By Ed Orum
It's impossible to forget such a game-changing day. I was a high paid journalist at a prestigious publication, and had worked hard to get there. Sometimes, my job seemed too good to be true - it was fun, exciting and different every day. This day was very different, though - within seconds of my arrival at my desk, I was greeted by my boss. This was odd, because we hardly ever interacted. Most of my communication was with my executive editor, who took care of everyday tasks including assignments, vacation time and special projects.
"Do you have a minute?," she asked. Of course, I work for you.
"Sure."
"Okay, come with me."
We headed into the human resources office, where previously, I had only been in to fill out my hiring paperwork and submit my expense reports. I knew they weren't handing out raises, so this couldn't be good.
Next came the words I'll never forget:
"We're eliminating your position."
Simple, succinct and straight to the point. My mind went to goo as I raced for answers in my head. It was like one of those dreams you have at night where you're running away from someone but you can't seem to get your legs to move fast enough. My mind was flooded with emotions, questions and a twinge of anger but I couldn't seem to say or do anything of substance. I was handed my walking papers: a few weeks' severance and a small bonus if I signed a paper saying I wouldn't sue the company.
"Any questions?" I had dozens, but they seemed to be lodged in the bottom of my throat, and all I could say was "So that's it?"
I didn't even get to clean out my desk that day. They offered me the chance to save some face by sneaking out and heading home immediately.
I never did return to collect my things.
Next: The Drive Of Shame >>
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Search by Company | Search by IndustryEd is a journalist who has worked for some of the largest media organizations in the U.S. His career has taken him to places big and small across the nation. With experience at various employers, Ed's career has run the gamut - he's been hired, been the one doing the hiring, quit and, most recently, laid off for the first time.
Thankfully, Ed has never been fired, although many years ago he once came close while working part-time at a pizza place - turns out it was a misunderstanding.
Oct 30th 2009 @ 7:39AM sezkabayrak
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Oct 30th 2009 @ 7:44AM www.sezkabayrak.com
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Oct 30th 2009 @ 7:43AM www.sezkabayrak.com
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Oct 30th 2009 @ 4:22PM Heywood Jablome
.....got news for you..Ed was just fired...
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Oct 30th 2009 @ 10:58AM bargainholic
Did anyone catch the grammar error in the first sentence? Ooops.
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Nov 1st 2009 @ 4:20PM Katgirl557
I don't get it...enlighten me please.
Oct 30th 2009 @ 12:58PM bigkell
Your friends and family are probably out of work too.
"We are eliminating your position." Sort of like that musical chairs game where you sit down and your seat is gone.
I only hope some of these types that bring you the HR suffer the same fate someday to know how it feels.
By the way, isn't it ironic that those in HR (who really don't provide much in the way of corporate operating performance) seem to be the last ones to turn the lights out ??
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Oct 30th 2009 @ 1:06PM James Hubbert
Is it really true. Are you still in consideration of making some serious money. Please email me back and i will guild you on how you can make $83,000.00 a month
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Oct 30th 2009 @ 1:19PM bigkell
$83,000 a month -- stop it ! You gonna clone me as Bill Gates ??
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Oct 30th 2009 @ 1:20PM phil
in the Chicago land area,.we have union workers who REFUSE to work for less than $50.00 an hour -- they don't care about the rest of you ,..or how much you are forced to pay for their high wage inflated goods and services ,....you wonder WHY the jobs are going overseas ,... two words--UNION GREED
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Oct 30th 2009 @ 2:03PM kymberlyc89
I know. Before I was laid off from my job, we had union workers go on strike a couple of summers ago. They stood outside the entrance (we were not provided another way to go inside the bldg.) My job was in the office, I had nothing to do with their contracts or negotiations. I am a girl and all these big tough so called men called me every name in the book because I had to cross their picket line to park my car and go inside. It go to the point where my husband was going to drop me off because they told us they were going to slash our tires if we continued to work for the company! Our boss said we weren't allowed to say anything back to them either. My husband said, well, I don't work there and let one of them say one thing to me or mess with you, eff your boss! I will never ever have respect for them again after what they put me and others thru. They couldn't figure out we had nothing to do with what they were negotiating? I had to work, I had bills to pay, I wasn't the one holding up their new raise, they wanted more money. I'm all for standing up for what you believe in but this was crazy! They went about it in an animalistic way and were dangerous. Now when I see them picketing, I have to fight the urge to not run one of them over..
Oct 30th 2009 @ 2:14PM latrell19
America is no longer the land of opportunity, it is the land of distrust and no loyalty. People think they have a comfortable job, but when things hit the fan, lives change dramatically. You should always have an emergency fund just in case and another way to earn money just in case. If anybody wants ways to make additional income, email me at latrell19@aol.com
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Nov 2nd 2009 @ 12:01AM JIM
Ah the uneducated blame the union for everything comments. Get a grip on some history and business law. If you like your Holidays,vacation, health benefits and a few other benefits, THANK a union. Now for the rest of the issue. A union member has a union representative go to the negotiating table for him/her. This is the same as having an agent (think pro sports or actors which are union members). The agent negotiates with MANAGEMENT of the company for the best package they can get. This is the agents JOB. Management of the company SIGNS the contract and OBLIGATES the company to this contract. You do believe in contract law, don't you? Mangement of the company is the ultimate decision makers for the company and MOST are GROSSLY overpaid and bankrupting companies. As for the bullying and threats, I am against those activities, but I am for the union member's right to strike if a contract cannot be negotiated.
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Nov 2nd 2009 @ 7:37PM Liz
In the UK, when they eliminate your positon, the tell you that you are now "redundant'! Can you believe that? That kind of language could push anyone who is stressed over the edge!
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Nov 18th 2009 @ 9:50AM Nancy
I was laid off last December due to a "reduction in force" at my former company. I had temped for the company, was offered a full time job by them, and was told that my position was being eliminated. I too had to sign something so that I would not sue them. I was completely in shock and devastated, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Since then trying to find a new job is a joke. You go on interviews and people seem like they only want to hire younger workers. I had never had anything like this happen to me. Two of my brother in laws also lost their jobs this year. I don't know what is happening, but it is very depressing and scary.
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