Twenty years ago on Feb. 15, when I was working as a public relations writer for a California transportation company, the vice president of sales and marketing met me at the door. We walked into the “glass bowl” conference room around the corner where he delivered the news — your job has been eliminated. I was one of about 150 people “let go” that week out of a work force of 450.
That morning I was given 15 minutes, while being watched every second, to gather my personal belongings. I was not allowed to sign on to my computer, to talk to other people, to even linger for a moment.
At home, when it was still fairly early in the morning, I felt sad, unwanted, alone. Some of my best friends had been laid off. Some of my best friends still had jobs.
That night, almost two dozen of us, with and without jobs, gathered to share our sorrows and to try to pick up our shattered dreams. Everyone felt truly sorry that events beyond our control had disrupted our lives to such an extent that we couldn’t think straight or sleep at night.
As The Gazette announced layoffs this week, part of a re-structuring that has been under way for some time, I felt that same sorrow from the other side of the equation. I am still here, waiting to see how changes will transpire and affect me in the months to come. And friends, some of whom I’ve known for decades, are now without jobs.
This is a sign of the times. I can look at my circle of friends outside The Gazette and see two close friends who have recently been laid off from jobs unrelated to mine or to each other. I know others who worry about walking into their places of work tomorrow or next week or next month, afraid they’ll receive the news I did 20 years ago this month.
No matter which side you find yourself on, layoffs hurt. I wish everyone well. And hope for better days ahead.
3 Comments
February 25, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Dave,
Nicely expressed, as I felt the same way 25 years ago or so when The Gazette eliminated my position and about a dozen others. The reason at that time was that the local economy where The Gazette had placed me had failed to bloom. I also had a similar walk-the-former-employee out the door scenario just a few years ago when another position was eliminated. I still harbor some difficult feelings over that, but I do understand that an employee laid off minutes ago may be tempted to do some harm to the employer. Wish there was a better way.
For The Gazette employees who were laid off, you have my sympathy but look at it in another light: you have been given your emancipation.
Gazette employees who remain will probably wrestle over two confliction emotions: “Why wasn’t my position eliminated?” and “How much longer until I’m next?”
I wish good luck to both groups.
February 26, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I have never known anyone that was layed off to act poorly and it is insulting to be watched while you gather your things and not be allowed to talk to anyone.
One place that I worked had a Security Director who really didn’ t have much to do. When the first layoff happened, our Security Director would stand at their desk while they were clearing it out and then casually let his suit jacket fall open so they could see he was carrying a (licensed) firearm. He was a big jerk. There was no need to make the person feel any worse but it is sad that someone would take such enjoyment about flaunting his position.
I can certainly understand it from both sides too. It was always sad to see your friends go and I eventually got my turn too.
At first I was very embarrassed to even talk to my coworkers who were layed off. I learned a lot by watching how my international coworkers treated their friends who were layed off. They were the first ones to approach their friends and offer their best wishes. I think the people who are layed off appreciate the well wishes. Most are not bitter.
March 23, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Great…