Just been made redundant.

[TaintedShirt]

Well, last week after work I got a call. Thanks very much but...

It's taken most of the week to get over the shock. The wife has decided that we need to get away, so thanks to her we are heading away for a few days to someplace. Someplace? Yup all I know is that I need a passport.

The shock and all the free time! I just don't know what to do with it. I did spend last week productively, I finished Borderlands 2.

Any of you been thru the same? How'd you cope?

cheers guys.

[Dooms]

Sucks mate. Were you there long?

Being a IT contractor I'm very used to contracts ending with very short notice (has been <24hrs before) so being out of work doesn't bother me anymore, I just see it as a bit of time off before looking for something new.

Depending on situation (read: Money / Savings) I find the first few weeks is great, catch up on things you've been meaning to do but never really had the time for, enjoy some 'me' time as everyone else is at work... just be lazy. After 2 weeks I start getting bored and the job hunt starts

[TaintedShirt]

Thanks man. Worked there for over 12 years, so hopefully I'll get something. All in the hands of lawyers now. :/

I think the time away is what I need. The last week has been just me staring at a monitor, not able to concentrate. Couldn't even enjoy any of it. The break will get me back on track. Then the me time starts.

[Dooms]

Wow 12 years, yeah I can see that being a bit of a shock to the system after having a fixed routine for that long!

Break will defiantly be for the best and then hit the new year refreshed and ready for new experiences! I'm a very positive thinker and go with "it will all work out!" mentality all the time (much to annoyance of my easily stressed GF) and years of traveling, jobs, being lost, being let go, it always has!!

[TaintedShirt]

lol, the stressed other half. It has stressed my wife out no end, just cos I'm always here in her way. She has her own routine (working from home and all) and I keep getting in her way.

You're right, positive outlook. New job on the way (after I look for it), but before that enjoy my first Christmas off in years.

Cheers mate.


edit. That's it. I'm off for my break. Thanks mate and enjoy the holidays.

[RobbieRoy]

I really do know how you feel - one contract ended with a phone call one lunchtime while walking the dog with my wife. Another, the most recent, was an unexpected meeting when I had a diary full of meetings over the next few months. If I recall correctly, I've been dumped out of contracts, employed and self-employed five times in twenty years. Each time was "thanks, really appreciate all the really good work you've done and don't need you any more due to: (a) budget restrictions, (b) company contraction, (c) employed a cheaper person to do it instead of a contractor or (d) the board decided to put the project on ice" (take your pick).

So my advice is shrug your shoulders, don't take it personally, remain confident of your own abilities and qualities, decide where you want to go and what you want to do next, form a plan to do it and don't give up until you've got there. In the meantime utilise any legal mechanism open to you to recover what's owed to you - and after 12 years, depending on your contract, you should get a decent sum.

Good luck!!

[narz]

Totally sucks in the same boat, been told my job now has an end date after 7 years of loyalty! (laziness).

However I think the new year is a perfect time to be looking, as opportunities open up when people jump ship, move away and try different things in life.

Enjoy the break.

[Smudger]

I may be wrong, but after 10 years service, don't they have to give you 3 months' notice? That should give you a monetary cushion whilst you look for something else. Plus you should get 12x1 week's wages as severance, although by law this can be capped to a fairly insignificant amount, a lot of companies pay that at your current wage

I've been made redundant twice, once I was offered another position in the same company, for more money, the 2nd time I took it as an opportunity to go to Australia for a year to spend my redundancy on beer and women. The rest I wasted.(c) George Best

[DemonHighwayman]

To be honest you did well getting that far, 12 years solid work these days is pretty good going. Any employer is looking to cut corners and save pennies at all possible turns, especially with all the recession crap ongoing. Count your blessings mate that you were regarded highly enough for them to keep you for a decade. It is a bit crappy dropping it on you in December though

My deepest commiserations and I hope your holiday picks you up a bit. All the best for xmas & new year too.

[TaintedShirt]

Thanks guys for your comments and support.

I'm back after a few days away. Feeling much more positive. A new year and a new job. That's what's on the cards.

Hope you all had a great Christmas.

[ik9000]

hang in there chief. as my wife and I have found this past year sometimes the crap things bring better things out that otherwise wouldn't have been. Praying that will be the case for you too.

[Rob_B]

Sucks, I've been on the receiving end but overall it was good for me in the end, I think it ended a period of stagnation that I would never had gotten out if I wasn't forced to!

[TeePee]

I was made redundant in 2011. No notice, no pay, no nothing. I had only been with the company for six months, but it was brutal.

It also lit a fire under me. My first day at my next job was 17 days later. That proved to be a stop-gap. I started my current job about six months after that, at four times the salary of the job that made me redundant. If I hadn't been let go, I might have stayed there.

You have years of experience and skills you didn't have the last time you were looking for a job. This will be a very positive outcome for you!

[Dareos]

Best of luck getting something new bud, definitely best to look at it as an opportunity rather than a disaster, enjoy the break

[TaintedShirt]

Thanks guys for your words. Well some good news now. I did an interview on Monday, my first in over 12 years. I had to even dust off my cv. Now, I say interview as I was under the impression it was just supposed to be an informal chat about doing some part time work for them. Well it seemed to go well, still seemed like a chat but it went well.

Got an email today and I start full time on Monday. I'm stunned. I just...

Oh man, this time two/ three weeks ago things were so bleak. Now.

Well I want to wish you all a Very Happy New Year. Have a great night and and even better year.

Again thanks so much for your comments.

[TeePee]

That's awesome! Thanks for the update! I'm hoping that in the future when something similar happens to others, this will be something they see!

What's the new job like? Good pay/benefits? Doing something different and more interesting?