Fittingly, i'm placing this post into the "Break Room", 'cause the way it looks like, i'm going to take a little break.
After evaluating their budget for the upcoming fiscal year, my corporation, a major media company (2500 employees +), has decided that the training department is no longer needed.
Obviously, we've been too effective as there's apparently no need for us any longer. No one was fired or "let go", we just got offered severance packages, vacation time paid out and voila`, done deal - laid off.
From my managerial point of view, this is quite a blow to the stomach. The corp. assured us references that would speak highly of our skills, as Corporate Training Manager I guess that means .... that i'm still laid off.
So, what's on the flip side: Job Hunting, hoping to keep my salary level the same, knocking on doors, outperform the competition...blah blah blah?
Or
Take a night job somewhere, to stay afloat, provide software support and start my own company during the day?
Or
Sit on unemployment for a while? unethical? Yep, but what the hell. (just rhetorical as this is something i could never do...
Maybe i'm a bit in shock right now, it feels kinda numb to see that what you've fought for just got dismissed as no longer needed, because everyone throughout the entire corporation is efficiently trained. (which i find laughable)
I just make that a poll and see what the majority of NPers thinks. Not that i'd base my sole decision on NPers (no offense) but, since the situation already applies, i'm wondering:...."What would YOU do?"
Bottom line: Knowing that i got laid off and tomorrow will be my last day, sucks tremendously.
But trust me, this will more than likely open up new opportunities for you. Maybe you'll find something better, higher paying, more satisfying, and something that you'd enjoy more .
So, my point of view would be job-hunting .
Best of luck !
True_Snake
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Here is a picture I took on the day of my first and only layoff. I always carry a camera for just such situations. LOL
Even though I already had a business degree I kept working at the manufacturing plant where I worked while going to school. Early to mid 90's making mid $20 per hour with all the overtime we could ever want. I once worked 150 straight days - mostly 10-12 hours per for that company. After 8 hours overtime it was double time for any one week period.
Making boxes for microsoft, intel, and others, the money was great. That is until the owner figured out that Mexicans work for $2 per hour. Thanks NAFTA
Use your layoff as a means to start something new. It's not an ending but a beginning.
You've obviously talked too much to me lately as you're pretty close to what i'm contemplating right now. The only downside is that i (used to) make a pretty decent salary... reducing myself to a part time job in combination with the unknown factor of starting my own company presents quite a challenge for my frame of mind.
Especially when you consider my education (MBA) and volunteer work as business consultant for my local chamber of commerce, the above is such a double standard that i almost disgust myself....
@snoop: see above,
@Whitebark
Note to self: I need to use my camera more often...
Thanks for the posts guys...appreciate the time you take out for them.
Well i see it as, Why do something you don't want to do? Why not take a risk and start a business.
Maybe living tough is what you'll have to do for awhile
the final choice is up to you and depends on factors like how badly you need money, and how much of it (mortgage, family, etc). if you're not too desperate with cash and have some ideas in the closet, then now is the perfect opportunity to see your ideas flourish! i would suggest picking up a part-time job just so there is *some* steady source of income though.
even if things don't go as planned, you can always then go back to some desk job. the question here is about risk/reward. if you're putting a lot at risk, then by all means go for that reward!