Relaxed even.
It's a rather nice feeling for a change. Since this whole job thing blew up, I've had this borderline nausea. We're talking since October folks.
Well, I got some mail the other day with a seperation offer in it and notice of a meeting to explain it all that was scheduled to happen at the plant today. The part of the offer that fit my situation actually made me feel more ill, and I went to the meeting this morning praying for a miracle or a lightning strike in the form of a paragraph they forgot to put in the paperwork or something that would make this a better deal for me.
That didn't happen.
But I did get some questions answered and a small bit of new information that allowed me to come to a decision about the offer and resulted in this wonderful feeling of calm I'm enjoying at the moment.
After I've explained the offer to some folks they ask me why anyone would take that offer? The answer is simple. They are scared that things will get even worse, a good possibility. They're scared that because the average age at our plant is over 50 and very few of us are under 40 even with a seniority of 20 years or more (I'm 46 with 17 years so I'm a baby) that we'll have trouble finding a job being older workers and have so many years of only GM experience. They are also scared that the transfer opportunities that have always existed for closing plants won't be available this time, and so far they're right about that one. We had a lot of GM Gypsies at our plant. Now we're talking about GM Refugees as there is basically no where for us to go. And some are just plain tired of the constant mind games and of having their families and lives in a state of stress over job security and they want out. So, they'll take the offer out of fear or exhaustion.
What am I going to do about the offer? Nothing. I decided to roll the dice. I'm not taking it, as my calculations say I'll be better off, at least based on current information, in the long run, if I don't.
My plan now is to muddle through as best I can under my current conditions, stay informed about what is going on in GM and especially in the plant I'm leaving, keep those options open and focus on my next adventure, whatever that may be and making that happen. Do I want to go back to GM? Not really. Would I? Well, I will do whatever I have to to make sure my family is okay so if that was what I had to do, yes, which is why those options have to stay open for now. My wish and intent is to turn the page on that chapter as soon as possible though and find out what happens next in the story of my life.
Today will be spent enjoying this catharsis though. It's a much needed break.
Tomorrow? ahhh that is the great adventure yet to be discovered!
cczar
said:
 |
... Oh, Lori! I am so sorry you have to endure all this....I pray for better tomorrows. The financial crisis is hitting everyone...my school district issued layoff notices to 10% of our teaching staff this week. I hope you have better opportunities down the road. |
cathyjgray
said:
 |
... when I personally went through a time a bit similiar to you, I called the time off as being in between jobs. I looked at what strengths I had to offer in any job, not just in my chosen field, and what did I enjoy doing- not just what I did and had excelled at. It was very empowering and I think spending time being aware of this helped me realign where I fit better and could make more of a difference. Best of luck to you as you begin your next leg of a journey- and beleive me you are not old in this day and age for employment- you are actually a perfect age. You have expereince and you have many more good years of output as the retirement age continues to increase. When I was a maanger of a team in the IT dept of a hospital, there were 22 of us and no one was under 40! Enjoy, Cathy |
andrea_luhman
said:
 |
... I agree with Cathy-focus on your strengths, and know in your heart there is a really cool chapter ahead of what you will get to do in the future. Don't psych your self out of looking into things you always wanted to do. It is the perfect time to try or apply for things you think are a shot in the dark. There is no harm in trying. I will pray that you land on something unexpected and wonderful! |
Nancy K
said:
 |
... What strength you have to make an objective decision, not a decision based on fear. Big HUGS to you. Your ability to handle stress will serve you well. |
