I was fired from my job, but I feel OK...

[Steerpike]

After 20 years working for the same company (bought and sold many times), I was finally fired. Not for wrongdoing or poor performance. In fact my boss, with tears in his eyes, told me how I had been an int regal part of our stations success. I was fired so the company could increase profitability by altering the way they delivered the product. They are making one of my co-workers do my work by doing a split shift and doubling his workload without a raise. Sounds like a great way to raise profitability!
I'm in my early 50's and had hoped to work here for many more years. But, it was not to be.
I was not alone in this streamlining of the company. Near 600 individuals lost their jobs.
It has been a long steep slope for Radio Talent the last 12 years. And I suppose it will only get worse. More people will lose their jobs as the new paradigm of the minimum of locally generated product becomes the norm. The minimum...
I actually don't feel scared or sad or even nervous. My wife and kids keep me grounded. Experience tells me that life is always filled with these challenges. It is time to step up in a calm and honorable manner and get a new job. Really...I'm too old for this shit.

My apologies...I just had to vent.

[seabeyond]

1. that is your vent...?

what a well mannered and balanced vent.

should have seen my vent talking to two teenage sons about responsibility, respect and doing their damn homework. lol. now that was a vent.

i am sorry. this is what is really scary today. you deserved (i dont use that word lightly), earned, much better.

[Steerpike]

2. Yup...

I really had a sort of dichotomy going on in my head. I knew that I would be fired eventually just because of trends in the marketplace and the company I worked for. When you swim with the sharks you WILL eventually get bit in the ass...or worse. But, in my heart I hoped, really beyond reason, that I would dodge the bullet.
So when It finally happened it really wasn't too great a shock. The hammer just had to fall on someone...just this time it was me.
Really tho...thanks for the kind words.

[Lucinda]

3. I'm sorry to hear this Steerpike.

May some glorious new adventure come your way. ♥

[Steerpike]

4. Thanks Lucinda!

This may be a time of great opportunity.

[Lucinda]

6. That was my first impression actually.

♥ That it has opened things up for something great to come along.
But I do realize how tough it can be between, and sad if you enjoyed what you were doing.

[dimbear]

5. At your job interviews, remember you were laid off, not fired.

No shame in that. Fired doesn't sound so good. Good luck. :)

[Steerpike]

7. Thanks!

You are right about that. I think it was referred to in my paperwork as "separated with opportunity for rehire."

But, yeah, the term "Fired" does not sound good~!

[Kali]

8. hmm maybe corporations are people after all

they seem to be the unfeeling, ungrateful assholes of the population

focused only on the bottom line and so rarely taking into consideration the environmental or cultural (human) parts of the whole

sorry you had to be subjected to it, but you are right - and keep it at the top of your thoughts - it was not personal, not about you

still feels (and is) shitty, I am sure. You have a right to rant and to say much worse things than you did!

[Steerpike]

9. The local team...

The people who I actually worked with were for the most part talented and charming!
But, you hit the nail on the head regarding the corporate types. Only sociopaths need apply...those with empathy or concern for the planet need not apply!
If it were an individual I could corner them after hours and terrorize them then kick their ass. But, corporations are faceless entities. Hard to get angry at something with no face. Maybe that is intentional.

[KC]

10. It's sad

Loyalty means nothing to companies anymore ! But as they say, when one door closes another one opens.
I wish you the best of luck with the new job search .

[Steerpike]

21. Thank you sir

for the kind words.

[siligut]

11. Good luck with whatever you decide to do

You sound like you have a good head, calm and reasonable.

[LeftinOH]

12. Increasing the workload on the people who remain behind can backfire, badly:

Those workers eventually become stressed to the point where they can't take it anymore: Longer hours, less time off, and minimal financial compensation (just to name a few elements).

I was on *that* side of the coin a few years ago, and I eventually quit --the toll on my nerves and mental health wasn't worth it. I wasn't the only one, either.

Best of luck in your next career move.

[RebelOne]

13. Did you get a separation notice?

Here in Georgia, the employer must give you a separation notice showing the reason you were let go. In fact, I was laid off in 2010 and had to present the separation notice to the Dept. of Labor unemployment office in order to recevie unemployment benefits.

[Steerpike]

20. yes i did

they are changing the way they deliver the product.

[applegrove]

14. vibes. You have a great attitude.

[valerief]

15. Sorry to hear. I'm older than you but not enough to retire. I'm getting the boot with many others at

year end. Restructuring again. Code for more jobs to China.

I just hope I don't lose my house.

[sakabatou]

16. Double the work, half the pay! It's the NEW American way!

:puke:

[KT2000]

17. Streamlining is done

until they get push-back. I hope the people who are left behind to double up will push back. They are causing illness with this so-called business principle.

I wish you luck in your search. I don't know how much money is involved, but in the small community where I live, some retired men started a local radio station. They started with 40s music and have since branched out into individual radio shows.
People want the local perspective.
I bet you could be some station's savior!

[Tom_Foolery]

18. I've been in radio for 30 years, so I understand what you're going through...

Were you among the victims of Clear Channel's massacre? I lost my job as a news director over two years ago. I went to work at a local station just a few months ago; and I'm now part-time, making minimum wage. Good luck!!

[Steerpike]

19. I cannot say who I worked for

but yes it does rhyme with beer flannel.

[Tom_Foolery]

22. Okay...I get ya. n/t

[trof]

23. You may be the calmest guy I know.

I'd just be absolutely ripshit.
I was laid off 3 times in my career.
I was royally pissed every time.
But I was a union member, so I'd eventually get recalled to work.
They couldn't figure out a way to outsource airline pilot.
:eyes:

[backwoodsbob]

24. ouch

that wasn't a vent..that was calm.

I dont even know where to tell you to turn...I'll just hold you in my thoughts. :hug: