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I received my layoff notice in the mail two weeks ago. For some reason my company thought it was better to send the letters home so if you wanted to get emmotional you could do it without upsetting anyone else. Well I went home and got my mail the day the notices were supposed to arrive and there it was NOTICE OF LAYOFF. Nice. So my last day here will be June 30th. After that some girl from another branch that is being closed will be sitting at my desk, with my job. Im finding it extremely hard to be here right now. It just feels like a ticking time bomb. Each day its starting to get harder and harder to get up and come to work. Why am I still putting in all this effort for a place that doesn't care that Im not going to be able to keep my home?! The idea of looking for a new job is scaring me to death right now. Im in the Seattle area, where a ton of layoffs have already happened with Microsoft and WaMu, as well as Boeing. I will be up against all those people in my job search! So here I sit, at a desk that I will soon be cleaning out. Looking at my plants that will soon be coming home with me. I am totally sad and all my coworkers (at least the ones that will be keeping their jobs) keep coming up to me and asking how I am doing. I feel like telling them to piss off but I have to put on my happy face and get thru the day. This sucks so bad.

I notified the HR Director and my supervisor at the end of November 2007 that I would be having hip replacement surgery on December 14, 2007, which would require me to be off work for a total of 12 weeks. The HR Director advised me that I would need to use my floating holiday, vacation, and sick leave before Family Medical Leave would take affect. The HR Director also assured me that my job would be protected and it would be available when I returned to work after my surgery. My Family Medical Leave expired on March 4, 2008. On March 3, 2008, the HR Director called me to tell me that they were taking me off Family Medical Leave and placing me on Administrative Leave with pay for three days until my supervisor returned to work. I was to return to work on March 6, 2008. When I returned to work on March 6th, I was told that I was being let go supposedly because of concerns of performance. I had never received any written warnings or any other written documentation stating that my job performance was not up to par. This company has a constant turnover in employees-averages five employees per month (out of a total of 65 employees) who either are terminated or quit.

I worked for a company that centered around security systems: they sold, installed, serviced and monitored systems, both residential and commercial. The son of the owner bought the monitoring portion of the business for a reported $3M, and company restructuring began. I worked for the sales/service/installation portion of the company, and I loved my job dealing with the customers and their problems and requests. I had been cross-trained in three areas of my department. When the monitoring portion was purchased, they laid off a gal who had been an employee for 16 years. She joined our department, and I was required to perform my job functions as well as hers while she was being trained. Added to that, the third component of our dept., which had been ignored for 8 months, was dropped into my lap with instructions to clean it up in the space of five weeks ON TOP of my job and the other gals job. It was way too much for one person, and we were not allowed overtime. I was taken into the manager's office and told that I had lost my focus and that they had not been able to mold me into the person they wanted to mold me into. All this after 2 1/2 years of loyal service. I really loved MY job, when I didn't have to do two other jobs as well. I also had a very controlling supervisor. Im being gentle, here. I could have performed this job for the rest of my career, had I been allowed to just do MY job, and not three at once.

I worked for a smaller consultancy firm and like with many others, business statred stagnating towards end of 2008. We have all been told there will be no performance bonuses, no promotions and possibly some layoffs. We were all to have a personal discussions with the director to discuss our future. I have been assured I am a valuable asset to the company and am for sure on the to be kept list. About a month later however, the local business was getting worse so with a good will I suggested a temporary transfer to another country, performing rather well at the time which was welcome with much enthusiasm. Couple of days later I was asked to take a forced unpaid leave for several months after the expiration date of my temporary contract I would be informed whether it could be renewed or termination will be confirmed. Of course I knew I would never be asked to some back and the company would rid themselves of paying a cent more from that day onwards.

My husband was working for a banking firm (we'll call it Bank Number 1) that had just acquired another bank (Bank 2). On a Thursday his supervisor told him that Bank 2's employees were being laid off and because their headquarters were in another state, the jobs would be relocated to Bank Number 1’s location in our state. Thus, the workload was going to get quite heavy and they would be hiring for several positions to accomodate the increased workload and some promotions would be available for those that had scored highly on their quarterly reviews and were qualified. My husband had just received the results of his quarterly review earlier that week with a score of 98 out of 100. Feeling quite happy about his prospects, he came home and told me all about it while we prepared for our daughter's 5th birthday party. The next day his supervisor gave him a list of possible promotions to apply for, based on his qualifications. He brought them home and went to work on his resume and cover letter for the positions he was interested in. Sunday, while eating cake and ice cream among family and friends for our daughter’s birthday, he got a phone call from his supervisor. Due to his unsatisfactory performance he was being let go and would not be given access to the building to return for his personal belongings. When my husband mentioned his score from his review held just the week before, his supervisor said “yes, well, everyone scores high”. A former co-worker sent him an email a few days later stating that his position was now outsourced amongst 3 college interns that were working for college credit only. One positive thing - they offered to ship his personal belongings for free.

I started with my company in early 1982 as an entry level programmer and worked my way up the ranks into a Directors position. The company had been struggling, been sold once before, but our third owner came in claiming to be a White Knight with money, time, and patience to invest. That patience didn’t last long. I should have known when my Director title was changed to Senior Engineer, and I found out only when the Org chart was emailed companywide. The day of the axe, I had been up almost all night putting the final touches on a software demo scheduled for that morning. I never gave the demo. Instead, I got a 30 second speech, two forms to sign, and an escort out the door. My severance package? two weeks pay.

My father recently passed. My mom and I had just landed in New York on May 7. In baggage claim we learned the news and immediately flew back home. I was out of the office for a week due to the funeral. The management team and HR Director knew why I was out of the office. The day I returned to the office, I was informed my position had been eliminated. No one said a word about my father. Business is business but the utter lack of human kindness and compassion from a company that actually prides itself on valuing its employees wellness was appalling. The owner had even met my father. I will move on to bigger and better things, but I must say I will never forget how incredibly badly this situation was handled.

At my previous job, I was miserable. I was so unhappy the effects of my misery became physical. I threw up every morning because I didn't want to go to work. At one point I said Self, all you have to loose is a paycheck. Get the hell out of here. Then I thought, maybe I didn't have to loose the paycheck, So I began to deliberately get myself fired so I would be able to collect unemployment. This was the most fun anyone can have. I hated these people, they were mean, archaic (internet was outlawed!) and down right stupid. I got my revenge by doing absolutely nothing all day long, saying inappropriate things around the office and making some really expensive long distance phone calls. Almost a month passed and nothing, not even a verbal warning, I was going to really need to be grossly inappropriate. Enter my bos a nearing middle age singleton that went out every night as if she were 21. Smelling like leftover vodka tonics, she would sashay around the office in pumps that were too tight her feet would bulge out. Also buldging were her curves out of cheap polyester wrap dresses (she wore these EVERY day). Her eye make up was way too heavy and often all over her face. All of these things combined with her ears that would stick out of her stringy blonde wavy hair earned her the nickname Miss Piggy around the office (behind her back, of course). That was it, I began calling her Miss Piggy every chance I got. A week later, I was gone. It was incredibly liberating. I enjoyed the holiday season at home with my family and even took some wine classes during the day to fill up my time until the next best thing came along. You know what? The next best thing ALWAYS comes along, so f that pig.

I arrived at the office at 8 a.m. like every other morning, and I saw my boss in the hallway. He said an HR person had called him, and he was concerned. A half-hour later, he was laid off. Then an HR rep called me in. People around me noticed my body language; I was unable to speak. HR read the laid-off scrip to me. I’d worked with these people for eleven years. Some looked sad; they couldn’t make eye contact. I just sat there thinking of how to tell my wife the bad news and being scared of not having health insurance—we have two small children and one on the way. But the kids are like my therapy. I’m starting to realize the importance of health and family. I’m bonding with them more. They are so innocent. They don’t care if Daddy has a job or not. To them, I’m just Daddy.

Last year right after shelling out some big bucks for my cat surgery and right after the holidays – I was called to HR for what I thought was a help desk call. Turns out I would be the one who would be needing the help after that visit. I was called into a small room with the VP and the head of HR and told that I was being laid off with no chance of being rehired. Our overly perky and clueless HR wouldn’t tell me how they selected me out of my cracker-jack squad of numb nuts, even though two of them where worthless and needed to be retired. So after getting the news that job was gone, and my benefits would be ending in two days, I went back to my desk to gather my things. Of course the minute I stepped out of the elevator a swarm of “concerned” co-workers came to my aid. Let me just say that if you really don’t want to help a down and out ex-coworker then don’t say a word, because we will take you up on it. All the people they know and network you with turn out to be just false hope. So after 3 months of being laid off, I didn’t hear form anyone I use to work with, and I really can’t say I miss them all that much. The only thing that makes me feel better is that my old company is about to go down the tubes and they laid off two directors the day they let me go.

My dad actually referred me to his company in April 08. I considered myself blessed to have come across such a great opportunity. I got the job and was with the company for almost 1 yr. In February of this year, my husband and I agreed to find another vehicle for our family. So using the last of our taxes, I was able to aquire a loan and get my vehicle. I was so excited. I told everyone at work the Friday before that I was getting my new truck this weekend. During that same weekend, I started experiencing some health difficulties. That whole next week I had to take off from work for medical leave to have some surgery. I was hospitalized for over 24 hrs. Then came recoup time. The following Monday I was able to go back to work.(I drove my new truck to work to show off) I finished the workweek out and on that Friday, right after my lunch break, my boss asked me to come see him. So I got up and as I walked to his office, a knot started to grow. I knew what was going to happen. The whole company was having to deal with layoffs, cut backs, etc. As I sat down, he point blank told me he didnt know how to say what he had to say. He didnt want to do it. I was being let go. I felt a rush of overwhelming tenseness come over mem but choked it back long enough to hear what he had to say. Filling my already turmoiled head with some blubishness about after things heat back up, maybe they can hire me back, and that It may even be for less pay. You know, now that I think about it, I would even take it. Where did my shiny used vehicle go? Well, lets just say Im not driving it any more. Finance company wasn’t willing to work with me. My family lost our apartment and a vehicle. Not to mention the doctor bill unpaid as I could not afford the deductible. 2009 is starting to really suck. Hopefully it gets better for all of us.

Well, where do i begin…when you think and are made to think that your are safe, YOU ARE NOT! that is what happened to me at a well known law firm that does personnal injury. I gave them my all, sometimes staying late and coming in on holidays. The girls there were very contradicting and gossipers. I was the total opposite. They talked about everyone in the building, but themselves, as if they were a gift to that lawfirm. They were engulfed in their work and expected that from everyone else. The job was full of stress and deadlines, but i liked the suspense, the manager and I got along well, so i thought i was safe. Little did I know that one of the girls had enough power to get me fired. One month before I got fired, they were purposely finding things to accuse me with, that had no merit, but careless me went ahead and signed a lease to a new house TWO weeks before those heartless people threw me out, mind you they knew I just signed a lease so that my son and I can get out of my mothers tight home. Don’t ever get comfortable in a place and always keep your resume up to date because people never warn you, and they don’t care.

Let me tell you my story. I worked for a family owned construction company for 8 years, ever since I was 18. It was started by my dad, who then employed my siblings. About 10 years ago, they fired my dad and took over the company. I never understood why. I then began working for them when I left school. I never bothered to get my apprenticeship in a trade, yet learnt the ropes with them, and was advised I didn’t really need one. Then about 2 weeks ago, after many years of friction with one of the brothers, I was given warnings about improving my work habits or go look for a job elsewhere. (This was around the time I was suffering from clinical depression mind you) Then one day at work after a minor mishap I was told quite bluntly “F%$@ off, your fired! Get out of my sight!” Needless to say this couldnt have come at a worse time, especially since Im a homeowner. So lesson to the wise, get an apprenticeship, no matter who you work for!

I work for a small company, So work was going great we were working overtime till november and started to slow down in december. My review was coming up and I was hoping to do well on it. So when It came for my review my boss asked how I was liking my job. I said I love it. The guys are great and we all get along together. He then asked me if I got offered a better job somewhere else would I take it. I said no, I love it here and I like what im doing. He then asked if there was anything I would like to do on my free time. I awnser by saying I would like to volunteer my weekend to keep me busy as I just lost my farther few day from my review. My dad committed suicide and I was back to work the next day. So i was given a raise and work keep coming in it looked all as well. In febuary I took my hoildays for 3 weeks hoping that theres alot of work pilling up once I got back. When I came back to work in the middle of march of 09 I worked for 12hrs and then I and 2 other guys I worked with were let go. My boss said its just for a month you will be back before you no it. so as time went by my boss finaly called me to come back so I was only working part time because thats all I could get with so many other people in my area lossing there jobs. so I quit my part time job and went back to work in september 1st 2009. I worked for 3 weeks and I was let go agian. Well I have came up with the Let me go once shame on me, let me go twice shame on you Im not coming back… im GONE Im now go into the army and looking forward to it.

I’m in the fire protection industry and after working for my employer for approximately 2 years he decided to let me go. After working for 2 months here my boss offered me a supervising position, and I took the position and I told him I would give it a try. After almost doing it for about 1 year I just got fed up with it and asked him to put me back out on the field where I was most happy at. While I was supervising for him I noticed he had no remorse for people with families. He would have me let go fire or lay off people from work like if they were some type of disposable kitchen item. That made me so furious. I should had just left then, but I stayed working here. One thing that I now realize something, I did not pick up on while I was working here was that there has not been an employee who has worked for him for over 1 year other than one family menber who has been working there for a couple of years and the man has been in business for over ten years. I ask my self what kind of stability can this company have. So a couple of months ago he decided to look for a supervisor. So he found one that knows people and has few connections here and there which also picks up work on a regular basis. Which I thought was good and I was all for it since this economy is so bad. We all could use the work. I didn’t know but this guy had a little crew of guys that he takes with him every where he goes. I didn’t like the idea one bit. Sure enough, the job I was on had major problems as far as design issues. I confronted the new supervisor about these issues and I would not get any answers. So a bunch Change Orders started to pile up. I was keeping track of time material used to change or modify the system in order for it to be installed correctly. I spoke to the owner and told him I was not getting anywhere with this new supervisor. So hew blew me off like I didn’t know what I was talking about. I told him, I knew what was stirring up. I was being set up for failure and I didn’t even know it. On a sunday morning the owner calls me and asked me to come over to his house and as a loyal employee I went. Just to find out that I was going to be drilled for the next four hours on how slow the jobs were going and how much money he was losing and making negative comments about all the employees that where there before this new supervisor. After two years working for the man there was never a problem and all of a sudden there was a problem. All of this smelled a little fishy to me. I’ve been there before. When a new supervisor comes in and cleans house and brings their people in. I was mad, furious, and upset from the conversation I had the day before with the owner.So the following monday I recieved a phone call from the owner asking why I had a conversation with a fellow employee. Since I went that monday morning to pick up some tools from this fellow employee and since we are being watched via a GPS unit in all the company vehicles and took a few extra minutes to just grab the tools and take off to my next job. The owner figured I said something to my fellow employee. I was mad and asked my self if we where in some comunist country and can’t talk, I blew up. I replied and told him YES! I did speak to him and told him how much trash he spoke about us employees who were here before this new supervisor came. Sure enough, when I arrived to the job site. There was the new supervisor waitting for me and which he already spoken to the owner. He came up to me and said that the owner was tired. Tired? I asked. I asked him to speak clearly and get to the point. So he replied with “We got to let you go.” I started to gather my things made a phone call home so that someone could come and pick me up. So he takes off to the other job site to let go of the other employee and on Tuesday he let go of another two employees. He cleaned house. Since I never turned in the change orders. I’ve been recieving phone calls everyday asking for me to hand them the change orders. What nerve, after kicking me out like a dog in the street. They have the balls to call me asking me for the change orders. I never had a chance to write them up. They could have been a little smarter and kept me till I had all the change orders written up. In the past couple of months they’ve been pushing my buttons to see if I would quit but I didn’t, I rode the horse till it’s tongue hung out of it’s mouth. I guess, I pushed their buttons and they couldn’t handle the truth. Thanks for reading my story. I wish all of us who are on this website the best and don’t give up. There are people out there that will aprecciate us for who we are.