I just got fired on Wed.

It's just now sinking in. They've offered me a package, but I have to take it to a lawyer and submit a counter demand to improve it. I hate conflict.

The good news is it wasn't performance related at all - management restructuring, but I'd really hoped to be in the job for 3 years so I'd have a nice stable period on my resume.

I'm recovering from MH issues as well as alcoholism (the reason I lost the job before this one) so I do have some gaps on my resume.

The good news is employment for designated accountants seems to be picking up where I am, at least according to the headhunters who have been calling me.

But I can't help it. I'm scared.

Oh, I'm so sorry you got laid off. You going to apply for unemployment benefits? I always "forgot" or didn't think to. I would think you'd do okay finding a new job; I think almost 2+ years is a fine period of time, especially given the company restructured, etc.

That really stinks. I hope that you find a new place soon.

If you just got fired two days ago and you already have headhunters contacting you, it's a good sign. You'll find something else pretty quickly.

Oh Split, I am so sorry. This sucks. You got a curve ball, didn't you? Well, can't keep a good woman down! You can do this, let the lawyer do the confrontation stuff, you get a new job. Get the benefits that are rightly deserved and don't use. Not even the first one, it's never enough.

You did it before, you can do it again. Just keep counting your days of sobriety....that's got to count big time for your adjustment to unemployment. And like Notz said, let your attorney fight for you. That's what they are for!

Keep hanging in there and good things will happen.

We're here for you SplitImage.

(((((SplitImage))))))

I'm so sorry this happened. It is hard even when we know there is nothing we could have done about it. You'll be able to find a new job. No one will hold getting laid off because of restructuring against you. Stay strong.

One little thing at a time.
Try to put the big picture out of your head and just do one little task at a time. Hope you'll keep in touch here and let us know how it is going.
Sending you good thoughts and warm wishes.

E

Very sorry to hear about your recent job loss. I lost my job three years ago and was able to do freelance work for a time. That's something I wouldn't have had the courage to try had it not been out of necessity. Hopefully some new exciting door will open for you as well. Good luck!

Thank you all for the support. I have bad news and good news. I did wind up relapsing, then got in an accident and totalled my car. So now I'm starting over with sobriety too.

The good news is I was able to negotiate a much better severance package than they'd originally offered. They'd originally offered me exactly what was spelled out in my contract 4 weeks pay in lieu of notice and 2 month's severance.

Now here's the twist, I did their payroll so I knew the detail of every single severence package paid out in the last 2 years, so I pulled the best bits of all of them together.

I wound up getting the 4 weeks pay in lieu, 5 months severance, benefits continuation until Dec. 31. 50% of my annual bonus, and up to $2,000 for outplacement assistance. This buys me a lot more time to get back on my feet and find another job. 3 months would have been tights especially since it's summer, but 6 months is definitely doable.

The best news is financially it carries me through to Dec. when I have some investments coming due that I can cash in, if I have to. Once my severence runs out, I'll be eligible for unemployment but it's not much so I'd have to supplement it with my savings, all of which are locked up until Dec.

I'm still really scared, but I feel a lot better now.

--splitimage

((Splitimage))

start attending aa and find someone you can talk to about your situation. your lucky to not have ptsd. good luck