[The_little_didgee]

Yesterday I was one of seven people who got laid off. The operations manager called me on my day off to notify me. I was pleasant on the phone and didn't say much. What is there to say in a situation like this?

The way they informed me conveyed what the company feels about me. Rather than being honest and respectful, they chose the worst and most insulting way to let me know.

Later on I learned my position wasn't eliminated but filled with another employee with less seniority and experience. He is also paid less than I am. How can I not question this and feel irate about it?

I definitely won't be returning if I get a call-back, before the 13 weeks are up. I was planning to start looking for a new job in the spring time anyway.

[CANDC]

Hi @The_little_didgee sorry for the loss of your job and that you feel it was not done in a dignified way. I do not know what led up to that, but one thing I know is many big and small companies are cutting corners to maintain profitability. So maybe this job loss can be reframed. It sounds like you were not thinking of staying there long term.

When I have had job losses I started the job search immediately in order to improve my chances of landing a job as soon as possible.

Good luck on your job search. What kind of job are you thinking about?

@CANDC

[splitimage]

I'm really sorry you were laid off, and that the company was awful about it. I hope you manage to find something soon.

[Have Hope]

Sorry you got laid off in a dishonest manner. I would be outraged too. I was recently let go from my own job, so I can in the same boat as you. Wising you all the best, and I hope you find something far better!

[Mendingmysoul]

Sorry to hear that.I hope you will find another job in no time.

I hope you can get a new job quickly, I said this to someone on another website as well: don't bother with Reed or CV Library (UK job search websites) because employers (in my experience) don't even look at applications made through those two websites

[The_little_didgee]

Thanks for the replies.

I pick up my Record of Employment document along with last week's pay tomorrow afternoon. The manager also agreed to write me a reference letter since this isn't a termination due to poor performance or whatever. I am also allowed full access to the group heath insurance benefits until the layoff expires.

I refuse to enter the building and answer all kinds of questions from coworkers, so the manager agreed to come outside to give me the items.

I'm still bitter, but I feel better today.

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by willowtigger

I hope you can get a new job quickly, I said this to someone on another website as well: don't bother with Reed or CV Library (UK job search websites) because employers (in my experience) don't even look at applications made through those two websites

I'm in Ontario, Canada so I never heard of those websites.

I used Indeed in the past, but only got replies for jobs that were temporary.

[The_little_didgee]

I got an email from the company owner. He heard I was upset about the layoff. I let three managers know and made sure they knew exactly how I felt about being told over the phone that I lost my job. The owner of the company apologized.

I'm not sure how I feel, but I do appreciate the apology.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by The_little_didgee

I got an email from the company owner. He heard I was upset about the layoff. I let three managers know and made sure they knew exactly how I felt about being told over the phone that I lost my job. The owner of the company apologized.

I'm not sure how I feel, but I do appreciate the apology.

That's interesting that he called to apologize, and strange, IMO. Is anyone ever NOT upset, even at least to a small degree, about a layoff? Even if you wanted to leave, even if you quickly land a better job, at the very least, in the moment of being laid off, it's upsetting. The experience is upsetting. Even if you recover quickly.

And being told over the phone was lame and cowardly. And so he "called" to apologize... That's almost adding insult to injury, right?

Well, if the apology helped you or was appreciated, that was good. You were completely entitled to be upset at both being laid off and the manner in which you were laid off. Let them sit with their discomfort of you telling them how you feel. They still have jobs, right?

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by seesaw

That's interesting that he called to apologize, and strange, IMO. Is anyone ever NOT upset, even at least to a small degree, about a layoff? Even if you wanted to leave, even if you quickly land a better job, at the very least, in the moment of being laid off, it's upsetting. The experience is upsetting. Even if you recover quickly.

And being told over the phone was lame and cowardly. And so he "called" to apologize... That's almost adding insult to injury, right?

Well, if the apology helped you or was appreciated, that was good. You were completely entitled to be upset at both being laid off and the manner in which you were laid off. Let them sit with their discomfort of you telling them how you feel. They still have jobs, right?

He apologized in an email. I'm not sure how genuine it was. He did explain that he tried to delay it as much as possible. I have to give him credit for that, but...... if he really cared he wouldn't have laid me off. He could have reduced my hours, but he chose not to. Money comes first.

This layoff has made me realize that I am just a number. Every workplace seems to be like this. It is really discouraging, since we spend so much of our lives at work. -- Knowing this only motivates me to start my own business, but I need money before I can do that.

Coworkers are definitely not friends, nor managers who tell you personal things like mine did.

My manager just bought a brand new Lexus. It's her very first car after recently getting her G2, one level below a full G license here in Ontario. She obviously isn't suffering.

And yes, it felt very insulting especially during the first week.

Seesaw thanks for your reply.

[The_little_didgee]

The layoff will most likely become permanent. Five people were let go on Thursday afternoon so the chance of getting recalled is almost zero. I will officially lose my job in 4 weeks.

I am using the last of my insurance coverage now and will make sure to fill all my prescriptions before it expires. I will not have coverage for at least 3 months afterwards.

The company owes me vacation pay ($850.00). I cannot help but wonder if they have the funds or not.

[Aviza]

Sorry you were laid off. Hope better things are on the horizon.

[Samicat]

Just found this thread - hope you are doing okay and that you find something better.

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by Samicat

Just found this thread - hope you are doing okay and that you find something better.

I am okay. I took 4 weeks of "medical" on EI. It helped and gave me time to get my teeth tended to and let my stomach and emotions recover. Now I am actively looking for work. I hope I will find something before the EI runs out.

Tomorrow I am going to a unique job fair that focuses on neurodiverse individuals. I'm looking into other types of work, besides what I am trained in to widen my search. Hopefully this event will be worth it.

Thanks for the reply.

[splitimage]

Don't know if this will help you or not, but if you have meds expenses that you have to cover out of pocket until you find another job, you might want to look into the Trillium Drug plan. This is not the same as the Trillium tax credit.


The Trillium Drug benefit is available, in Ontario, to people who have high meds expenses relative to their income, and it covers most meds. You pay a quarterly deductible which is calculated as 4% of your net taxable income divided into 4 payments - one each quarter. I used the Trillium drug benefit for my meds before I got on ODSP which covers them.

Good luck with job hunting, I hope you find something soon.

[The_little_didgee]

Splitimage, what were your monthly medication expenses when you were insured with Trillium?

I'm not sure I will qualify since I discontinued all the expensive prescriptions in January and my 2022 income was well above the "poverty line". I could ask the pharmacist about it.

[The_little_didgee]

I'm in the middle of a job application. This is stressing me out so much that I decided to take a break. I'm over qualified for the job but I am not letting that stop me from applying. I might not get called but that is okay as long as this doesn't keep going on and on. It's nights 5 days a week and starts at $19.50/hour. That is $3.50 less than what I was making when I got laid off.

I really hate writing cover letters. My mind is going blank right now and it feels like the top of my head is going to blow off. My shoulders are also very tight. Grrrr. I hate looking for work.

[splitimage]

I think my medication expenses were around 300 a month when I was on Trillium, but don't quote me on that. It might be worth talking to your pharmacist about it,

Good luck with the job applications. I absolutely despise doing them too. I found it helpful to give myself a small reward after each one I completed. It didn't have to be expensive or complicated - just sitting and enjoying a nice cup of tea while listening to music.

Fingers crossed that you find something soon.

Originally Posted by The_little_didgee

I'm in the middle of a job application. This is stressing me out so much that I decided to take a break. I'm over qualified for the job but I am not letting that stop me from applying. I might not get called but that is okay as long as this doesn't keep going on and on. It's nights 5 days a week and starts at $19.50/hour. That is $3.50 less than what I was making when I got laid off.

I really hate writing cover letters. My mind is going blank right now and it feels like the top of my head is going to blow off. My shoulders are also very tight. Grrrr. I hate looking for work.

Sounds like it was time to take a break. How's the job hunt going Little Didgee?

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by WovenGalaxy

Sounds like it was time to take a break. How's the job hunt going Little Didgee?

I am finding it stressful and at time discouraging. I'm still jobless.

The layoff has turned permanent. I will receive a cheque in the mail for about $750, my vacation pay. They took $100 off the $850. Now I wonder if EI will consider it income or let me keep it without penalty.

I spoke to another employee earlier this week who was laid off about 3 weeks ago. It seems like the company is in a lot of trouble financially. Apparently they barely have any work. They also had a visit from the Ministry of Labor since someone got hurt. A few days later an inspector showed up and nearly closed them down.

It has to be bad. The operations manager is taking 2 weeks of unpaid leave to visit family in the US.

[The_little_didgee]

I applied to a two semester college course that is sort of related to what I was doing. I'm not sure if I am going to do yet, but just want to keep my options open.

Now I'm looking into temp agencies.

It's hard to find a job that pays a liveable wage that doesn't require a degree.

[Pinny]

All the best with the job search!
It sounds stressful, but well done for managing and for applying for courses that keep your options open!
I hope you find something suitable soon!

[The_little_didgee]

I got accepted into the 2 semester program I applied to at the local college. I'm not sure if I will accept the offer yet. I can fund the first semester and live off my savings but the second one I will need assistance.

[splitimage]

Congratulations on getting into the program. It's good you have that option. So many employers now require post secondary education that it might worth doing.