Need support - career crisis

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m
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Need support - career crisis

Post by m »

Hi,
I'm at a crossroads. My job is being eliminated. Either I take a demotion and pay cut and work for someone who dislikes me intensely but keep my benefits and full-time status or I take a buy out and walk into the unknown. I'm not good at sudden change or decisions and I have to make this decision by Monday. Right now I'm in such a state that I can't think straight and of course my gut is going haywire. I just want to pull the covers over my head and hide for a year.
melissa
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tex
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Post by tex »

Hi Melissa,

That's a tough situation, and a very short deadline. Does anyone know if it's legal to require a decision in such a short amount of time, in a situation like this?

Personally, if I were in your shoes, and I thought my new boss would try to make my life miserable, I'd take the money and run. Here's why: If my job got to the point where I hated to go to work each day, I probably would wind up leaving anyway, sooner or later, and it's better to leave with a buyout package, than to leave with nothing but bitter regrets.

Also, the buyout will hopefully bring you some funds, which will allow you to take the time you need to find a job that you like, even if you decide to make a career change.

There's a lot to be said for happiness, and satisfaction in one's work.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck in your chosen path.

Love,
Tex
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Post by Polly »

Oh Melissa!

This sucks big time. Did this hit you like a ton of bricks :bricks: or did you suspect something was up?

What a difficult decision you have to make. I am wondering how much time you already have in....and how much time before you could legitimately retire with full benefits? If it is a relatively short time, I might try to stick it out......especially if the benefits are significant, like health care or a pension or something. Also, the size of the buyout would influence my decision too. If it is a small amount, I'd probably stay put a while longer until I could find a better opportunity.

Hopefully Jill will stop by with some words of wisdom. I know she experienced a downsizing recently, and she probably knows exactly how you are feeling.

Hang in there, girlfriend! Better times are ahead. :rainbow:

Love,

Polly
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Post by barbaranoela »

Melissa---I agree with Wayne--

I say that cus my daughter faced the same issues that U are---
Her department was eliminated 2 years back~~~~~and she is still looking~~~
She took a small buyout~~~~and walked~~~~

Your situation sounds just as Debs---
AND she had worked for someone that was a total bitch---and NEVER again--
Hated to get up and go to work to face this miserable being--

So a good friend has gotten her temp work ----$$$$ is far from what she made but she is holding strong---

So Melissa--dont cover up---- :smile: ---there is always a reason for a change---as much as we *wonder--why*---something better is waiting for you--

Luve Barbara :bigbighug:
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Post by kate_ce1995 »

Melissa, I'm so sorry to hear about your job. I agree with what the others say. Don't forget unemployment pay too, which will give you time to find something else if that is the route you go.

Might be worth a call to the Labor Board to just check and see about the timing issue. Like maybe you can get a 2 week time frame to decide on the buy out while working in this other position.

Time to pick up a newspaper and see if there are jobs you like the sound of for equal or better pay/benefits.

Katy
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Post by Jean »

m,

Sorry to hear about the job thing. We both know that Michigan is not a great place to try to find a job, matter of fact, it just sucks. Any chance there's something at UofM or (dare I say it?) MSU? Don't mean to discourage you.

I think what Wayne said made lots of sense. I can't tell you how happy I am now that I have my dream job. I don't make near as much money as I have in the past, but I love going to work everyday. There's a lot to be said for that. I never would have gone this route when I was 25.

Let me know if there's anything I can help you with neighbor.

Love, Jean
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Post by MaggieRedwings »

Morning Melissa,

I totally agree with Wayne and the buyout is like "A Bird in the Hand is Worth 2 in the Bush" saying. Having recently changed jobs, I can say to get something you like and not having to work with nasty or in my case, incompetent people, is a Godsend.

And yes, look into Unemployment. It should pick up when the buyout ends.

Love and Good Luck, Maggie
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Post by starfire »

Well, you've already been given the best advice I can imagine so I'll just say I wish you Good Luck and I'm hoping for the best for you.

Love, Shirley
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Post by Tessa »

Hi Melissa

I am very sorry about your situation. I know you are feeling sad but you had excellent advices here.

I know that "changing" is hard. We always want to be calm and steady and it is not easy to change so suddenly. Even though, think about your feelings. It does not seem you are happy and... what if you found a better job, one you really love, one that makes you feel comfortable...?

Think about it carefully. Maybe it is not so sad as you thought at first. :wink:
There´s always sun after the storm.

Love,
Tessa
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m
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Post by m »

Well I talked with the HR dept. and the buy out is not all that generous--3 months with paid medical. Then I can file for unemployment. I have to pay my own COBRA but Rx are covered under COBRA thank goodness. I have some savings and I own my own home but leaving without a job to go to would be really risky. As Jean points out, the Michigan economy is very, very bad. It's not out of the question that it could take a year to find another job. Considering I am in an extremely limited field and do not wish to move out of the area, I'm screwed. Interestingly enough, except for you guys, the overwhelming majority of people here that I talk to say take the job for now but look for another one immediately. I'm so confused, I just don't know what the right thing to do is.
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tex
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Post by tex »

Melissa,

If the buyout is no better than that, then you might as well try to ride it out a while, and, as suggested, start looking for another job in your spare time. It's tough for any of us to offer advice on what you should do, not knowing all the details of both options. Only you can make a qualified evaluation of the situation, and base your decision on how you feel, since you understand your situation and your needs, better than anyone else in the world.

Love,
Tex
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Post by JJ »

Hi Melissa....wow...bad news....so sorry about the job situation! I agree with Wayne. I am a big chicken, and I know it would be too scary for me if I were in your situation. I mean...it would freak me out to quit without having another job in the wings. On the other hand, change can be an opportunity for growth. Hahahaha...but...I sure didn't feel that way last spring when I heard that my job was cut back. Good luck on making the right decision...I'm thinking of you during this difficult time.

take care...JJ
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Post by harvest_table »

m wrote:Considering I am in an extremely limited field and do not wish to move out of the area, I'm screwed. Interestingly enough, except for you guys, the overwhelming majority of people here that I talk to say take the job for now but look for another one immediately. I'm so confused, I just don't know what the right thing to do is.
Melissa, so you have enough $ saved to carry you through until you might find another position, which could take months or up to a year? You work for a museum -what do you do?

That buy out is not good- I'd vote for keeping your job and working for someone who dislikes you (why is that?) and look for new employment. Go to work with a positive attitude each day and that might make things easier.

Sorry this is happening...

Love,
Joanna
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Post by starfire »

M,
Just my humble opinion but I don't know how they can even justify calling that offer a "buyout". It's a terrible offer.

I'd say, keep the job if you can stand it......especially since you don't want to leave the area. Keep looking for something better, though. You never know.

Good Luck, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
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Post by Polly »

Hi Melissa,

I just want you to know I am thinking about you and agonizing right along with you. That is not a great buyout, and with the poor economy and your limited field, it might be safest to stay in your job for now. But, of course, only you can decide. I think the best advice is to go with your gut. It's good to do things like list all of the pros and cons of each option and consult with friends and family, but in the end you have to pick what FEELS right for now, as Wayne says. How are you leaning at this point?

And remember, you are in control of whether that nasty person is allowed to "GET" to you. Hang in there.

Love,

Polly
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