Forced Retirement

Gil Martin · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:26 am Post subject: Forced Retirement

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

Vince · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 6:08 am Post subject: Re: Forced Retirement

DAMN...sorry to hear that Gil. I'll bet the bosses still get their huge annual bonus and performance bonus at the end of the year. Oh yeah, and they have their massive six figure salary as well.

slimjim · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 6:24 am Post subject: Re: Forced Retirement

This is going to be happening more often this year as companies prepare for the budget negotiation roller-coaster, at least at my company. Its likely they will layoff more than 400 next month.

Best wishes, Gil. At least your in a position that you can retire.

RePete · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 7:19 am Post subject: Re: Forced Retirement

Sorry to hear this.

I'm glad that you stuck it to them by walking immediately. I bet that was a surprise to them!

Good luck.

dhc4ever · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: Forced Retirement

Know the feeling Gil, it's never nice.
Goodluck with whatever you choose to do.

gelandangan · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:41 pm Post subject: Re: Forced Retirement

Sorry to hear that Gil,
My best wishes.

Ominivision1 · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 4:18 pm Post subject: Re: Forced Retirement

Dang Gil, best of luck to you.

ElyBoy · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:58 pm Post subject: Re: Forced Retirement

Sorry to hear that Gil.
You guys did the right thing in just walking out. Piss on them. Mad

Good luck in your job search.

Eric

Suzanne · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:17 pm Post subject: Re: Forced Retirement

Hope all works out well in the end, I've only been layed off once in my life and it was a huge bummer to me. Always thought I'd end up in the ditch somewhere begging. Best to keep your family close, I found out and that's what got me through. Spent about every penny I had but finally nailed a job. I was lucky not to have anyone tying my down though, I had to move a few states away and it was for the better. Gettin too old for that now, hope I never loose another job (crossing my fingers and toes) it's just too rough, and I know I'm playin the only game in town where I live now. I'd have to move again to find an employer that would take me in.

Best wishes to you Gil and I hope that smooth transition they were looking for is as hard on them as leaving employment is hard on you!

My employer requires a 2wk notice if we're leaving but historically in this office a 2wk notice has gotten people prematurely fired instead. No use honoring dishonorable bstrds, it only makes them feel good. They give you the rhetorical punch in the stomach and then want you to show up on time and train the new staff....yea right

Thinkin
ofYou
Suz

Gil Martin · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:33 am Post subject: Forced Retirement

Folks,
I really appreciate your many kind words and thoughts. My retirement was being planned for late this year or next year. I am in great shape emotionally and financially, but would rather be doing something. I may have jobs for myself and my three coworkers as procurement consultants if I can sell the idea to a company next week. Thanks, again. You good people are made of the right stuff. All the best...
Gil

Bushmaster · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:26 am Post subject: Re: Forced Retirement

Yup...I was forced out of my cushy job in 2006. But was privy to it before they could impliment it and was able to inform my boss to "take this job and shove it" Enjoyed that greatly.

Good luck on opening that possible oportunity, but if it doesn't work out. You will find retirement ain't bad at all. Ya just gotta remember that every morning is Saturday morning...

1895ss · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:44 am Post subject: Re: Forced Retirement

Gil, best of luck to you.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: Forced Retirement

Gil, sorry to hear that but I'm glad you're in a good position to deal with it. I've been "laid off" three times and then was contracted back twice, once on the same day. Its a pretty bad feeling!

As for retirement... A good friend of mine told me the other day "I checked my schedule and I have 340 vacation days left this year. What would you like to do?"