Started out just as any other day today....until around mid day when I was in the middle of getting a tender ready I was called in to the boss's office.

My industry has been pretty lean for a while so we've been doing it tough with turnover & margins a bit sad, but we've been working really hard on improving that over the last few months and we've been getting there. Must not have been enough though as I've been made redundant, effective immediately, so after 5 years of putting in the hard yards for the company, within about an hour I was home and officially unemployed.:repuke

Wish I knew about this a month or so ago, maybe I wouldn't have bought that Forester GT for the wife. Oops.

Still can't believe it, neither can the customers of mine that I've told. Maybe its an opportunity in disguise???

John Howard has a lot to answer for. All our assets weve worked for gone, all our rights weve worked for gone. This country has taken a few big steps backwards lately. Hopefully, as you say, this can be used as an opportunity. Good luck.

Sorry to hear that Greg,
Must have been a shock for you....
and the wife....

I hope something better comes along...

cheers

Lee

Mate, don't let your old boss firing you slow you down, eh. All that work you've been putting into strengthening their market position, well it's time to start putting that directly into the customers as your own boss. The customers will show their appreciation by paying your morgtage and car payments...

What it comes down to is, if you have confidence in what you can do and the customers have confidence in what you can do, you're in business. And don't feel guilty about stealing customers away from the company you were working for up til now, they've shown no allegience to you, so why would you owe any to them... As far as "your" customers are concerned, you were looking after them, and you can keep on doing that with or without some "boss" getting in the middle all the time.

what he said - people do business with people - not companies....if you've got good client relationships, see if you can leverage them ... you could also go see your rivals and see if you can create a new job. Do it quick, the boss with be busy trying to consolidate them, and he won't be telling them the business is iffy...make sure they know the real story ... give em all a call (if you don't have a non-compete clause) - just say hello and give em and email or a mobile....the goodwill fades after a while...don't delay...hard working people tend to find new jobs ay...

Best of luck...

[ Edited on 31-8-2006 by crewcabconnection ]

Yep it was a real shock, at least my wife has just started working again so theres some income, and being a redundancy there's a reasonable payment coming that will help until I find another job. Rather still have the job though. Was not the best job in the world but a decent product I was selling and the best job I've had in this industry so was relatively happy.

Toughest decision now is do I stay in the same industry, or get out now and do something totally different. Different sounds a bit more exciting, but its easier sticking with what I know. 10 years in the industry = a fair bit of experience.

That is crap!

I am sorry i missed you at ARBS

Stay with the industry. It is a good one. There are lots of different areas to work in.


Barry

I agree with warrior. If you don't have a non-competitive clause in your exit agreement (if you have one), go get those clients for yourself. Your company has shown you no loyalty, you owe them none.

How things have changed. In 1969 when I was working for a stock broker during the Poseidon mining share boom, I got a job with another stock broker to be told that I needed my current employer's permission to take the job and because I went behind their backs to get it that if I took it I would be black balled for life. I was expected to be totally loyal and they would give me the same loyalty. That I did not know about that situation was the only reason why I kept my job (for a while). The share bubble burst and everyone in the firm was given 6 months salary when the firm closed down. To the end they were loyal to me. A stock brokers motto is "My word is my bond."

The same thing happened to my Wife,10 minutes before knock off she was called into the bosses office and told that things were slow and she would not be needed after today.

Have had a lot of people we know have had this happen since little johnny's new laws

But in the end she got another job a few weeeks later that pays better and she loves.

So look on the bright side you will get a better job.

Like us though you may have to tighten the belt a bit.

Good luck.

Marc

Better go get the 64 finished, it's gonna have to be my daily driver now.

Company car goes back Monday

There's no such thing as loyalty anymore. That all changed when employees became widgets, not people, and profits and shareholders became the focus. Good luck with finding something else. Sometimes things like this aren't meant to happen.

On the counter....I'd love a redundancy after 22 years service....$$$

Firstly, commisserations on your new found position - though it does sound like you have the drive and ability to sort out another position.

You could always (seeing as it sounds like you are a qualified drafty) try and get into the heavy industry area - ie Engineering houses etc, I know the oil industry and mining industry are massively short of proffessionals...... who knows you may end up in a better position than you were before....

All else fails, move to Perth. The only unemployed people in Perth are those who WANT to be unemployed I think......

I'm so glad i got the job i have now, not too many people in OZ are trained in Gas turbine engines overhaul and maintenance. I've gone from being a low paid unrespected chef to a well paid very respected aviation engineer, i think the trick is to find something you love doing and be the best and most knowledgable that you can. It would be very hard for my boss to sack me at the moment. And yes Dickhead Howards laws do suck, friends that i had in hospitality are doing it tough now. Cheers Damo.

Trust me things happen for a reason. The new IR laws suck big time, but in the end you will find something better.