How is your career going?

[Paingod]

Good luck. Here, anyway, IT is doing pretty well. I'd definitely be cautious of accepting that reduced of a salary for long enough to define your price for prospective employers. Were you offered any sort of severance package? Keep in mind if the company is that unstable, they might kick you to the curb in a few weeks but do so at your greatly reduced salary (which would also affect things such as accrued vacation payouts). The guy is a bean counter, don't think he's not considering this.

I hadn't considered that angle, honestly - but it goes against everything in their company ethics book. Even though they're sinking, they haven't tried to reach out and screw anyone. Some people with long tenure were given additional bonuses. One guy that had been with them 20 years got to keep his $1900 laptop filled with $2500 in software licenses so he could easily work as a contractor anywhere he could find it.

I talked with HR this morning and learned that I was going to get a 1 week time delay before termination, with the option to either take my PTO in a lump sum or paid out over a few weeks. I think I have just 2 weeks accrued right now, having taken a week off just last month. That's the extent of the payoff - I get my due and I'm gone.

The HR Director (who I've work with on a few things in the last couple years) is more than happy to provide an outstanding reference for me in addition to a "We did this because we had to, not because we wanted to" letter for me to hand future employers to explain what happened.

[Jeff V]

Even if the company won't try to leverage your counter-offer, the risk of you devaluing your worth is real. If the company accepts your generosity, you might have a chat with HR so they agree to support your former salary in any future inquiry. Even if you think you're being paid exceptionally well for what you do, try to avoid stepping backwards, it can be hard to get back to where you're at.

[coopasonic]

Good luck. Here, anyway, IT is doing pretty well.

Yeah, IT demand is high here as well, but Chicago and Dallas are a bit different than rural Maine.

I grew up in the country and understand the draw of it to a degree (except for the part where I am allergic to most everything in nature and the way my skin reacts to sun exposure you'd think I was a vampire), but it really limits your options.

[Paingod]

...rural Maine...really limits your options.

I know. I do have the fortunate (or misfortunate) placement of being 45-60 minutes from the three biggest population centers in Maine. I go South 60 minutes, I'm in Portland. I go north 45 minutes, I'm in Augusta. I go west 55 minutes, I'm in Auburn.
I don't want to drive an hour each way, but at this point, I'll take it.

Even if the company won't try to leverage your counter-offer, the risk of you devaluing your worth is real. If the company accepts your generosity, you might have a chat with HR so they agree to support your former salary in any future inquiry. Even if you think you're being paid exceptionally well for what you do, try to avoid stepping backwards, it can be hard to get back to where you're at.

I've been concerned about that. I never got as far as negotiating it, though. I'd only willingly accept it if they signed an agreement stating that at the time of my departure, all benefits and salary were reinstated so I couldn't be shafted that way. The CFO was also talking part time, but the more I think about it the more I feel that I'd make less on part time than unemployment - plus they'd still be calling me for support on the days when I wasn't supposed to be working.

My last boss here wrote me a glowing letter of recommendation, which I'm going to include with my resume and cover letter when I submit them.

[malchior]

Sorry to hear about this Paingod. This is a tough situation - my wife went through something like this a few years ago. I agree with others who say don't devalue yourself. Also I don't know if you considered it but if the company is making extremely risky cutbacks like this then it is likely near the time when the company is going to start to death spiral. So you can get what you're due now or risk part-time/reduced full-time salary for some time and then suddenly nothing. She ended up getting about 20% of her lost pay and none of her back vacation time...months later after they were able to liquidate.

[Jeff V]

The CFO was also talking part time, but the more I think about it the more I feel that I'd make less on part time than unemployment - plus they'd still be calling me for support on the days when I wasn't supposed to be working.

Oh no no no, do not accept part time employment. You can, however, offer to provide continuing service on a contractor basis. Make sure your rate is at least the going rate for 3rd party services in your area; after all, that is their only recourse if you are no longer available at all.

[Paingod]

The CFO was also talking part time, but the more I think about it the more I feel that I'd make less on part time than unemployment - plus they'd still be calling me for support on the days when I wasn't supposed to be working.

Oh no no no, do not accept part time employment. You can, however, offer to provide continuing service on a contractor basis. Make sure your rate is at least the going rate for 3rd party services in your area; after all, that is their only recourse if you are no longer available at all.

Before he calls me in to discuss this, I should make a call to a labor board and make sure they can't force part time on someone instead of laying them off. I didn't offer it as an option; the CFO came up with it. I don't see how it can really work since they'll still need support on the days I'm not here. He may have talked to our HR guy, who really seems on the ball and very competent, and found out he shouldn't try. I don't know yet. At this point, the looming anxiety of will-they-wont-they is just making me feel ill.

I like the idea of contracting "as-needed" but the last time I was on unemployment, I almost lost benefits for contracting myself - as a "self employed worker" I didn't qualify. I had to plead my case that being a "contractor" was the term of employment with this guy - in the end they found him in violation of labor laws for hiring on "contractors" and expecting them to perform like employees - and I got full benefits again. Basically my case worker saw that I was trying to do the right thing and get off unemployment, and was being taken advantage of.

*Edit:
I did call the labor department and the skinny seems to be that I'd be better off as a part-time, partially "unemployed" worker. In Maine, unemployment benefits have a 1 year life span - 26 weeks if you're completely unemployed. The value is based on income, but does have a cap of $410 per week. I'm at that cap. If I'm partially unemployed, I only tap into that benefit total by as much as I use to make up the difference, stretching it further than 26 weeks, up to 52 weeks. Additionally, the first $25 I earn doesn't count - so part time + unemployment gets me $435/wk where complete unemployment gets me $410. They still expect me to look for full time work as a condition of unemployment.

[Isgrimnur]

Maine

In lieu of a layoff, employers can temporarily reduce their work hours in a particular unit, shift or company from 10% to 50%. To help offset the loss of hours, the affected workers can receive a modified weekly unemployment benefit.

To Be Eligible, the Reduction Must:

• Be temporary and not related to a seasonal, or intermittent down turn;
• Reduce hours by at least 10% but not more that 50%;
• Have otherwise resulted in the layoff of at least 10% of the workers in the affected unit for 2-6 months; and,
• Affect a unit of the business that normally works on a full-time basis.

To Receive Unemployment Benefits, An Individual Must:

• Be included in an affected unit of the business
• Have earned enough wages in the last 18 months to meet the regular qualifications for unemployment benefits; and
• Be able and available to work their normally scheduled hours for their employer.

Benefits are paid on a percentage equal to the hours reduction. Someone who has lost 25% of their hours would receive 25% of their normal weekly unemployment benefit.

[Paingod]

So the news is in - July 1st is my last day. I get paid for the 4th of July holiday, collect 92 hours of PTO, and I'm out the door. I feel - OK - about the whole thing. Relieved.

Sadly, the information I've been getting today from people above me is that they think the entire company is circling the drain. No one's making it a secret anymore. They've had to let go of so much experience and talent that even if they land a bid and get a big project, they won't have anyone to make it. I've basically been told that in maybe a month or so all that's left is a couple small projects and the service end of the business (which is doing well) - that'll support maybe 40 jobs, but not the 200 this place can run when things were booming.

[Isgrimnur]

Make sure your unemployment is filed before you unpack your box of desk dust-catchers.

[hitbyambulance]

So the news is in - July 1st is my last day. I get paid for the 4th of July holiday, collect 92 hours of PTO, and I'm out the door. I feel - OK - about the whole thing. Relieved.

Sadly, the information I've been getting today from people above me is that they think the entire company is circling the drain. No one's making it a secret anymore. They've had to let go of so much experience and talent that even if they land a bid and get a big project, they won't have anyone to make it. I've basically been told that in maybe a month or so all that's left is a couple small projects and the service end of the business (which is doing well) - that'll support maybe 40 jobs, but not the 200 this place can run when things were booming.

this was the new place you're working at, right? not where your wife is at?

[Isgrimnur]

Fraud losses have put the brakes on financial outlays, so my Q3 new employee has been put on hold, and I can't get any money to remove the "Junior" from my current minion. Oh, I was told we could get her the title, but no funds would be available to attach at the moment, nor back pay when things cleared up. I decided not to demotivate my employee by doing so.

[Paingod]

this was the new place you're working at, right? not where your wife is at?

Correct.

[The Meal]

So the news is in - July 1st is my last day. I get paid for the 4th of July holiday, collect 92 hours of PTO, and I'm out the door. I feel - OK - about the whole thing. Relieved.

Sadly, the information I've been getting today from people above me is that they think the entire company is circling the drain. No one's making it a secret anymore. They've had to let go of so much experience and talent that even if they land a bid and get a big project, they won't have anyone to make it. I've basically been told that in maybe a month or so all that's left is a couple small projects and the service end of the business (which is doing well) - that'll support maybe 40 jobs, but not the 200 this place can run when things were booming.

Good luck. Best to be early out the door than last. For small companies which are *really* out of money, I've seen those final checks (vacation pay and final severance) bounce. Recommendation: be the first guy to the bank once those are cut.

[Jeff V]

Recommendation: be the first guy to the bank once those are cut.

Employees are still paid with checks?

[The Meal]

Recommendation: be the first guy to the bank once those are cut.

Employees are still paid with checks?

The last few severance checks I've received were not direct deposited. YMMV.

[Jeff V]

Recommendation: be the first guy to the bank once those are cut.

Employees are still paid with checks?

The last few severance checks I've received were not direct deposited. YMMV.

Odd. Maybe that's something a failing company would do. My last few have been direct deposited -- the last 3-4 companies I worked for I don't think even had provisions to cut payroll checks, all were direct deposit from the get-go.

[Archinerd]

Well that was a bit unexpected. I got laid-off today too.

[Isgrimnur]

Sorry to hear it.

[Zaxxon]

Sorry, dude.

[Zarathud]

That sucks. Hope you can find something better.

[Odin]

Well that was a bit unexpected. I got laid-off today too.

That sucks. Sorry to hear it.

[Archinerd]

Thanks all.

I guess it wasn't entirely unexpected. Over the last month I've only had about 6 hours a week of billable time. This last week I only had about an two hours of actual work to do. Another guy was also laid-off this morning, he's been there 3 years. It's a small firm 10 people total, now 7 (another co-worker is returning to graduate school and her last day is Friday next week).

One thing is for sure, I'm done with architecture as a profession. Too much bullshit for not enough pay. The timing could have been much better though, my wife was laid-off from her job a year ago, then stopped looking for another job when she became obviously pregnant. We'll make it work somehow, we always have in the past.

[Jeff V]

Sorry to hear it. If you're giving up on your trade, what sort of work will you do? I've worked on a lot of construction/facilities projects, but only once worked with an actual architect (she was cute...maybe that's you're problem?) Project managers, however, are always involved and might possibly be in more demand. Any chance you can parlay your past experience into something like construction project management?

[LawBeefaroni]

Sorry to hear it, Archinerd. If you're looking, let me know what for.

Sorry to hear it. If you're giving up on your trade, what sort of work will you do?

Not to put words I his mouth but we all know he's like design Jesus.

[Archinerd]

Well, maybe I'm not entirely done with architecture. It's possible they could give me a call back this Fall and re-hire me.

We were slow because most of our government work dried up in large part because of the State budget crisis. Several of the firms long time clients rely on State funding and are deferring projects and laying off their own staff. When I was hired I was told I would be managing a few projects for a new client who was buying and developing several properties. That relationship soured when they decided not to pay us regularly. This summer we we supposed to be working on a new big, very high profile project. It's such a big project we probably would have needed to hire 1 or 2 more people... unfortunately that project kept getting delayed and last I heard on it is possibly October. If this does actually happen, there is a chance they could call me. I guess I would decide then if I would accept or not.

So, unless I get a call back this Fall, I'm done with the profession. I originally went in to architecture because I like to draw but I didn't think I had enough talent to make a living at it.
I've decided to test that, because I'm not sure it's true. So, my current plan is to become and independent, self-employed designer/illustrator/cartoonist. I've been told for years by friends and strangers alike that I should be doing more with my art, so it's time to see if I can make that happen. I of course have quite a bit of work to do in the next few weeks figuring out just what that means and how to make a living at it. But I have ideas, I've never had a shortage of ideas. Now it might sound like this is not a high paying job, and you're probably right. Just remember, neither is architecture.

[Isgrimnur]

Sorry to hear it, Archinerd. If you're looking, let me know what for.

Sorry to hear it. If you're giving up on your trade, what sort of work will you do?

Not to put words I his mouth but we all know he's like design Jesus.

If he keeps expecting people to walk on water to get into his buildings, that might be part of the problem.

[Paingod]

I guess it wasn't entirely unexpected. Over the last month I've only had about 6 hours a week of billable time. This last week I only had about an two hours of actual work to do.

Ouch; that's a slim workload by any measure... Best of luck to you in your hunt!

On the front I'm fighting, I've had a phone interview (with more info this week hopefully) for a Project Manager job (permanent, not contracted or temp) and one of my old bosses I reached out to for a reference called me up and asked if I would be interested in a position she might be able to create for me. Apparently her company is restructuring and while they have an IT guy, she tells me he's not forward-thinking enough and added that I could also run a warehouse on the side. I've never personally jumbled IT with non-IT in one job, but I've seen it done and it creates conflicts in priorities. I stalled by asking her to put it into a job description for me to review - and while it's not ideal, it is employment.

[Smoove_B]

One thing is for sure, I'm done with architecture as a profession. Too much bullshit for not enough pay.

It sounds like you've made up your mind and want to do something else with your drawing skills, but I can offer a different perspective. My dad went to school to become a licensed architect but ultimately just graduated with a degree in architecture. He's good at translating the written plans into actual things so that's where his career ended up going. I guess it's still technically giving up architecture, but he was still able to apply what he leaned towards a career in construction. I know another licensed architect that works out of NYC and for many years he was borderline homeless. I more or less figured it was a high demand, well paying job but apparently that's not always the case or it takes decades to get to that point. Anyway, I figured I'd toss that in. Good luck with whatever you're doing.

[hepcat]

Hopefully we helped you forget about it for a bit on Saturday!

Have you thought about graphic design in advertising (either in-house for a company or at a marketing/advertising firm)?

[Paingod]

I know another licensed architect that works out of NYC and for many years he was borderline homeless. I more or less figured it was a high demand, well paying job but apparently that's not always the case or it takes decades to get to that point.

This is suddenly making me glad I didn't chase Architect out of high school and mire myself in debt. I almost did, and even had been accepted into a school for it... but decided to just loll around for a few years instead.

[Isgrimnur]

DOL OOH (I love typing that.)

Employment of architects is projected to grow 7 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Competition for jobs will be very strong because the number of applicants continues to outnumber available positions.
...
About 1 in 5 were self-employed in 2014.

[Odin]

I've been procrastinating on enrolling for welding school because... well, just because, really. Meanwhile, I had a second interview as Customer Support manager for a major forklift manufacturer last week. They've narrowed it down to two finalists, and my competition is probably in there right now. Getting this job would put me "back in the game," for good or ill. I'll be making good money again doing work that I... don't really enjoy at all, but have experience with and am generally pretty good at. It seems like a good company to work for. For the first time, I'd be taking over a team that ISN'T broken and in need of a major overhaul, which would be nice. So I suppose I should know within a few days how my career is going.

[paulbaxter]

Not quite a career update, but...

I'm halfway through semester six of seven in nursing school. It's been very challenging, but the end is certainly in sight. Things are looking fairly promising on the job front. Ideally I'd like to go into OR nursing, which would mean getting hired at a hospital with a good training program. There are a couple of hospitals in my area that do that, so that's plan A.

Plan B is just to see wherever I can find a position. We've been told that Cone Health, the largest hospital system to the West of me, is definitely hiring Associates Degree nurses. Yesterday I had a clinical placement at a long term acute care hospital (LTACH) where they say they are really looking for new nurses. They apparently pay quite well. I'm not sure that's where I really would feel comfortable, but it's certainly an option. Also, I've been volunteering four hours per week on an oncology floor (just for resume building purposes) and I get along well with the management there, so I could quite probably get at least an interview there.

So things are looking fairly optimistic around here.

[GreenGoo]

Some organizational changes coming in the fall, and intuition tells me I'm probably not going to like it. Might have to start looking for another job (within the Federal government). I wonder if DND will have me back now that I'm tainted.

[EvilHomer3k]

One thing is for sure, I'm done with architecture as a profession.

Have you thought about designing houses? I have a friend who makes a pretty good living designing custom houses for people and construction companies. He used to work for an architect but does it on his own now.

[Fitzy]

Some organizational changes coming in the fall, and intuition tells me I'm probably not going to like it. Might have to start looking for another job (within the Federal government). I wonder if DND will have me back now that I'm tainted.

Is it 5th edition? Or a few behind like most government programs?

[Paingod]

Updates:

• My last day is tomorrow, and I still feel really good about it.
• The guy they saddled with my responsibilities has been asking a lot of good questions, but I'm afraid he won't be able to keep up the overall network. You can't just walk in and run a multi-site network well without some kind of good IT background.
• I'm trying hard to disconnect myself and just let it go. I've already prioritized out two or three things I just couldn't get to and had to write off. A user that delayed my assistance on a recurring nuisance problem suddenly wanted me to spend hours fighting it; sorry. Another user needs equipment installed that won't arrive until next week; sorry. A new phone system that was supposed to come in this week, but didn't; sorry.
• I've got two interviews scheduled for next week. One of them is mighty eager to speak with me and contacted me hours after I submitted my resume. The other is for a service company and I'm not overly excited about it. A third opportunity was with a more prestigious service company as a Project Manager, and I'm waiting to hear back from them. A few other resumes are floating around out there waiting to be read.
• I'm going to wrap up with approximately 120 hours of PTO coming my way, which is nice. They're going to cut me 3 40-hour checks at once to avoid a big tax hit.
• I am SO ready to have a few days of being able to put my phone down or even shut it off and not worry about it. I haven't been able to do that in 8+ years.

[Jeff V]

Congrats Paingod, sounds like things are well under control. Enjoy your break!

Tomorrow is the day we are supposed to start assuming our new post-spin roles (the split doesn't legally occur until 10/1, the next three months are to squash bugs). Already though things are breaking left and right. My phone started ringing at 6 am today because a plant I am assuming control over had a database system I never heard of go down. Fortunately, the previous supervisor gave me his diagnosis, which was to send it off to another team for resolution.

It also appears I'll be making my triumphant return to Detroit July 27. Haven't been there since this borg assimilated my previous company six years ago.

[Binktopia]

To answer the OP title: It's not.

But maybe soon.


I have hope.