Layoffs Are A Business Decision ("It's Nothing Personal, OK?")

The first time, I was working at a local media outlet in the Pacific Northwest that needed to move from a 1950's infrastructure into a new, 21st century digital facility. I was honored to be given the challenge to coordinate the design, construction, and implementation of the new facility. In doing so I delegated many of my regular day-to-day duties to one of my managers. Not long after the facility was completed, 911 happened, and the economy tanked. The VP/GM said to me "I love ya, man, but I can't keep ya." I was fortunate to receive a nice severance and so began the journey.

The second time I was working as a product manager for a major media and entertainment industry vendor. When I came on board, the company had ~ 3,000 employees world-wide. Six months after I was hired, the board replaced CEO's. The new CEO replaced senior staff twice and began systematic RIF's (Reductions in Force). When I was laid off after 5 years, the company workforce was around 1,400. On December 31st of that fifth year I received a call from my manager saying that he was in town at a hotel nearby, the company was based in Massachusetts and I worked remote, and that we needed to meet that morning. We met in the lobby, and he escorted me to a meeting room where there was a speaker phone, and he and HR informed me that my position was being eliminated He had the decency to fly to Florida to meet me in person, and I will always respect that.

The next tine, I again worked remote for a company this time based in California. Soon after I was hired it was clear to me that the CEO/Owner, was building up a company structure to appear more attractive to buyers. About three months later he announced in a staff meeting that the company was for sale. Almost a year to the day of my hire I received a conference call from my manager and HR telling me that my position was being eliminated that day, and that there would be no severance.

The last time really sucked. I was working remote once again. This time it was for a Canadian company. I was recruited by them for a new role to to be part of a new product launch. The manager who hired me and had the vision for the new role was replaced a year later by the product's designer. My first review with the new manager was very positive, however he was still new as my manager. The second review I had with him a year later was positive with goals set for improvement,and that was in December. The first week of January I received a call from my manager and HR telling me that my position was eliminated that day with limited severance.

Since the first layoff, I have been in a constant state of reinvention. Looking for new roles where I can exploit my skills, be compensated fairly, and have fun doing what I do is my number one goal. I firmly believe that people rarely succeed at anything unless they have fun doing it.

What have I learned?

 - RIF's are a business decision and yeah they suck.

 - Working remotely can make you an easy target for job elimination.

 - Getting laid off is not the end of the world, although you may think you can see it from there

 - Take time to grieve the job loss, but not too much time.

 - Network with every contact you have - not to ask for a job, but to ask for help meeting your next contact - Think "Six Degrees From Kevin Bacon" 

 - Lastly, ageism is very real in the workplace, and eliminating a position is an easy tool for companies to shed older workers in favor of ones who are younger and cheaper. The market place for viable career-oriented roles is a competitive road, and consideration for talented individuals who are 50+ is tougher and harder to obtain. 

My advice if you are laid off - Keep stepping up to the pate and swinging for the fence! Positive results are up to you.