Bummer. Just lost my job.

[bif]

I'm an advertising copywriter. I had been freelancing at this smaller shop for about 8 months. They hired me full time in December of 2017. Now, after being there almost 2 years, they decided my work wasn't creative enough. I'm officially on the payroll until the end of March--however I'm taking the last two weeks as vacation. My severance is two paychecks in April. I'm toying with the idea of suing. However, in this business, in this market, you can end up getting blackballed.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I'm sorry you lost your job.

But what would you be suing them for?

[bif]

8. Well, mainly that they had a Personal Improvement Plan

That they gave me 30 days ago. It included things like daily and weekly check ins to see how my progress was going. They didn't follow up at all. But it's a pretty weak case. I'm 64 and have spent long periods doing freelance. This wasn't a great gig. The clients and work was pretty crappy. On the plus side, the people were pretty cool and the regular paycheck were nice. On the downside? It was the commute from hell--two hours a day. And the work was shit. Oh well. This wasn't the first time I've been let go, so I'm not going to beat myself up about it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. Employers, especially small ones, are notorious for not following their own procedures,

but losing a job with shitty work and a two-hour commute doesn't sound like the worst thing that could happen, even despite the financial hit. Probably not worth trying to litigate, considering. I hope you can find something else, even if it's freelance.

[Major Nikon]

17. Unless you have a contract, you are an at-will employee

Which means your employer can legally fire you for any reason that doesn't violate federal and state civil rights laws.

The reason they put you on a PIP is almost certainly just a formality that they feel helps protect them against a civil rights complaint or lawsuit. Most likely the decision to fire you was made before you were put on the PIP.

You can take small comfort in that they are giving you something of a severance and allowing you to use paid vacation time rather than just escorting you out the door with no notice.

[shenmue]

2. I has a Big Sad to u

[Sneederbunk]

3. Wanting to sue is a common response. I've been there.

Forget it and concentrate on the future. Good luck.

[True Dough]

4. Best of luck in finding your next gig, bif

It's never easy to get laid off. Don't be too hard on yourself, as easy as that is to say. Try to remain upbeat and keep your eyes peeled for the next opportunity. Lots of us have been through this.

[EveHammond13]

5. it's my belief that employers ALWAYS blame employees, when in fact

it has nothing to do with your work and everything to do with their bad management, their inability to get enough clients to keep people busy, their poor financial management of the firm, their desire to give sidepiece a raise using your salary, their inability to railroad you into a pay cut, on and on.....

You can't make it about you.

[democratisphere]

6. Many businesses and corporations today would have just escorted

you out of the building with your worldly possessions and that would have been the end of it. At least you are getting some severance and you have the opportunity to look for a new job before the paychecks stop flowing. Suing will likely get you nowhere.

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. "Well, I didn't LOSE it...it's still there.....

but when I go there, someone else is doing it."

A standup comic I heard a while back.
(Just trying to make you chuckle in a difficult situation)

Sorry, seriously. I've worked in the past in an industry that has a lot of assholes who know each other and you really have to be careful about bridges and fires.

[IADEMO2004]

9. White House needs a communication director. Leave your conscience at home.

Never speak the truth again.

Bummer about your job.

[GeorgeGist]

11. Sorry man.

Smoke it, if you got it.

[Karadeniz]

12. I'm so sorry! Hope you find a better one!!!❤

[lostnfound]

13. I hope you find a far better opportunity elsewhere. A Jungian thought...

Maybe you will find this helpful, if not, I’m just sorry. When I was in my 30s life felt rather bleak and empty; and I found a book called “The Re-enchantment of Everyday Living”. It was like water pouring into a desert. It was a long book, though. But I humbly suggest this might be a good time to try out a copy of something Jungian, like Iron John. Jung often recommended diving into one’s tension and problems in a fresh way:

Iron John/Robert Bly (page 71)

It is said that whenever a friend reported enthusiastically, "I have just been promoted!" Jung would say, "I'm very sorry to hear that; but if we all stick together, I think we will get through it." If a friend arrived depressed and ashamed, saying, "I've just been fired," Jung would say, "Let's open a bottle of wine; this is wonderful news; something good will happen now.


The Heart of Listening/Hugh Milne (page 57)

But this is wonderful news! Now something good is going to happen - you have created an open space for something new and fresh to come into your life... we must open a bottle of wine to celebrate!

[KY_EnviroGuy]

14. Thanks, that's a great perspective.

Like leaving out a door, bittersweet on the last day of a job. Either see it as walking out of something we've lost, or walking into something new and possibly exciting. I recall that feeling many times.

........

[littlemissmartypants]

15. Go straight to the ESC and file for your

Unemployment benefits. Let ESC help you find work. Draw every check you qualify for and let them help you. It will get you out of the house and moving forward.
Good Luck!🍀

[Ilsa]

16. I'm so sorry.

I hope you find something better and quickly. Good luck.

[smirkymonkey]

18. I'm so sorry to hear that bif.

I hope you find something better soon. I wish you the best of luck!

[Generic Brad]

19. I feel for you

The same thing happened to me last year after nearly 18 years moving up the ladder in a large company. I was six months shy of early retirement eligibility (which i was not contemplating) when I got the boot. After more than a decade of being a top performer a new senior crew came in and pushed me and a few other leaders out. I was wronged, humiliated and felt everything you are probably feeling.

But life goes on. 1000 miles away there was a place that was actively looking for someone with my background and skills. It is a match made in heaven for both of us. One year later I’m feeling safe again and am thriving in my new community. I just bought a house here this week.

And slowly the desire for revenge and justice have dissipated. I have let it go. The past is the past. Now I don’t know the specifics of your situation, but I can assure you it stings a lot less with time. It sucks when life abruptly changes and it is not your choice. Just know you are not alone at DU or in the physical world. So many of us have shared your struggle. I know it doesn’t feel like it now, but tomorrow is another day where you can create a new chapter in the story of your life.

Keep us posted on how you’re doing.

[bif]

20. Thanks for all your good wishes. I'll be fine!

Actually looking forward to some time off to take care of some projects around the house, catching up on my reading, and doing some painting, which I've neglected for a long time. I'll keep you posted when I get a new job.