@OldDog wrote:
Sorry, for the delayed response pubicallly.
With my load in real life I shut down, even binged some pleasant projects (even if I might be lucky to break even)
I had a performance review for this job within a month of my termination. 85% over all, now even a boomer wouldn't see themselves as at risk at that level.
My employer tried to force changes on me, I cited the law, no. Nothing wrong with saying this is what the law says.
They came back to me, well we found you lied on a small part of your report and we needed you to be flexible. That is why we are firing you.
Any merchandiser knows stores don't get stock, there are million and one problems, they were insisting I take a pay cut of over 25%, and not protest it.
I’m so sorry you’ve experienced this. It’s truly an unfortunate, insulting waste of loyalty and talent.
Unfortunately, the laws (in the US) also say employment is “at will” from both sides (in most states). That means our rights of vesting, performance, benefits, and job stability…aren’t because the employer can terminate us without cause as they wish (with a few labor law exceptions).
That makes us all essentially IC’s/temps because they don’t want to (spend the $$) do what’s required of an employer (provide benefits, accounting/record-keeping….rewarding loyalty, wisdom, good relationships and good service) with commensurate reward.
Example :
My father in law worked for the same well-known communications company for 50 years. Before that, served in the Navy, got hired upon honorable discharge, worked his way from installer to foreman, weekends, holidays, commuting 4 hours/day on the NY subway system.
He’d married into his sweetheart’s large extended family, raised a family of his own, saw 2 children through cancer (= lots of OT), got to be grandad to 8 grandkids (so he knew what was truly of value). Everyone he loved lived within 20 mins…
By 55 he was at the top of his pay scale when the next generation “legacy” CEO took the helm with new MBA tricks and decided he and those like him were being paid too much (cutting into profits).
First they tried to pay them off (with a lesser lump sum than their cumulative paychecks) to retire early. He declined. Then they tried to force him to relocate for a position many hours away. He took a pay cut to remain close to his children and grandchildren. Then the corporate looters raided the retirement funds, further diminishing what he’d earned.
He ended up retiring on time with half of what he’d earned and planned on…and didn’t know what to do with himself. Oh, and the gift for 50 years of service and sacrifice from his employer: a watch, but it was a Timex.
The ones “offering” the work have become so far removed from the trenches, they can’t relate to what it costs to survive much less how valuable relationships, experience, and loyalty are.
I’m sorry that happened. You deserve better.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/02/2025 12:15AM by SBP.