Comments on: 8 Things To Do When You’re About To Lose Your Job

By: Kerry Sandberg Scott

Kerry Sandberg Scott — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:41:19 +0000

Knit suits? Where do you even buy a knit suit? Like, the gift shop of the Barbara Bush Museum or something?

Yes, I totally rock. Unless you’re young and pretty. Then I throw out your teabags.

By: Jill Zoromski

Jill Zoromski — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:16:28 +0000

I think moving on is critical, however, it can be motivational to look back on your old bosses. I had a really nasty, mean-spirted, self-absorbed boss who had four or five knit suits by the same designer. Although she sees them as her power clothes, they make her look like a manly troll. Sometimes, when I regret the higher pay and greater visibility of my old job, I simply slip her picture out of my desk drawer and prop it up next to my monitor for the day. I instantly become thankful for my new position very content with my lot.

On the other hand, the chick Kerry is referring to sounds really pathetic……especially if she can’t come up with better nasty comments than that! For those of you who don’t know her personally, Kerry ROCKS. She’s a blast to work with and one of the smartest people I know.

By: Tim G

Tim G — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:22:19 +0000

I'm in trouble - older and balder. Seriously, there is some great information here. A friend of mine lost his job in the fall, and only recently asked several people for linkedin recommendations. And you can see he wrote some for them as well all in the same week. Among them are two other people who left around the same time. Employment at will - leave when you want, but be ready to leave whenever. Tim Tim G’s last blog post..Lucky or Unlucky?

By: laurie ruettimann

laurie ruettimann — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:16:20 +0000

If you are about to lose your job, be prepared to feel grief. I had a former employee whom I fired for performance. She left the company and was confused and didn't understand why she was fired. It was sad and I felt sorry for her -- and then she became obsessed with my blog. She should have been focused on finding a new job and moving on with her life. Instead, she left random comments on my site and behaved like a child. I eventually started sending her depression links so she could get help. I also sent materials to her house. I wanted her to move on with her life and to realize that nothing on my blog was related to her experience at our shared employer. The best advice I have is to prepare yourself to move on if you're getting laid off. Living life well is the best revenge, anyway. laurie ruettimann’s last blog post..PRHR Question: Phones at Work

By: abdpbt

abdpbt — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:46:21 +0000

Sometimes I throw my son's stuff away--I just cannot stand that he is younger and prettier than I am! abdpbt’s last blog post..14 Differences Between Courtside Seats In Los Angeles and Courtside Seats In Orlando

By: Amy Boland

Amy Boland — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:20:48 +0000

I have done it many times myself — sometimes before the younger, prettier person has been dismissed. And I’m not even a manager!

By: abdpbt

abdpbt — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:34:20 +0000

That happens all the time--older managers throwing people's possessions away because they're younger and prettier. It's a real scourge on the workforce. abdpbt’s last blog post..14 Differences Between Courtside Seats In Los Angeles and Courtside Seats In Orlando

By: Kerry Sandberg Scott

Kerry Sandberg Scott — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:56:33 +0000

That’s funny—I had a former employee who went around telling everyone I’d thrown out her stuff after she was terminated. In reality, we waited a couple of months for her to get back to us on what she wanted to do with it, and after that we gave up and gave the stuff away (it was just a few teabags and a Wizard of Oz bookmark…she kind of thought she was Dorothy, which was funny, because if you watch that movie, Dorothy isn’t really the smart one. That’s why she needs the others.).

This was over a year ago, and this same employee has spent hours and hours at her local library, reading this blog and typing in nasty things while impersonating someone else (well, nasty in her head anyway…she thinks “kerry sandberg scott ice cream housewife” is an insult, which cracks me up, and also makes me sort of hungry). I’m not sure she realizes that at a PUBLIC library, it’s pretty easy to find out who’s doing it…the computers track all that stuff and put it in nice neat reports, in case I need to turn it over to the police at some point, or turn her into a Tale of the Cluefree and make her internet-famous, or whatever.

One thing about losing your job—you gotta move on. Be pissed for a while, sure, but then go out and, like, get another job or do some volunteer work or something, y’know? Because hanging out at the library for hours obsessing on stuff from a year ago is a little pathetic and creepy…and this being the internet, people will find out about it, and they’ll think you’re a freak.

Anyway, sorry to go off on your comment like that. It’s cool that you felt bad for this employee because she was much younger and prettier. Only ugly old people should have their stuff thrown out after they’re fired.

By: S.B

S.B — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:42:33 +0000

I was a manager of a mid-size company (now head of HR), and we watched the previous director throw out an employees belongings because she didn’t like her. The former employee was much younger and prettier-and we actually felt pretty bad. So-thanks for the tip!! We will keep some shopping bags handy!

By: class factotum

class factotum — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:42:58 +0000

I would add to the medical/COBRA list, start looking for less-expensive insurance options. If you are healthy, you should be able to get a decent policy (high deductible, but that's what insurance is, right?) a lot cheaper than COBRA. Goldenrule.com is a good place to start. $160/month for a $5,000 deductible, no maternity coverage for a single woman is a lot better than $500/month for COBRA. Also, check into life insurance. You might not want to convert the company policy to an individual policy if you can get a better rate somewhere else. Yes, you need to keep your life insurance if you have a family! Don't even think about dropping it. class factotum’s last blog post..Chats du jour: Fat cat