Fair warning, this will not be the place for a laugh tonight. Just need to write some things down so I can try to put this day behind me, if that’s remotely possible.
Today I narrowly avoided becoming one of the thousands of Pharmaceutical Representatives that have been, and continue to be laid off. It has been going on for years, and one could argue, as I have, that we created this mess ourselves. And today, my company reduced the salesforce that I have been a part of by half, or better.
I’m sitting here tonight shellshocked, sad, with even other emotions I can’t seem to find titles for. After having worked here for five years, I developed a tighter bond with this family of co-workers than I had at any other company I have worked for past. And today, most of those friends were shown the door despite years of outstanding achievements, and I was kept along with few others for reasons that I may never be able to fully explain.
I remember the inner panic and financial devastation of being unemployed, I have been there myself. I also remember the feeling of boundless elation when I got this position, saving my young family from ruin. And tonight, I know I should be grateful for what amounts to a promotion, but the empathy I feel for these people I consider to be dear friends chokes away any feeling of happiness.
I know they will all be fine. They are fully capable and talented people with futures that remain bright. And tomorrow I will get up and embrace my own opportunities while they go in search of the window that just opened somewhere.
Tonight, I am grateful. And for them, I am hopeful. I hope they know how much I will miss them at work, but also how happy I am knowing that our friendship doesn’t need an employer to hold us together.
So glad that you are not one of the statistics of your company. Sure hope that you can remain where you are and can be successful at whatever you choose to do.
I’m glad you got to keep your job, but that is scary isn’t it! Everywhere I turn someone else is getting laid off.
Glad that you made the cut. Sending prayers that you remain there!
~ Jennifer
http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com
Oh gosh Jay – so glad you survived, but oh that feeling.
I worked for a dot com right before dot coms died – no fun to watch. No fun to be one of the few chosen to stick around and turn out the lights. But a pay check is always good.
I hope this marks the end to the heavy stress, and the beginning of something very good.
That sucks. My husband was laid off last year, because somebody had to go and it was him. It was a devastating feeling. We got through it though. I hope your friends find gainful employment quickly.
I’m so sorry to hear about your friends. This economy sucks balls, my friend. I hope they find something quickly.
And for what it’s worth, I would buy you a drink, bad day or not, because you would need it and are my friend. *hugs*
I left J&J in 2003 – just had a baby and was moving overseas. Apparently I got out just in time as they started shifting, moving, letting people go left and right. For a few years I would get e-mails from friends telling me about their plight – I always felt horrible for them.
My cousin is in your same boat with Pfizer – she has been “saved by the bell” more times than she cares to remember… and she’s always on pins and needles. She’s watched almost every single one of her friends leave…
It’s stressful – very stressful.
Wow, I’m sure that can’t be easy. I really hope good fortune continues to shine on you. I’m sure they kept you for a very solid reason!
Well that just sucks!! I am glad it is working out for you, and I hope it continues to do so. Being unemployed does suck!! Knowing what it is like, must make it so much harder to have to see your friends go through it too.
I’ve seen friends at Amgen, Pfizer, and Wyeth go through the same as well…its a hard time in a hard industry – hopefully this will lead them all to bigger and better things!!
My husband just received a promotion under similar circumstances and the only word for the whole experience was surreal. We walked around for days wanting to be happy that we had been given the opportunity but the circumstances made happiness innappropriate and almost impossible. It was one of those moments when you just had to embrace every swirling emotion for what it was in a deep and personal way. I think I told myself a million times that every emotion – no matter how conflicting – was perfectly fine to feel.
Sorry to hear about your co=workers, but I am glad your job is still intact. There are so many people going through this exact same thing, and it is so scary. At my hubbys work they just laid off a huge amount of people too. Thankfully he wasnt one of them, as they go by seniority and he’s been there 15 years. But I still know that you can never say never…and we all need to be on our toes, cutting back and praying. A lot.
Hang in there Jay.
So relieved that you aren’t job searching today. So sad about your co-workers – thankfully there are still jobs out there. The company my brother worked for declared bankruptcy last spring and so he was out of work all summer, but found something this month.
I’ve watched too many friends lose their jobs back in Michigan. It’s heartbreaking to watch your friends go through that hardship….I’m glad you are still here. I hope the others are fortunate to have something else come their way.
{{Hugs}}
I am glad that you got to keep your job but you can’t help but feel bad at the same time for the people that lost theirs. I am right now on the verge of losing my job due to down sizing so I am well aware of the scary feeling that you felt and still may fill.
Glad you were spared Jay! But, what a nice tribute to your friends and co-workers, hoping for the best for them!
I was laid off back in 2003. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I decided to finally figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up, went back to school, got my degree, and got a job in my new field.
But life happens, and now I’m working at a homeless shelter. Two days ago, I turned down a 40 hr/week job in my field at 13/hr to stay at my 29 hr/week job at 10/hr. I can still freelance in my field, and I’m getting paid to work in ministry. Our family lives below the poverty level, but I feel very blessed to have two occupations that I feel very passionate about.
It’s hard to be happy or even feel relieved in the light of others’ misfortunes. This was a nice tribute to them. My husband has a job, but has been looking for a different one for several months now. I feel like we’re pushing our luck, but you have to look out for #1 and take care of your family.
Oh Jay, You just brought back way to many sick memories. I am soo happy you are safe. Holy crap I would never wish unemployment on anyone. God Bless you brother. I kow you will rock this new postion.
Absolutely stinks having to go through seeing your friends experience this. There are a few experiences in life I would never wish on anyone and this is one of them, mainly because I was the kid whose dad was laid off multiple times. Not fun.
Here’s hoping your friends all find new work. Glad that you were not one to be let go. Hope your weekend improves.
I can imagine how you feel, and it’s easy to feel guilty about being grateful. I’m sure there are good reasons that you deserve to stay, so congrats for keeping your job! And good luck in the future, Jay.
I just read this after our conversation this afternoon. I know first hand how awful it is. The survivor guilt will lessen in time. Glad the gorgeous day helped. Now hand over a wad of cash to my hubs tonight and nobody gets hurt.
I think everyone should go to college and get a degree and then spend six months as a bartender and six months as a cabdriver. Then they would really be educated. Al McGuire