NWMR: how do you deal with nonsensical corporate layoffs?

shannm

And I don't mean mass layoffs that are blamed on reorganization....
I am new (less than one year) to corporate life. My office mate has been with the company for 24 years today. He was informed that after Friday he no longer has a job with the company. He was placed in a performance probation period a few months ago and as far as I can tell, has completed all of the requirements. Yet is still being laid off.
Is he the shiniest penny in the box? No, but it took you 24 years to realize this?!?!?!! Frankly I think he is being scapegoated and it really pisses me off. His manager IMO is not very good. How do you keep passion about the work that you do when this nonsense is all around you?

Disclaimer: this is mainly a slightly tipsy vent of frustration but if you have some words of wisdom, lay them on me!

ricekez

It's a tough part of the corporate world nowadays. Keep in mind that they could senselessly lay you off one day and remember that there's no reason to give your employer undue loyalty. You get used to it after awhile and yes, it will negatively impact your engagement at work. If it's causing a lot of trouble for you after a few years in, maybe look for a job with a different company.

Puppies+Rainbows+Unicorns

Having a large savings account is key to me. It allows me to feel like I have the ability to quit at any moment and not stress about being laid off. Living frugally for a year will cut down on a lot of stress in the long run.

shannm

Yeah, my frustration doesn't really stem from fear of losing my job (I have the luxury of not being stressed out about that), it is more that a man has been hung out to dry after 24 years for what I think are BS reasons.
Makes me much more likely not to work extra hard during my nights and weekends.

sandrabrooke

Realistically its probably some pointless reason.  They had to cut heads and they cut the easiest ones they could get.  

Myaflowers

My dad (nuclear engineer) just got laid off after 41 years with the same company. He was 1 year from being able to collect his full retirement. He got a new boss a couple of years ago and his department has slowly been let go. Many of them are also older and were closer to retirement. My dad has watched layoffs like this happen since I was a kid. It's been hard for him. I remember him coming home from work upset due to layoffs on more than one occasion. I don't think I could handle it myself. I agree with not feeling undue loyalty towards a corporate employer. They obviously don't have much loyalty for their employees. To lay off someone who has worked his ass of for you for 41 years is despicable.

 A little bit of irony: my dad has already been asked by another department to come back as a contract worker making a lot more money. Maybe something will work out for your coworker who was laid off. Sorry you're having to deal with this.

shannm

ClaryPax said:

shannm said:

Yeah, my frustration doesn't really stem from fear of losing my job (I have the luxury of not being stressed out about that), it is more that a man has been hung out to dry after 24 years for what I think are BS reasons.
Makes me much more likely not to work extra hard during my nights and weekends.

I don't know why you would work nights and weekends anyway (meaning work extra or overtime).  I do my time, and I'm out.  I get that not all jobs are like that, but mine is OK with it, and they don't want to pay me more than my hours/ what is budgeted so it is all good.  I mean I guess I am salary, but yeah I know some places have a different culture, but the places I have worked if you can't get your work done in X amount of time then you have a time management problem/ efficiency problem. You are not a better employee because you have no personal life. 


I agree but it is part of our culture. We are often tasked with more than what we can get done in a reasonable time. So while you don't know me, I promise that I am not inefficient during my days. But I am often collecting and analyzing data, or preparing a slide deck for tomorrow's meeting (because I was only told this afternoon) in the evening. They wouldn't admit that it is expected but it is what it is. And I have been quickly promoted because I have been deemed "very engaged and trustworthy."

shannm

Myaflowers said:

My dad (nuclear engineer) just got laid off after 41 years with the same company. He was 1 year from being able to collect his full retirement. He got a new boss a couple of years ago and his department has slowly been let go. Many of them are also older and were closer to retirement. My dad has watched layoffs like this happen since I was a kid. It's been hard for him. I remember him coming home from work upset due to layoffs on more than one occasion. I don't think I could handle it myself. I agree with not feeling undue loyalty towards a corporate employer. They obviously don't have much loyalty for their employees. To lay off someone who has worked his ass of for you for 41 years is despicable.

 A little bit of irony: my dad has already been asked by another department to come back as a contract worker making a lot more money. Maybe something will work out for your coworker who was laid off. Sorry you're having to deal with this.

Sorry about your dad. It is so crazy to me that after 41 years they couldn't just wait for another year. I'm glad he has been given the consultant opportunity though!