Well, damn. I had planned to blog about something light hearted today. Cotton candy and puppies and rainbows, perhaps. But, mid-morning yesterday an email went out at work about a mandatory staff meeting that afternoon. I didn’t think much about it at first. Mandatory staff meetings aren’t out of the ordinary, though they’re usually announced with weeks and not just hours notice. I didn’t start to worry until my boss’s boss came in and assured us that though there would be some bad news, everything would be okay. It wouldn’t be that bad. What was supposed to calm me actually started me freaking out.
Worst case scenario and all I really cared about was lay offs. We already knew we were losing a bunch of people to voluntary early retirement and that a few other positions had been eliminated, so we weren’t expecting anything more. But, there was more. The CEO went through all the details of why we need to cut millions from our budget and then he got to the news we were all waiting for: 10 people losing their jobs. I’m not one of them.
It doesn’t get a lot of press, because everyone is suffering in this economic mess we’re in, but universities have been hit really hard. Endowments are in big trouble, students are in greater need of aid, and things don’t look to be improving quickly, so schools are taking drastic action in order to weather this storm long term. I’ve already felt this as a student, but now I feel it as an employee of an academic library.
I had several reactions to this news:
- It sucks.
- At first it seemed to all of us like people losing their jobs right now was the same as a death sentence. Not to be dramatic or anything. I’ve since come to my senses a bit, but it is scary. Jobs aren’t exactly plenty, especially for people whose experience is in libraries, which are not-for-profit and in trouble everywhere.
- I actually felt bad for the CEO, having to do this to people. I have big career aspirations, but they don’t include being in charge of several other people’s livelihood. I couldn’t do it.
- Even with all this upheaval, I still work in a really nice environment where I feel like my bosses care about my well-being. I work with people who are self-motivated, like what they do, and watch out for each other. That makes me beyond lucky.
- I don’t feel more grateful to have a job today, because I have, for reasons I’m not sure of, always felt really grateful for employment and very happy to work.
- Not being one of the ones laid off does something to your head. I feel stupid for feeling bad, since I have a job. I also keep thinking that I don’t deserve to still have a job more than anyone else. I’m a good employee, but so were those who lost their jobs.
- Selfishly, I was glad I didn’t know those who were laid off very well, because I would have cried right there in the middle of the meeting. I almost did that anyway. Have I mentioned how easily I cry? Yeah, I’m a wimp.
- I’ve said this before, but I really believe that even if this economic crisis doesn’t get any worse, even if I never end up like the Joads, it will have affected the way I look at money and employment and financial security.
- I know it’s in all the books, but the sneak attack is just so cruel. Most of the people who lost their jobs didn’t know until sometime in the hour before the meeting. I’ve never been fired or laid off before, so I just can’t imagine suddenly not having a job.
- My boss is retiring at the end of this month, which makes me very sad. I just can’t imagine her not being there anymore. My ego is seriously going to suffer without her constantly telling me how awesome I am. Ugh.
- A giant rainbow-chip cookie and also the developing news about Governor Sanford made the day a little better. A plain old hypocritical Republican affair is old news, but this one had all kinds of twists thrown in. I refuse to read the emails, though. It’s like reading someone’s journal. No can do.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s exactly how I was hit. A week before I lost my job, my boss called me in and assured me I was safe. That if I was on board, then she would love to continue to work with me.
A week later.
“We’re going to have to let you go.”
Though I’m glad you avoided the wrath, I’m sorry for the people that are being laid off.
I’m so glad it wasn’t you. I can’t imagine how these people feel after getting laid off. It truly sucks.
Those types of meetings are horrible. You just kind of sit there holding your breath. It is a sad situation. Schools and lately here in OH libraries are suffering big time because of this economy. THis has taught me to manage my money more closely . To be fiscally more responsible and I’m guessing those are life long lessons.
That is really scary! I can’t believe they only gave you guys an hours notice!!
I’m so glad you didn’t get laid off though!! That’s a relief!
Layoffs are hard no matter the economic situation.
I was laid off my first real job after college, just 6 weeks after I started. What was really hard was that I was a teacher. The school was going to close at the end of the school year (June) but when it was announced, it was still in September. So we all had to work until the end of the year knowing that we would be losing our jobs, the school we come to love and the students we cared about.
I even felt a *phew* for you when you said you weren’t one of the ten, but even if in your shoes, I don’t know how happy I could really be about that fact. Ten others still lost their positions, and that’s so unfortunate. We need a miracle, as odd as that sounds, in this country for things to turn around soon and people to stay employed. Every day, it’s hundreds more. It’s almost waiting for your turn, and that is no way to live.
Wow that’s gotta be frightening. I remember going through all those emotions when, back in February, they laid off 40 people at my school district.
So glad it wasn’t you tho!
Like you, my company went through a HUGE layoff period a few months ago, and I am so thankful I wasn’t in the newsroom for it because I would have started bawling. They affect us all, whether or not we lost our jobs.
I’m thankful that you still have yours and that your work environment is still a good one despite the recent cutbacks. You’re in my thoughts, chica!