11 years ago today I got laid off

[XanaDUer2]

From my good-paying dream job. One I worked so very hard to get. It still makes me angry and sad, but it hurts less this year than usual.

It was then my life started spiraling out of control.

[LakeArenal]

1. I hear ya.

Same happened to me in the Bush recession 2009.

I wish you luck and success.

[XanaDUer2]

2. Thanks

It was the worst possible time for a layoff

[LakeArenal]

4. Never a good time. Especially if you were blindsided.

[XanaDUer2]

8. I had almost bought a place

A new CEO of the hospital making a million a year, house country club membership came in. He had bankrupted a small, community hospital in California, then got hired at my hospital. So, he caused shit, then fell up

[Demovictory9]

16. funny how that happens... top people fail then get a better job

[viva la]

3. Sorry. I hope you can find some peace.

Last edited Thu Nov 11, 2021, 02:00 PM - Edit history (1)

The worst is when it was unfair or arbitrary. I can never quite let go of those past events.

[jmbar2]

5. That was a bad year for a lot of folks

I went through the same. It permanently altered my life trajectory. But in an odd way, pushed me to make some necessary changes.

I wish you peace in your journey.

[getagrip_already]

6. My count is up to at least 7 jobs...

Where the company either folded or I was laid off. I can sympathize completely.

I usually ended up falling upwards.

I just started a new job, and at 63, it will hopefully be my last.

Hope all the safety brakes worked for you. It can take a bit of searching, but there are other things you can do.

[walkingman]

7. Back in 2000, the tech bust and associated economy cost a lot of people

their jobs. In many cases those jobs completely disappeared and it has caused hardship for millions. Many companies, some that had been around for decades, went under or never recovered. All caused by speculation, market deregulation, and pure greed. Many walked away with "golden parachutes" while the workers were left in the cold. The result for many companies was to be very skeptical about hiring or to outsourced their jobs.

I was a middle manager that spent all of my time on conference calls, looking at spreadsheets of employees who in reality were just numbers.

Poor management, lack of regulation, greed, and technology has, and continues to create bubbles with real lives at stake.

So sorry to hear about your bad fortune. I totally empathize with your situation. The idea of making business more important than people always has a bad ending - we all end up becoming wage slaves for the powers that be.

Peace

[XanaDUer2]

14. Thanks nt

[hamsterjill]

9. I think there's a lesson for all of us here.

Mine was two years ago, right before COVID. Took me a long time to even remotely recover and I’m still working at that both emotionally and especially economically.

The lesson I think is that our jobs must never define us. We work to have the life OUTSIDE of work. Easier said than done, of course.

Keep going forward! You’re doing great!

[XanaDUer2]

10. Thanks

[The Blue Flower]

11. Me too

It was also the year I turned 60. Been just piecing things together ever since.

[raccoon]

12. Did you work in a factory that moved to another country?

[XanaDUer2]

13. No, a hospital

I was the only librarian in all the facilities. Hospital was expanding. Yet, some of us got laid off. I was told I'd have a job there my whole life if I wanted.

[Skittles]

15. layoffs certainly can have long-lasting impacts

especially if you felt you were treated unfairly

[DFW]

17. That would have spiraled my life out of control, too. Like right into a ditch, one way.

I landed my good-paying dream job at age 23. At age 69, I still have it (somewhat higher rank).

Retirement, it is said, comes when the last nail is hammered into the coffin. I'm in no hurry, but I understand the sentiment.

[XanaDUer2]

18. Thanks for understanding

I was right in the middle of a health crisis, too. So I had pressure on me due to that.

[DFW]

19. It has never happened to me

So, I'd be lying if I were to say, 'I can imagine." I can't. I can only say kudos for weathering the ordeal.

With my wife at my side, I might have. On my own, I would have been a basket case.