate with the company. But I would like to do something that's not all about ME, if and when I have regular hours. Of course, I might have lots of time on my hands in the near future!

Thanks for your post and adding to the suggestions. Lots to think about.