I have been liberated! (Goddamn it!)

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Well, the bigwigs in our company called a meeting today and informed us all that our parent company has decided to shut our company down completely. This isn't a huge surprise, because we've been enduring layoffs repeatedly over a long period of time, and there's been a prolonged period of time where the parent company just hasn't been in sync with what we've been doing in our branch at ALL.

On the other hand, they'd just signed a deal with another company to provide content for a joint venture on television, which was an amazing opportunity for everyone....something that really could have turned things around both financially and morale-wise. So pulling the plug so soon afterwards seems...well, stupid.

I know that during my time working at this job I've made a lot of good contacts on both sides of the fence, so I shouldn't find it too difficult to find another paying gig. But still, I find myself getting furious at my parent corporation for consistently not getting it, for consistently not seeing that their actions affected our ability to dig out of the hole we were put into by their repeated cases of the stupids. (Or, if they had this in mind for us all along, not just admitting it and shutting us down earlier.)

Now I know I have lots of opportunities, either to continue doing what I'm doing (either with a new company or freelance), or to start up something new, creative, and mine all mine. So I feel liberated too in a sense.

But I also feel mad. GRRRRR!

This is a thread for the mixed feelings that come with being laid off! Go to it!

― S34n C*rruth3r5 (SeanC), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 00:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Aw man sorry to hear it :( I just had quite literally the same thing happen to me last week (our company swallowed by parent company, and slowly they're moving departments of it interstate and/or "streamlining" by getting rid of positions etc). I have til November to either be re-deployed here in Melb (as moving to Sydney simply isnt an option) or get a redundancy payout by Nov.

At this stage Im suprised to find myself thinking maybe I should just take the money and run (if they'll allow me) as I have six months at least to save, do some short courses, polish my CV and maybe even make some kind of portfolio of writing and design.

On the other hand Ive been here 5 years, made a lot of friends and am shitting myself to have to learn something new or worse - be out of a job too long (as I cant afford that right now).

Too many choices... yargh argh! So yeah I TOTALLY know where youre at right now.

― Trayce (trayce), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 00:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Good luck for Crudderz! That sounds very sadly fucked. :-(

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 01:15 (twenty-one years ago)

good luck sean, i know you will find something great.

plus: EI!!!

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 02:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Poor Crudders. As you say, I'm sure you'll find another gig with little trouble. The man's got talent. And, as they say, a change is as good as a holiday. Best of luck, buddy.

― Andrew (enneff), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 04:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Andrew OTM. You seem like someone who will plan and analyze your situation enough to land on your feet and possibly make a better catch than before.

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 04:16 (twenty-one years ago)

We need to start a "we're fucked off and had enough of corporate life" company of our own. Kinda like in Microserfs. Only interesting.

― Trayce (trayce), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 04:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Sean, good luck in moving forward with the rest of your life and in turning this situation around to your advantage. Trayce, that would be awesome.

― Those Beautiful Lines (Dee the Lurker), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 04:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Indeed. Also, the fact myself, Sean and so many others seem to be on this slippery slope of corporate collapse lately had me wanting to write a rant about company loyalty - ie whats the point in it, when no matter how much you love your work and the company sometimes you still get shafted? But thats for another time...

― Trayce (trayce), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 04:56 (twenty-one years ago)

good luck sean, i have a feeling something very good will come of this.

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 05:07 (twenty-one years ago)

good luck everyone!

― teeny (teeny), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 10:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I'm actually feeling pretty good about this in some ways; I think I'm mostly irritated by this because I'm probably going to be missing out on a really great opportunity because of this (ie the deal they signed just before shutting the whole thing down). But as the ol' cliche goes, every time a door closes, another one opens (or was it that God opens a window?). Anyhow, I think this is the incentive I needed to register myself as a business so I can start doing freelance work more regularly, and to kickstart my own person web site by concentrating some new content into it on a semi-regular basis.

There's definitely a lot of creative material in the whole corporate loyalty thing, Trayce. A lot of these companies want you to dedicate your life to the company's goals and want everyone to be a big company booster, but then give you your notice the second they need to bump their stock price up. Not really much incentive to work for someone else, is it? I'm going to be talking with a friend soon to explore putting together our own company. Will probably be very tough but could ultimately be far more worthwhile.

― S34n C4rruth3r5 (SeanC), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 11:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Good luck Sean. I've found while at first this kinda stuff can be heavily frustrating, usually things work out for the better. I know that's cliche, but so far it's been true for me and I hope it's true for you, too.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 13:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Sorry to hear it and hope things work out for the better.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 14:24 (twenty-one years ago)

See if you can't walk out with the client that just signed and any half decent staff as well.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 15:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Hopefully Sean can be installed as the new CEO of Tim Horton's.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 18:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I know whatever transpires, he'll keep fighting the good fight.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 18:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Sean, as I told you, this is just a blip. (Frigging fucked up blip, but still.....) You've got the triple threat: expertise, contacts and references. The sooner you put the eyeshadow on and hit the ground running, the better.

Open a cold one tonight, cuss them loud and long, then start fresh tomorrow. The next job you get will be bigger, better and louder.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 18:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Speaking of mixed feelings, eh. Well mine ain't yet quite properly mixed, like. That may happen the day after tomorrow, though. When the three of us'll meet and try to figure out whether, after the past twelve years, we'll have to wrap up our little enterprise for good, or. Or if there's something, anything possibly coming after that "or".

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 18:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh fuck Sean, thats harsh.
Though I may end up in your position in a few monthes.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 19:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Luckily, I've just been informed that there's a gentleman in Nigeria who wants to start up a business concern with me. Pretty soon I'll be rich again! Yay!

We should have a CoU-FAP soon. (CoU = celebration of unemployment).

― S34n C4rruth3r5 (SeanC), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

consolatory pints for crudders!

― mark p (Mark P), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

We should have a CoU-FAP soon. (CoU = celebration of unemployment).

The irony is that the employment we don't have might keep the liquor tab to a minimum.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 19:38 (twenty-one years ago)

(I'm cheerful today, I swear!)

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 19:38 (twenty-one years ago)

(If you "swear!" thusly, are you drrrunk already?)

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 20:42 (twenty-one years ago)

As I've still got to walk a straight line across a few highways to get home tonight, not yet.

('Sides, got no liquor in the house. More's the pity.)

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 20:45 (twenty-one years ago)

How many highways must the unemployed walk across
before they'll be run over by the man?

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 20:49 (twenty-one years ago)

We need an ILX-centric company. There's a shitload of (at the very least) clever people who apparently have enough time on their hands to fart around on a discussion board; there's got to be some way to harness that and make us all RICH RICH RICH (plus the distributed nature could mean instant globalization and act as a neat incentive for venture capitalists to fund us).

I am kind of talking out of my ass here but really, could this work? (The complete and total lack of a business plan is a big hurdle, I know.)

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Another capitalist, just what the world needs. Bye.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:48 (twenty-one years ago)

We could act as a distributor for my CDs. Er.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:48 (twenty-one years ago)

LOVE MY MONEY-GRUBBING WAYS

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Moneygrubbing vs. moneycuddling vs. mollycoddling

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:49 (twenty-one years ago)

OMG GREED IS GOOD MORAN

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Take your patronising sub-Sarah Lawrence weekends-in-the-Hamptons bullshit and shove it!!!

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:50 (twenty-one years ago)

It's all so clear now.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Premier company rule: Bitchslapping within the company ain't allowed; less energy left to steamroll the competition.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Dan I have thought that like 500 times already but private organizations require decision-making, not just clever people with time on their hands.

― TOMBOT, Tuesday, 1 June 2004 22:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I can decide the SHIT out of an issue.

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 22:48 (twenty-one years ago)

So can a great deal of us. Therein lies the problem. It's all about the life skills, right Tom?

― suzy (suzy), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 22:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah I mean really, as much as I like the folks around here I've met and hung out with by and large, to put a bunch of ILXorZ all together working on the same "goal" strikes me as a very hazardous proposition. Organized fun etc. etc.

― TOMBOT, Tuesday, 1 June 2004 23:01 (twenty-one years ago)

LET THE RECORD SHOW that any ILXor who gets into the position to hire me at an exorbitant salary SHOULD NOT HESITATE to contact me.

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 23:02 (twenty-one years ago)

(Begging message board peers for a job they can't possibly give you: C/D?)

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 23:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I'll yet need a lickspittle.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 23:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Some people have had the odd work hookup through here. I don't have much call for whizzbang computer skills in my workplace though.

Main problem is that inevitably there would be a steering community and selectivity would become an issue for ILX sociopolitical theoreticians.

― suzy (suzy), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 23:37 (twenty-one years ago)

They can do it like they do with the pubs.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 00:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I mean we, haha.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 00:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Ed's hit the nail on the head, if doing stuff for this client - providing content in a joint venture? - was the glimmer of hope on an already listing ship, why not make that client your first stop? Anyway this is tough but I bet it feels good in some way, like getting a rotten tooth yanked.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 00:20 (twenty-one years ago)

When I'm hiring I'll go to ILX first, don't worry.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 00:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Drinking cheap on a budget = daquries in a bucket.
Available at all finer bulk sections of Loblaws.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 01:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey, no more smoking in bars. We could even go to The Horseshoe front room or GOSH SHOCK HORROR, WAVELENGTH!

I didn't even think, I can go to Wavelength without having to cough up a lung and feel like shit on Monday morning.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 02:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe now's the time to go on tour with DJ Griz?

Anyway, good luck with everything, Sean.

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 02:42 (twenty-one years ago)

can i be corporate counsel for ILXor Inc? i promise that no-one will sue us!

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 02:44 (twenty-one years ago)

(seriously, good luck sean -- it will work out for the best)

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 02:47 (twenty-one years ago)

ILX, Inc., creating sexual harrassment solutions since 2001.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:30 (twenty-one years ago)

So it's not looking good that I'll be continuing with the publication under the new management; they have to keep belt tight, and I have to keep self fed, which means hitting the pavement looking for other opportunities. Thankfully a few good leads came my way today, so I'm staying positive.

On another note, I made the mistake of letting someone know that I'd been laid off and that's why very shortly I won't be replying to his emails any more; apparently this drove the sales dept batshit because they hadn't prepared an answer yet for clients who called them asking what the hell happened. Since the sales people work on straight commission and will be moving over to the new company (apparently) it's no skin off their noses so long as they can continue to make sales to the same people....until they lose a sale because of me telling a client that I'd probably not be with the company for more than a day or two longer. (Since they have had 3 whole days now to figure out what to say to clients, and since a number of other companies have already been calling me to say they're sorry to hear about the news, this attitude actually kind of pisses me off...when were you expecting to have to tell clients about this?!?)

― S34n C4rruth3r5 (SeanC), Thursday, 3 June 2004 02:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Its not your fault Sean, though through the wonderful world of office poltics it is.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 3 June 2004 02:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Good luck Sean!

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 3 June 2004 02:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I made nicey-nice and sent an apology (cc'd to the same company bigwigs the original complaint went to) because I've got no burning desire to make any enemies of people even if I'm sure we won't be working together again. If the apology isn't accepted gracefully though, I may get nasty in return. I hope it doesn't come to that because that's not the way I wanted to leave this company.

― S34n C4rruth3r5 (SeanC), Thursday, 3 June 2004 02:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh dude... NEVER TELL CLIENTS YOU'VE BEEN LAID OFF even if you like them and don't want to see them screwed over unless you've already got the next gig lined up and are simply killing time before retiring to the Nubile Nympho Playroom.

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 3 June 2004 13:24 (twenty-one years ago)

sorry to hear about your bad luck, sean. good luck and such.
glad you seem to be dealing with this well enough.
and it could be much worse - you could have been liberated iraq style (which is what i thought this thread was about at 1st)¡

― dyson (dyson), Thursday, 3 June 2004 14:14 (twenty-one years ago)

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