Merry Chrisymas to me...........

Just got word today that I am being laid off as of today. One of my coworkers who has been on medical leave for the last 9 months came back to work and word came down that they no longer "need" a video guy in the pool whenver it is operating (I hope to god they have problems without me there to fix it) so they said goodbye to me.

One of the "benefits" of working for a big faceless corp.. they don't give a E36 M3 when they lay you off.. you are just a number.

Two more weeks would have been great.. now I get to sit for a couple of hours on hold with unemployment

Dude, that sucks. Were you anywhere near MN... I'd do what I could for you. At least it might give you time to polish a car, or something.

dude, sucks. Sorry to hear that.

Sorry to hear that. This sort of timing sucks big time.

Why do so many layoffs come at Christmas? I hear this every year, and, of course, this is a BAD year. Corporate bastards. Would a couple more weeks make any difference? I can have a bad year, but nobody can lay me off.

cwh wrote: Why do so many layoffs come at Christmas? I hear this every year, and, of course, this is a BAD year. Corporate bastards. Would a couple more weeks make any difference? I can have a bad year, but nobody can lay me off.

In my expereince, its because the higher-ups feel compelled to get people of the books before the end of the year. Executives have to be seen as doing something, in order to get their bonuses and keep shareholders from firing them.

Mad, Im really sorry to hear that. Do you have any prospect? Can you network with any of your old contacts? What is it you do? Thats a real bummer just before the holidays. If youre ever in Cincinnati, gimme a holler. There will be a good dinner, cold brew and good conversation for free.

That blows. Maybe you can find something more GRM related? Sevice Tech?Parts counter at a dealership? Service advisor?

That really sucks. Keep your head kup and good luck.

I always feel like I'm going to hurl when I see one of these posts. It just sucks. I truly wish you the best of luck.

I have a buddy who went to school to become an accountant, worked about three years then got laid off.

Went back to finish his minor in Ag Engineering, got a job after school, three years later laid off.

He called me tuesday to tell me he is thinking of getting into the computer tech field, I suggested he go to work at the unemployment office.

Anything "computer" related is bad to go into today, unless you want to eventually work your way up to $5/hr in Mumbai. Then it's a great field.

Sorry mm. I have nothing to add except this appears to be an excellent time to "work the system." You paid into it, take it out. I carry a recent pay statement in my briefcase so I can stop by the unemployment office on the way home.

I've been there actually in the exact position you are in.

I was working for a company and it was my day off the friday before Christmas. My mom had come to town and we went out and did all of our Christmas shopping. Over the course of that day I spent nearly all of my bonus I had just gotten of $1000 and got my family and friends some great things. On the way home we drove by my office and the parking lot was fairly empty. I remember commenting on the empty lot figured it was a slow day and the boss let folks go home.

Well I got home that night and listened to the messages on my answering machine. Well right then and there I had a message telling me not to bother coming into work because they had shut down the office and we were all canned.

Things were going to be tough and I could have taken everything back that I had just bought got folks smaller things and all but I didn't. I gave everything to everyone, they had known my situation, some got mad at me for spending the money on them. It turned out to be one of the best Christmas holidays I can ever remember to be honest. It took me nearly 6 months but I found better job even then things had really turned around for me in those 6 months and I was doing much better than before.

Keep your chin up and keep going, don't let this ruin the holiday for you. Things could always be worse and you still have friends and family. Things will work out the way they are suppose to. Good luck to you and yours.

Thanks Guys.. I appreciate the sentiments.

I can play office politics if I have to.. and right now I am. Planning an end run around my Director by using the Director of Nightlife (which runs the pool) and the video DJ I work directly with. The DJ is NOT happy about this and it already bending the NightLife Director's ear about it.

The rest of my department treats the pool like it is beneath them an "punishment" duty.. I happen to like it and I get along well with everyone there. This year we are forcast to net 12 million.. 3 million over projections for just the pool alone. The Pool at harrahs is the Golden Goose that kept them from posting serious dips in their earnings this year.. so the Director who runs it has a LOT of sway right now.

If it makes you feel any better, here's a country song with a similar story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wtWYtS1NLQ

Sometimes it's good to know there's a sympathetic voice out there.

Keep your chin up. We're the resourceful type around here. Folks like us come out okay.

Good luck, hope it works out.

I was talking to a friend of mine who still works there today.. I am nothing more than a ball in a REALLY dirty game of pool.

One of the guys with a lot of senority was on medical leave most of this year after having a hip replaced that got botched. He should NOT be working, but exhausted his benefits months ago and then exhausted his savings.

Right now.. they are making him do MY job. A job that requires heavy lifting, lots of walking, and sitting in a humid environment with a HEAVY driving beat. Basically, our department director views him as a serious liability and is trying to drive him out...

I am still working on getting my job back. The guy they have doing my job now is a lighting guy.. I am video. They two do not crossover easily and my equipment is delicate and prone to glitches. One good glitch in the middle of a show and it will go down and cost the company more than a few thousand dollars.

I give it two weeks until I am back.. but I am using all my contacts and favours to get it

Sorry to hear about your layoff.

Since I'm in your neck of the woods please let me know if there's anything I can help with.

My wife works in the meeting and events industry and has lots of contacts through their professional organization, they use video and production companies quite often in the field so if you want to email me with a resume or anything I'll ask her to put a shout out to all her contacts and see what we can do.