Well, it's finally happened. After living for several years with the threat of being laid off from Hewlett-Packard, it happened yesterday. On Friday, we knew that the final word in layoffs this year was coming down on Monday or Tuesday. We'd made it through 3 or 4 rounds of layoffs in the past ten years, so we weren't really worried. Joel had barely gotten to work on Monday when he got the word. Of the eight people he worked with closely, 6 were let go through a "Work Force Reduction" program. We'd been discussing all weekend what we would do if it happened, but it was still a shock. I bawled all day long.
We've never been out of work in our married lives. We (for the most part) feel hopeful and confident (and a little scared). Thankfully, HP is giving him a severance package and things won't get dicey for a couple of months. His job at HP ends on December 16th. We've talked about me getting some kind of full time job beginning in January, just to help pay down our debt (and the store's debt). If you know of any IT jobs, let me know!
We are looking at jobs all over the US. If you love your state and think we should move there, go ahead and tell me why! Then link me to some jobs I can pass on to my hubby!
Mostly, since it's early days in this layoff thing, we are feeling more like this is a good thing than a bad thing. No more sword of Damocles hanging over our heads. It's a chance to choose what kind of life we want for the next decade or so, and that kind of power IS a good thing. Joel can finally get paid market value for his work--he's been underpaid for the last 4 years, again due to HP's sneaky policies. My mom said it best when she said that the hardest part about this will be how well Joel and I work together--and that it's more important than ever that we work together and support each other. Isn't that what being a family is all about anyway? Working together, supporting each other, and choosing the future together?
Either way, I could still use some love. I tend to lean a little too close to being scared of this whole thing.
And that's the other side
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7 comments:
I sure love you, Dianne. I'll look around in this area and see if I can find anything promising. As always, you are in my prayers.
All my love,
Kimberly
Diane, i wish you both the best in this 'shakie' situation. :< i still firmly believe things happen for a reason.
scrappy hugs,
Amy W.
{your scrappy friend at SH101}
Throwin all the love I can manage your way Dianne. From what I've gotton to know you are, you are so wonderfully nice, wise & talented. Not to mention organized & you seem very loving of your family. Things will work out for you all, I'm sure. My dh could very well be in your situation so I understand the nervous more than anything.
All the best wishes to get you thru this.
take care girl & hang in there!
Cami
I hope this closed door leads to another one that is even better. Good luck to you guys!
well that comment almost made sense.. lol.. I meant one closed door that leads to another you have to open.. geez.. I'll just quit now while I'm ahead.. you know what I mean! I hope..and you know I'm wishing you guys the best.
Sending you some love too! I am sure things will work out for you guys and that your hubby will find a job that he will love.
the "other" Dianne. :)
Hi Dianne, sorry to hear about your husband's lay off. My dh lost his job a couple years ago due to cut backs. It is a scary time.
Here is a website for Wisconsin job net:
http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/jobnet/mapWI.htm
Maybe the two of you can poke around that site. I am impartial, but Wisconsin is a very nice place.
I am going to look around your online store too! I havent been shopping much lately, but I may need to stock up for winter!
I have pokey dial-up at home, so I will wait until I am at work to shop!
Hugs to you during this difficult time.
Linda
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