Forced Retirement

[Gil Martin]

Last Thursday, I was called into a meeting at work to go over my annual performance review. When I saw my boss and the V.P. of Human Resources in the conference room I immediately knew things were not going to be pretty. My position and entire department were being eliminated. Four of us are now unemployed. They gave us a golden handkerchief of severance pay, unemployment benefits and a kick in the pants. I suspected this might happen, but was surprised by the timing. My staff people were all thirty year employees and encountered their first outplacement. It has been difficult for them to adjust to their new current reality. This is the third time it has happened to me in my career. The company wanted us to stay on until early February to clean up our workload and make it a smooth transition. We were also given the option to just leave. All of us gathered our stuff and left the office together.

The interesting part is that were working for a faith-based organization that oozes compassion and concern for others, unless they are employees. All the best...
Gil

[toxic111]

Sorry to hear that, but no matter what buiness is buisness. As much as an owner may want, sometimes downsizing has to happen, especially in the current economic times. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones that are close enough to retirement & have enough put away to enjoy it, and not have to scramble to find something at all.

All the best.

[GoodOlBoy]

Hate that for you Gil, I really do. I see this happening fairly often, and I worry the day will come when I walk into that same room.

Richard

[Jack]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, Gil.
They could have at least had the decency to cut you loose at the beginning of hunting season!

[Dan Morris]

Hang tite.....loaf for a month or so then find something else to do. Just remind where you search that 64% of applicants are over qualified! Boredome can be conquered.
Dan

[Rapier]

I sure hate to hear that Gil. however, I am afraid that before this is all said and done more of us may be in the same boat.

Maybe there is a silver lining here. It might be time to get some of that O'Bama money and an O'Bama phone, etc. The way he has kept extending unemployment you might actually be retired on a government pension and not know it yet. Just a little humor to lighten up the situation.

Wish you the best.
Ed

[skeeter@ccia.com]

Sorry for you news Gill. We just went through all that with the wife and her job of over 22 years. Only a few more and she could of retired. We lost medical insurance, life insurance and both need both. I already have one foot in the hole with the heart problems. To get medical coverage, had to have no existing probs or pay over a grand a month ..just for 1. Our system does not work. We sold my harley, 35' fifth wheel camper and our camp lot along with lots of other things to make ends. But as saying goes, rains it pours so that was a good time for our septic tank lid to fall in and 10g to fix all that. But enough of this end, talking of your situation now. The wife lucked out with a job 2 days after her last day work. 1/2 the pay but good insurance all the rest. What I want to tell you is a lot of places have the 'unemployed need not apply' rule. Keep that in mind. Dont loaf long even if get upc. Lots of the wifes fellow workers were lucky to get hired at this new place but those that had been left go a year ago and just collected upc, they will not hire. Good luck and remember, it all works out somehow. Keep head up. Maybe a good idea now that job terminated, job service will pay for a new type work. schooling. Think of that route and do check into that. Good luck and the best for you.

[buckhunter]

Hate to hear that. Obama keep ranting and raving about how much better things are. I believe you will agree it's not. Hang in there and find something else to do.

[Adam Helmer]

Gil,

I retired in 1996 and never looked back. We got a farm to run and I can find work for you here. LOL!

Adam

[buckhunter]

Yesterday I pulled my ML out of the safe for a once over. Couldn't get the block to drop. Figured I forgot how to operate the darn thing. Finally took the rubber hammer out and gave the lever a wack and down it came.

I couldn't believe what I found. The block and barrel were fused together. I finally remembered putting in a cap a shooting it to clear the oil in the breach plug. Well I should have wiped it down but didn't. I managed to clean her up with a little scaring and pitting. It is fully functionalble as far as I know.

Lesson learned....Don't fire a primer in your ML and put you gun away without wiping her down.

[skeet]

Well Gil..maybe you are better off not working for a scum sucking company like that. Let it be known that this faith-based company has no REAL faith and treats their employees like dirt. Don't know your age but there may be a suit in it..even if you don't win it'll give 'em a black eye...and don't forget the fair labor standards that they may have shredded firing you and the other "OLDER" employees. Sometimes companies want to get out from under the oldsters that they have..cause they cost them more..at present and in the future. You need to move west young man!!