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Post Info TOPIC: Laid off - UPDATED


Chanel

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Laid off - UPDATED
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Allow me to vent for a moment.

I got laid off today because (and I quote) my boss (the CEO) "likes marketing and he wants to do my job." It had nothing to do with the quality of my work; he just wants to do it himself because he likes it. This is the same guy who chased me down, recruited me, and begged me to come work for him 8 months ago because he needed someone with my skill set. Now he would rather do my job himself than pay someone to do it (since he hired someone last week to do parts of his job that he doesn't like). 

I left a stable, albeit horribly boring and miserable job, to go work for his company, and he screwed me over. The worst part is, he's supposed to be a friend, too. He was at my wedding reception and he helped us move. Friend. My ass.

So yeah...I'm jobless, in an area where jobs don't really exist. I'm going to give freelancing a go and see what happens, but honestly, I'm so angry at this asshole right now, I can't see straight and just needed to vent. 

I'll be okay. I'm hoping this is an opportunity instead of a setback, but yeah...seeing red at this very minute. 

/vent

Thanks.



-- Edited by kenzie on Wednesday 13th of July 2011 12:24:52 PM

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Marc Jacobs

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RE: Laid off
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I don't know what to say besides THAT SUCKS!

I'm sure you will be great at freelancing, and I wish you the best of luck in getting that off the ground quickly.

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Marc Jacobs

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Oh man...that's like a triple dose of insanity. Ugh! Sorry.
Wishing you major luck as you start over.

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Marc Jacobs

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I'm swearing for you in my head right now. What the hell? Did you get any severance type package? I know it's not ideal, but have you looked at firms in Philly? I know a couple of people who commute down from Lancaster every day and they say it's not terrible, not great, but not terrible either.

Hell, maybe your boss who decided he wanted to do marketing will find out it's a lot harder than he thought and he sucks at it and he'll want you back and you can ask for more money? Definitely look at this as an opportunity, since you'll be headed out to Cali in June (still going, right???), maybe you can set up some meetings or interviews? Use this as a kick in the butt to get yourself out to Cali permanently.

Good luck, in whatever you do. Stupid freaking boss guy can suck it.

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Hermes

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That's pretty shitty. You'll figure something out and find something even better -- just like you always do!

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Gucci

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Oh, that is just so wrong! Get a really good letter of recommendation and maybe a few leads from him before you go (use the whole "friendship angle" to get what you need.) Use him as much as you possible can to get a leg up on a new job search. As angry as you are (and have every right to be) don't let him see how mad you are. Use whatever guilt he may have over laying you off. Let him talk you up to people he knows. You need to make HIM work to help you land a better job.

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Chanel

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Thanks, everyone.

@relrel, yeah, we're still going to Cali. I tried to cancel but we'd lose all our money since we already paid for the trip. I'd love to move there right now, but we are legally required to stay in our house for at least a year (that year is up in December). We were planning on biding our time until then.

But I do have a possible opportunity for a work-from-home, work-from-anywhere gig with someone I've worked with before. I talked to him today and things are looking promising. Hopefully, that will pull through soon.

@Boots, he didn't even have the balls to tell me himself OR to stick around the office when it happened. He left for the day and had the person who he essentially hired so he could shove me out do it (the person who is now doing the parts of his job he didn't like). He hasn't contacted me or acknowledged any of this mess. He's a total spineless jellyfish. It's disgusting.

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Chanel

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I hate him. That is all.

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Marc Jacobs

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What the freak?! Such a betrayal, but I agree that you should use this guy to the hilt. I'd tell him that you're putting him on speed dial and that you hope he doesn't mind 3:00am phone calls as you conduct your job search.

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Marc Jacobs

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Suasoria wrote:

I hate him. That is all.


 

Agreed.  

A lot of us have followed you through that journey and I am flabberghasted that he would have the audacity to make such a trivial, childish jump - especially considering his relationship with you...  Wow just wow. So sorry to hear.  



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Chanel

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Suasoria wrote:

I hate him. That is all.


 

 I need a like button for this comment.



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Gucci

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Don't make it comfortable for him. He may have made his new "assistant" lay you off, but he can't duck you forever. Make an appointment to speak with him and tell him exactly what you expect him to do. Keep it uber professional and all emotions out of it (as soon as you leave the meeting, get into your car and scream your lungs out though.) Get that letter of recommendation. Try to get a lead or two from him. Maybe even try for a severance package (do you have any days off or vacation days due to you? Try to get paid for these.)

USE GUILT! Remind him that you considered him a friend and could use his help to transition to a new place of employment. Pretend that your his mom and guilt the hell out of him.

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Hermes

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I can't believe that! How HORRIBLE. I'm furious for you--I can't imagine how you feel! I have no great words of advice at the moment, but kharma's a bitch and he'll get what he deserves.

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Coach

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OH NO! What an a-hole!

 

I am so sorry :(.

 

I do hope this will somehow create an opportunity for you to do something really love.



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Hermes

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DAMN K, I'm soooo very sorry this happened to you. BUT, you know, one door closes, ANOTHER ONE opens.... :) But you have every right to feel the way you do. (((LOTS OF HUGS))) Good luck to you!

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Chanel

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Okay little late here.. damn what a jerk . Hoping this leads to great new things for you



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Chanel

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Date:
Laid off - UPDATED
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*Sigh.* Thanks for all of your support. I feel like this stupid drama is never going to end. I'm pretty sure this nut and his sidekick are out to destroy my career (no joke, I know that sounds crazy, but these people ARE crazy). Check the other thread I posted about these nutbags here- http://stylethread.activeboard.com/t43352464/any-lawyers-around-i-need-help-former-employer-related/

Side note: they can't stop my UC because they already approved it, according to my lawyer, and yes, I have a lawyer because these people are insane, totally screwed me over, and I wouldn't put it past them to fabricate things to make it look like I caused a problem when I didn't.


But here's a new turn of events- it seems that they promoted someone who already worked at the company into my old position, so now if a potential employer checks the website after they've interviewed me and I said I got laid off because they eliminated my position, it looks like I'm lying. So what do I do now? I just want to take this job off of my resume, honestly, because I feel it's more hurtful than helpful at this point. And I'm sure that they will defame me if anyone calls for a reference (since the CEO thinks he's above the law, and likes to say that quite often).

Another side note, it appears the CEO totally butchered the website after I had done a ton of work on the architecture, design, and content, and he also (again) changed his mind about the direction of the business, based on the content he added, which he never shared information about with me, despite my repeated attempts to get it from him). So, when I say I worked on the website and people look at my portfolio and then see the crap that's live now, they are going to think I had something to do with it. I hate this place more than I can even articulate. I am so tired of his dishonesty and evilness getting rewarded by good things happening to him. Where is karma?????



-- Edited by kenzie on Wednesday 13th of July 2011 12:26:01 PM

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Hermes

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If it were me, hmmm. I would probably list the experience, use the explanation you were planning on using (laid off due loss of business, not eliminated position), and just hope they don't actually contact him or scrutinize the site you used to work on. You could mention that you did yadayadayada on the site, and explain that modifications were made to the site after you left, so it's no longer entirely reflective of your work. Just be upbeat, matter-of-fact, and in no way let on you feel anything less than love for your former employer. On the application, say it's OK to contact your former employer. Don't list your former employer in your references.

If an employer is interested to the point where they start calling references, they're most likely already planning on hiring you. So many employers don't even call references or do their homework. If they come back to you and say, we contacted so-and-so, and they said "insert nasty things," break down and tell them you were worried about that, as the former employer is upset with you for hiring legal representation after they tried to revoke your unemployment compensation. Then spin it to say something like, "needless to say, I'm looking forward to contributing in a positive work environment" or something like that. Don't elaborate, keep it short, the less you say the better, and try to give a positive spin in some way.

That's what I would do, but I'm sure others will have some valuable input as well. 



-- Edited by D on Thursday 14th of July 2011 08:04:39 AM

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Gucci

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D wrote:

If it were me, hmmm. I would probably list the experience, use the explanation you were planning on using (laid off due loss of business, not eliminated position), and just hope they don't actually contact him or scrutinize the site you used to work on. You could mention that you did yadayadayada on the site, and explain that modifications were made to the site after you left, so it's no longer entirely reflective of your work. Just be upbeat, matter-of-fact, and in no way let on you feel anything less than love for your former employer. On the application, say it's OK to contact your former employer. Don't list your former employer in your references.

If an employer is interested to the point where they start calling references, they're most likely already planning on hiring you. So many employers don't even call references or do their homework. If they come back to you and say, we contacted so-and-so, and they said "insert nasty things," break down and tell them you were worried about that, as the former employer is upset with you for hiring legal representation after they tried to revoke your unemployment compensation. Then spin it to say something like, "needless to say, I'm looking forward to contributing in a positive work environment" or something like that. Don't elaborate, keep it short, the less you say the better, and try to give a positive spin in some way.

That's what I would do, but I'm sure others will have some valuable input as well. 



-- Edited by D on Thursday 14th of July 2011 08:04:39 AM


 That's exactly what I would do.  Anything that even hints of bad mouthing your former employer or employment situation will only put off any interviewer.  If they come out and ask why you were unhappy at your previous job, maybe you can say something along the lines of "my former employer was still struggling with a direction for his business" and that "I'm excited about working in such a positive and well run environment."



-- Edited by Boots on Thursday 14th of July 2011 12:51:48 PM

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Chanel

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Thanks, D and Boots. Those are all great suggestions! Boots, those are actually really similar things to what I said when asked about what I didn't like about my previous job, so I'm glad that you reinforced my initial thoughts. I really just want to get on with my life and forget about that place, but until I actually have a job offer I feel a little stuck.

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