Thursday, December 30, 2010

A Bad End

My job of 38 years came to a bad end Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at 4:30. My boss called me in and said this would hurt both of us. Then he said we knew this day would happen.

Oh, we did? I always thought it would be the other way around, and I'd be the one leaving to retire in a few years.

He went on to tell me they're restructuring the firm and hiring paralegals. Interesting concept - these paralegals will be doing all the s**t work I was doing as an assistant (fancy word for secretary). Well, maybe they'll  be part-time with no insurance, or a lot younger with a smaller salary. That way the  boss and his cronies can keep even more money for themselves. Whatever the case, since my old boss retired 6 years ago, the firm has not been the same.

So, my many years of dedication, coming to work sick and working hard to keep the clients apparently meant nothing in the long run. It has all come to a Bad End. To add insult to injury, the present boss followed me to my desk and watched me pack up my stuff, as if I were some crazed criminal who'd grab a stapler or  something silly as a souvenir. Not likely. I guess I sound bitter, but I have to tell it like it is.

Actually I'm looking forward to a new beginning. How fitting, to start a new adventure in the New Year!
I plan on getting some projects done while on unemployment, also plenty of writing. Now I have no excuse to let my WIPS languish. I'll pretend I'm going to work, but instead to into the other room and sit myself down at my desk and write on, and on, and on...

PS Some of my Facebook friends have recommended killing him off in one of my manuscripts - tempting idea. I wonder if it will fit in somewhere or if I can make room for it somehow. http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel

41 comments:

  1. Morgan, how I hated reading about this. No matter how hard you try to put a positive spin on this - and good for you for looking for the positives - it really stinks when this happens to people who have been dedicated to a job and a company. And to treat you like a potential criminal was a real slap in the face.

    I hope the writing plans go well for you, but don't forget to do a little screaming in the background to let out all the negatives from this experience.

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  2. This sounds so familiar. I think putting him in a book is a good idea. **Hugs**

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  3. Escorting the terminated out seems to be standard operating procedure. Termination then humiliation.

    Better than killing him in a novel is killing him in flash fiction. I once wrote about eight flash pieces, killing a guy a different way in each one. Placed some, sold some. Publication is the best revenge. ;)

    Marian Allen

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  4. Wow. Just goes to show how far "loyalty" goes in the job place. I love your fierce determination to not let it stop you from carrying on and succeeding. Here's to finding a much better job with less hours and more pay!

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  5. Loyalty seems to be a four letter word in the business world any more. I'm sorry to hear about your being giving your walking notice. Ish, not nice.

    Yes, kill him off in a novel or make him the villain.

    And write, write, write.

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  6. I'm so sorry, Morgan, but it might turn out better than you think. Concentrate on your writing and hang a dart board with his picture on it. That might help to rid yourself of anger.

    A happier and more productive New Year!

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  7. I can tell you how much I feel your pain. I have been laid off from jobs so many times and my last one was at the beginning of 2010. It was no surprise though and actually appreciated. Having the boss meet a bad end, I like that thought.

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  8. No words can adequately describe such situations, Morgan. I'm sorry, and wish you the best to new beginnings.

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  9. "Keel heem, SeƱorita, but keel heem slow."

    I'm very sorry to hear this. The humiliating escort is uncalled for. You'll bounce back, I know, but he deserves special [fictional] treatment.

    Once, many years ago, in the bad old days, I had a particularly nerve-wracking session with a bill collector. Afterward, I sat down at my typewriter and introduced him to someone in a cemetery he didn't want to meet. Quite cathartic.

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  10. Personally I like the killing him off...I mean what can it hurt. Man Morgan I'm so sorry to hear this but early retirement isn't a bad thing. I'm just about done at my other job, it's just a matter of days, probably before spring and I've been adjusting myself to the "separation." The job stunk anyway...complete waste of time and made no money so what's the point. Been there about 15 years but parting is not sweet sorrow, lol. You'll adjust and think of all that extra writing you can do or even start an online business!

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  11. I'm so sorry Morgan. Seems like an awful way to end the year but I'm hoping the next year brings you tons of blessings!

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  12. Morgan,

    I'm so sorry this happened. But, everything happens for a reason, and good will come of this.

    Just think, now you can be a full-time writer! Keep your positive attitude.

    (And definitely kill him off at some point in some project.)

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  13. Morgan, I'm so sorry to hear this. I wish you the best in 2011 -- more joy, success and time to write.

    I wouldn't kill the boss off...I'd have him be the spineless wienie in several tales!!

    Write on....

    Libby

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  14. Wow, Morgan. I'm so sorry. Hmmm, wonder if you can sue for age discrimination? Another tempting idea.

    Well, enjoy your unexpected vacation. And yeah, get those WIPs done!

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  15. Morgan,what a lousy way to end such a long and dedicated career. There is no loyalty in the business market anymore. I hope you insisted on a thick severance check. They owe you after such a long time. Hugs.

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  16. Sorry to hear this. Hubby got laid off over a year ago and was forced to take retirement. We had planned on him working for another year or two, but things don't always happen the way we plan. Good luck with your writing endeavors. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise.

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  17. Morgan--look upon it as a blessing. No more s...ing up, no more dirty work,no more whatever. It's a shame employers aren't more appreciative, but often that's the way of the world. But 38 years? Geesh. Yes, please look upon it as freedom and time to do something else. You do not want to work at a job into your elder years--no time to think of something new and fun. Good luck, my friend, and bless you--Celia

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  18. Insurance is my bugaboo, otherwise I'd stay retired and get social security after unemployment runs out. I will have to look for something, hopefully something more fun, but not right away.

    Morgan

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  19. Morgan,
    I'm sorry to hear this. Loyalty doesn't exist any more. It's all about the bottom line. But don't take the escort out too personally. I was escorted to the elevator, too. It's now SOP so they can escort out the ones they are worried about without those people crying foul.

    Catch up on your sleep, do a few projects that have been on hold for a while and write, write, write. I've gotten a lot of writing done since I was laid off in May.

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  20. Judging from what I've been hearing and seeing, I do believe I belong to a very large club of people who have lost their jobs. The trick is to make the most of it, which I plan to do.

    Morgan

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  21. Crap. I'm sorry. The same thing just happened to a friend of mine who helped build a business and got booted out to "save costs" last month.

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  22. Morgan:
    At first I thought, yeah, kill him off ... now I'm thinking better revenge would be to write in a young replacement with no dedication, no social skills, no comprehension of the job, and definitely no loyalty ... and he wishes, no - he prays ... if only I hadn't fired Morgan!!!!!!!!!!!
    And you, you're onto a new career, busy with author dates and appearances and everywhere he turns he sees your best seller and it drives him INSANE!!!!
    Please, don't kill him off - make him S U F F E R !!! :)
    Hugs to you ~
    DL Larson

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  23. Dianna M10:26 PM

    Yeah, why is it they let you work the whole day and then whack you with the mournful 'this-hurts-me-too-and-by-the-way-don't-let-the-door-hit-you-in-the-butt' crap. Then you get to drive home in rush hour traffic while the betrayal, shock, and humiliation sets in.
    Once, after being granted my freedom in a particularly devastating liberation, I got some comfort from remembering the words Robert Loggia's character said to the heroine(Glenn Close)in the movie, "Jagged Edge": "Fu** 'm, Honey, he was trash."
    Take your freedom and make it count. You can do it!

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  24. Life sucks sometimes...good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. Revenge fantasies may be fun but they sap your strength. Good luck to you in future endeavors. You'd think it would be cheaper for the govt. to pay folks to do stuff that was useful instead of unemployment. Surely it's time to resurrect the WPA!

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  25. Hi Morgan,
    Sorry to hear about the demise of your job. Years of dedication obviously meant nothing when it came to the crunch. Your boss has probably got some brainless little dolly bird in mind for your job. Blonde hair and big tits. That happened to me once. It stinks.
    I am sure you will find soemthing better in the new year.

    Best wishes

    Margaret

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  26. Morgan, sorry to hear about your job. My husband's job was snet overseas the end of November, 2009. We lived off his meager severance package and unemployment for 8 months. Fortunately, things worked out (read: divine intervention) and he got a new job that began October 4. It's a great job, and a good company. Hopefully, he can retire from there.

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  27. I'm counting on St. Anthony to find something for me. He's been a great help before when I've looked for stuff.

    My good friend says she's on such a close basis with him she calls him Tony. (g)

    For those who don't know him, it's a shame, since he's such a marvelous help.

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  28. I'm so sorry to hear this, Morgan. I went through a similar experience years ago--but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened. Lots of changes happened that wouldn't have if I'd stayed in the same place.

    2011 will have many wonderful surprises for you, of that I'm sure.

    Marilyn

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  29. Morgan, that is horrible. And I agree with the Facebook friends - kill him off in a book.
    Margay

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  30. Morgan, "new beginnings" -- who knows what is ahead for you.

    Betty Gordon

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  31. Ouch, Morgan. But let's hope there's a silver lining in that cloud, somewhere, and you can use it as an opportunity for lots of new things. And YES, there's material for a villain in there! Hope 2011 is good for you. :)

    Jane x

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  32. OMG, that's exactly what happened to the heroine in my first book! If it's any consolation, she ended up with a best selling book and a great guy.

    I'm sure it's a shock, but hope it turns out to be an amazing opportunity, too. I've been in this same position and, once I got over the anger and hurt, new doors opened for me. Hang in there.

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  33. Morgan, I'm so sorry! Wow, no two weeks warning or anything? Right after Christmas, too. Lame!
    New beginnings!! It's an opportunity, not a disappointment.

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  34. So sorry, Morgan. I'm now even more amazed that you were able to do so much blogging and work a full time job. Watch out for Morgan now! I wish you all the best. And I'd say this creep isn't worth wasting time on in your thoughts. You know you did your best and be at peace with that. Justice isn't always done here on earth!

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  35. Anonymous12:33 PM

    This country is falling apart at the seams, I'm telling you.

    You are too talented of an individual to be treated like that.

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  36. I agree with Deb's idea, which is a good one--make him suffer! Make a whole novel out it, hon. It will be cathartic and an awful lot of fun.

    Seize the opportunity to make this year amazing, despite him, that's what I would try to do. It will give you all the satisfaction you need! :) Good luck, Morgan!

    Sheryl
    xx

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  37. Morgan,
    I'm so sorry to hear about your job loss.
    Thanks for leaving a comment this morning on my blog. I left one after you but I wanted to leave one here too just in case you didn't check back. I'm praying for you that all works out well and you find a job that you love. Take gentle care.

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  38. I am so sorry this happened to you. Keep up the good attitude and kill him off in one of your stories. I like that suggestion. Or get a doll with his face glued to it and stab it with really long pins.

    I learned a long time ago that you have to look out for yourself in the corporate world.

    This just makes me so mad. Grrr.

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  39. I'm so sorry to hear about your job. You have a great attitude thought, and you never know, sometimes these things turn out to be blessings in disguise. I hope so in this case! Anyway, get a lot of writing done. My best wishes for a better New Year!!

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  40. Morgan,

    My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you. However, the fact that you've managed to hold on to your sense of humor is a very good sign!

    We live in a culture of youth - the wisdom and experience that comes with age garners no respect any more. The most important thing is that you do not take this personally, that is, you recognize that it was a (probably bad) business decision that does not reflect on your or your abilities at all.

    And I do like the notion of taking some fictional revenge! Maybe you'll write a best seller and you can laugh all the way to the bank.

    Warmly,
    Lisabet

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  41. This situation is sadly extremely common. I do hope your bad end turn out to be a wonderful new start. Stay positive and keep writing. Find some humor in it and it'll make you stronger. Best of luck to you.

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