How to feel positive with a lay-off

[kentauros]

Well, I can't say that I am feeling completely that way, yet I am not as overwhelmed by getting laid off as I could be.

This happened at the end of the workday, Tuesday, a little after 3pm. Normally, I work as a pipeline mapper, making map-drawings of proposed pipelines, usually for transmission of natural gas, though we have designed pipelines for other kinds of product. However, in the last month, the company has had to put a temporary freeze on all promotions and salary increases, though they continued to give vacation, sick and more holiday time than most American companies. This was due to our clients reducing work to be done on their projects and often shelving them until the world economy gets better. Some may be on track again as early as August, but that's too long of a lull for this tiny company (when including the owner/president's wife off-site, we totaled only ten people.) Thus, the layoff of myself and another engineer, both of us the two longest-employed of the technical staff. Only the owner and our office manager/secretary have been with the company longer.

They are being quite supportive of me, if I need information or references from any of them. Truly, this was the best company I've ever worked for in pay and people to have the pleasure of working around. Yet, I've remained mostly positive because, well, I have to. I have people relying on me, especially my gf in New Zealand and some for my past-wife as she goes through some medical problems and surgeries. That is one part of me I am trying desperately to cut off, but it's hard. This layoff might be the silver lining to that, though. We are still friends, but that's all I want it to be anymore. We are only technically still married (on paper anyway) and that's about to end. I want the rest of it to end, too, and take that stress with it.

Anyway, I wanted y'all to know first, before I post this or something like it to the Lounge. I know that doing so here I won't get the comments about the state of affairs with the economy as if I don't know or possible dissing of Texas because it isn't so immune from layoffs as we are being led to believe and so forth for negative reinforcement. So here I am, naked to the world of employment once again and about to venture forth into the weird world of job-searching

[Callie McAllie]

1. I'm sorry for your job loss

It is really quite a blow to be laid off. You are to be commended for having such a good attitude about it. I hope you will soon find a job you like even better or that fulfills you in a way the previous job did not. Good luck!

[japple]

2. Sorry to hear about your job loss. It's a tough time to be

looking for work, but maybe you can also use this time to find something that you LOVE to do. Is it possible to turn one of your interests or hobbies into a paying position? It sounds like you have a good attitude, and I'm asking the Universe to send you positive energies to deal with whichever decisions you need to make. Good luck to you.

[I Have A Dream]

3. I'm sorry to hear it, kentauros. I'm asking for the Universe...

to help you to quickly and easily find an even better, more secure job. (This or something better for the highest good of all involved.)

Until that happens, please know that we're here for you if you need support.

:hug:

[Kind of Blue]

4. Truly sorry about this turn of events.

:hug: I went through the same thing after 9/11: best company I ever worked for in many respects. I felt the same sense of positivity because I saw it coming, wanted it to come, and was ready to live the way I really wanted. There was a lot shed, some tough times but there was clarity and I used the period learning how to aligned with Spirit.

You've got the main part down, great attitude and willingness to let some things go. With that outlook, I think you're already opening doors. I'm sending for a Smooth Transition from one employment to another with lots of laughter and peace of mind along the way.

[MorningGlow]

5. Oh wow, I'm so sorry, K

:hug:

Yes, you are handling it quite well. Kudos to you. :applause: With that positive attitude, you will definitely be able to weather this storm.

And oh, the opportunities! Imagine! You can manifest any job you want. You could move to New Zealand if you wanted, to be with your GF! YOU COULD GET PUBLISHED!!!!

This is exciting. Sending you much light and love to keep you safe, healthy, and happy, as well as vibes to illuminate your correct path. ...Can you see it yet?
:rofl:

Be well, K. :hug:

[kentauros]

6. Thanks for the good thoughts, everyone!

I really appreciate it. It's hitting me slowly, I think, but that might also be having to get over taking a percocet for the low-back pain that started yesterday evening ;)

I went back to the office today and will go again on Friday for lunch with them all. The are probably some of the closest friends I've made at any place and we were all in agreement that this seemed more like a temporary layoff than a permanent one, like for the duration of the summer. The few of us in Design were also talking about how the fact that the two of us laid off were the two that had been with the company the longest, at least in the technical side. We all felt that this one fairly new manager (and likely overpaid) should have been let go instead But that's typical of the "lower" employees, to complain about the managers, whether they deserve it or not.

Maybe something new will turn up, but I would happily go back to this one if it's temporary. I am not leaving on bad terms with them at all, and most didn't want to see me go, so there's that connection, too. I will still do my job hunting as if this is over, but in the back of my mind there's still the owner's words "We'll keep the door open." :)