The job I lost
After 22 years on the job, I was laid off suddenly. A member of the adminstration team and human resources just walked in at the end of the day and gave out pink slips.
The company hired a new CEO/President the year before the lay-offs. Her vision of the future of the company was compeletely different . Her first complaint was that there were too many employees. And most of all, too many nurses. And the salaries were too high. A total of 30+ employees laid off within one year. Most of the employees had worked for company 10 to 25 yrs.
What it's like being unemployed
I never though it would happen to me...it's surreal. Still is...
I was sick for about 6 weeks after the lay-off. I suffer from hypertension and it made my condition worst. And now not only did I not have a job, I did not have medical insurance. I had 15 days to see my primary care concerning my hypertension and get medication adjustments. After the insurance is cancelled by my former company, I have no medical coverage. I could Cobra the insurance for $500+ per month, which is half of unemployment insurance. So, what do I do? Become homeless or Cobra the insurance?
What is it like being unemployed? I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Not even my worst enemy.
Advice
- I really worked my ass of for this company. Worked limited staff and never complainted. Work long and late hours. Even did some Sunday hours (which was not required). I did it because I was the Manager. And I have a certain work ethic which was installed in me by my mother to "do whatever it take to get job done".
- But, in the meantime, I forgot to "stop and smell the flowers".
- Now I realize that when lay off time comes, it about money. Not work performance, productivity, loyalty or a nice work place. Especially if the company is not doing well financially due to lack of funding and the economy.
