I've just been told my position is being phased out.

[Buddyblazon]

Sitting at home waiting to tell my wife.

Wow...my heart is pounding.

[lob1]

1. I'm sorry to hear that, Buddyblazon.

Times are not good. I wish you all the best.

[Myrina]

2. I'm sorry, man ...

... went through that myself in January. Sigh.

Keep your chin up, start utilizing whatever resources are available for you.

As bad as it seems, I really do think we're about to turn the corner - websites
like Monster, Dice etc have lots of positions available and the stimulus money
should be hitting the ground at state level fairly soon - so you shouldn't be
out of work for too long.

O8) Be strong and know our thoughts are with you!

[GentryDixon]

3. Yipes. So Sorry.

I am waiting for the other shoe to drop on my son. His company is contemplating bankruptcy. He has cleaned out his office of all personal items in case the shoe falls when he is gone next week on a long planned cruise.

[progressoid]

4. That's an awful feeling

Good luck :hug:

[City Lights]

5. That stinks, Buddyblazon. So sorry...

:hug:

I hope you get a decent severance package and find another job quickly. (I know that's easier said than done.)

My BIL found out about a month ago that he'll be out of a job at the end of May. He'll be paid through June. At least he has some time to find something else.

I hope things work out for you and yours, and that any rough water you find yourself in is short-lived. :hug:

[madaboutharry]

6. I'm sorry.

The best thing is to get to work on finding something else. It may be something crappy, but do try to find something to get you through if it takes a bit of time to find a good job.

It is horrible.

I hope you're not a lawyer. They are losing jobs at a terrible rate and there is nothing out there.

[MISSDem]

7. I hope you have an emergency fund.

Good luck.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. So very sorry to hear that.

:hug:

[terip64]

9. I'll be thinking about you. n/t

[bdamomma]

10. So sorry that just sucks.

we are here for support.

[Buddyblazon]

11. Wife is okay...being very positive.

I should point out some positive things. I work in concert production. So I'll still get individual contracted jobs. A show here...a show there. Just a lot less of what I was doing (stage managing). I'll still be used as a stage manager in some instances...just not very many at the venue I was working at...and I really liked my venue. I worked every show before. Also, the promoter that's phasing out my position...isn't firing me...and I'll continue working for them as well. Just doing different things. Runner...stage hand. Less pay...less work...but still work.

[Lisa0825]

12. Hang in there....

I am glad you'll still have some work, and I hope it won't be too long before it picks up again for you.

[nichomachus]

13. Severance is negotiable

Don't just take what they offer you -- try to get more.

I did and I got 50% more -- so give it your best shot. It may not work, but what the hell.

[Buddyblazon]

14. Severance?

In concert production? There is no such thing.

[nichomachus]

15. Ahhh. I see. Sorry.

Tough break. I got laid off in 2003 and never found anything in my field until I finally retired, although I'm not sure you can retire if you're not working.

My only advice is don't take it personally. It's not your fault. That's one thing that seems to eat at people. I know it did for me -- even though intellectually, I knew it wasn't, emotionally, it was very hard.

But, the severance thing works for other people in a situation where it applies. Try to get more. You'd be surprised, especially if you have some kind of a hook. In my case, I was the oldest person by far in the group they laid off. I mentioned that in my negotiations in an oblique way -- "You know, at my age it's going to take longer to find work. And, at my age...."

I didn't threaten them or anything, but let them know it was a factor. And, it worked -- possibly because they kept younger people in the same position who had less of a track record than I did.

[Spike89]

16. Keep positive

The head games that come from unemployment can be worse than the loss of the job itself. My wife just heard yesterday that her job has been shifted from full-time to half time (two weeks on-two weeks off). Because she'll be eligible for unemployment on the "off" weeks, I'm pretty sure the economic effects are going to be fairly mild for us (unless her company goes under). My wife knows this too, but still, she felt like "a loser" last night. It isn't her fault she had to take a job in the RV manufacturing business and it sure isn't her fault the industry has been creamed by the credit mess, yet, she feels at fault.

Don't give in to that crap, it isn't your fault.

[roguevalley]

17. God, this is sad. I am wishing only good things for you and yours,

honey. :(

[barbtries]

18. i'm so sorry to hear that buddy

here's hoping it leads to greater things in the future.

[Berry Cool]

19. I'm sorry, and I hope things fall together for you very soon.

So many of us have been there and/or fear we might be about to go there. You are sure at no loss for company, cold confort though that may be.