canyonwalker (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
canyonwalker) wrote2021-01-28 10:11 pm
canyonwalker) wrote2021-01-28 10:11 pm
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The Day of Truth: When You Know You're Getting Whacked, Part 4
Recently I've been writing a small series about a time when my work colleagues and I knew a layoff was coming weeks in advance (part 1). We partied and slacked (part 2). Except I wasn't certain I would be laid off— though I did stack the tea leaves (part 3). After six weeks it came down to the Day of Truth.
Anyway, the Day of Truth. I had a first-of-the-morning meeting with my new director, Fabio. Yes, amid all the wrangling about layoffs the company also reorged me. 🙄
As I've written previously I was in the "maybe layoff" portion of my team. During the long walk to my new boss's office in a neighboring building on campus I legit didn't know whether the conversation was going to be, "Welcome to my team, CW!" or "Hi, I'm your new boss, and BTW you're fired." 😨 This director was the head goofball in the neighboring department of goofballs I mentioned previously, so I hoped it was the latter. 😅
For all that I'd spent the previous 5-6 weeks being nonchalantly non-worried about being laid off, suddenly I felt anxious. The Day of Truth was becoming the Moment of Truth.
The conversation in my new boss's office was mercifully short. Fabio didn't try to get to know me; we barely even made smalltalk. We quickly got down to business, which was my dismissal from the company. I assured him I had prepared for this possibility, was not worried for myself or my family, and held no ill will toward him or the company. I think we were done in less than 10 minutes.
After getting my papers I walked back to my office, packed my things, and hung out one last time with my colleagues. I stayed much longer than I needed to. I know part of me didn't really want it to end.
Staying through the end of the day did bring one unexpected note of closure. Fabio called me again. "CW, please come back to my office."
"Uh-oh," I wondered, "Is something wrong with my discharge?" 😳
Stay tuned... The Aftermath!
The Day of Truth
The Day of Truth came. It was a Monday. I remember years later it was a Monday only because I remember meeting friends that evening at a local pub, the Duke of Edinburgh, for weekly Monday night gathering. I had affixed a "NOT COMPANY PROPERTY" sticker, intended to distinguish personal items from company assets, to my shirt. It was worth a few laughs among people who knew what it signaled.Anyway, the Day of Truth. I had a first-of-the-morning meeting with my new director, Fabio. Yes, amid all the wrangling about layoffs the company also reorged me. 🙄
As I've written previously I was in the "maybe layoff" portion of my team. During the long walk to my new boss's office in a neighboring building on campus I legit didn't know whether the conversation was going to be, "Welcome to my team, CW!" or "Hi, I'm your new boss, and BTW you're fired." 😨 This director was the head goofball in the neighboring department of goofballs I mentioned previously, so I hoped it was the latter. 😅
For all that I'd spent the previous 5-6 weeks being nonchalantly non-worried about being laid off, suddenly I felt anxious. The Day of Truth was becoming the Moment of Truth.
The conversation in my new boss's office was mercifully short. Fabio didn't try to get to know me; we barely even made smalltalk. We quickly got down to business, which was my dismissal from the company. I assured him I had prepared for this possibility, was not worried for myself or my family, and held no ill will toward him or the company. I think we were done in less than 10 minutes.
After getting my papers I walked back to my office, packed my things, and hung out one last time with my colleagues. I stayed much longer than I needed to. I know part of me didn't really want it to end.
Staying through the end of the day did bring one unexpected note of closure. Fabio called me again. "CW, please come back to my office."
"Uh-oh," I wondered, "Is something wrong with my discharge?" 😳
Stay tuned... The Aftermath!