Thread regarding Citrix Systems Inc. layoffs

@1dqz - I'm so sorry, but you are not going to like hearing what I'm about to share. My advice is not useless. You are making a choice. I've been there with three small children all under 4 years old at the time. You and your spouse have to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and set aside some traditional gender roles in the household. You are a two parent household and while you are working, Dad can pick up some of the child care responsibilities.

It may take some coordination, but Dad now has some extra time on his hands. Yes, most of his time should be spent searching for the next job, but he can allocate four or five hours a day to that.

You must take advantage of every opportunity to create an income flow. While daycare, at the exorbitant fees we see, is not an option, there are other plans you can create. Many churches offer discounted child care, so it's worth a check.

Starbucks offers 20 hour+ part time employee healthcare once your employer paid Cobra has run out in two months. Typical pay is $9 to $10 per hour and a pound of coffee a week. (Not kidding.) They are hiring for their holiday rush and need help especially on weekends. You could easily get 20 hours a week in there.

Get creative. You can certainly work there, or anywhere, early mornings, evenings, and weekends while your hubby works the phones for interviews and opportunities. Not only will you supplement the severance package, but you'll provide your family with the critical health care they need. I think it's BCBS.

How about working retail? Retailers are expecting a booming season this year and are hiring seasonal workers through the holidays. Not only that, but most also offer a discount on purchases to employees, which would help with that gift budget. This will not likely offer the health insurance benefits, though.

I'm in a senior management role at my company. We will make it through on one salary for a while, but we do have three kids in college. The good news is, with small children, you are not looking at three college tuition and housing bills due in December. That expense far exceeds a weekly daycare expense.

My message is... Don't wait. If a company offers benefits, there's often a 30 to 90 day waiting period before they start.

You might just find it very rewarding.

... Unless you just want to wallow in self pity, believe working outside the home is beneath your current pay grade as a SAHM or simply use motherhood to shield yourself from taking on additional responsibilities at a critical time.

@PAc8JDz-gsq some spouses can't work even if they want if the children are too small and don't go to school yet.they have to be home to take care of the children.do you know how much daycare costs these days?thank you,but your advice is useless for some.

Thanks @gsq - my husband was laid off today too. This hit him much harder than both of us expected. I think that he was hoping that he may be able to stay (he was a one man show in his group) but they axed the entire workstream. Anyhow, we've been blessed to be able to enough to weather a prolonged storm, tomorrow marks the first day of his job search.

I wish you all the best and keep your head(s) up - we will get through this. As for Elliott, they destroyed this great company and they will get what they deserve.

It's time to move on.

Unfortunately, this experience is not uncommon in the tech industry. Not that knowing this helps, but you will get through this. My husband was laid of twice in seven weeks in 2000. Then he was out of work for 7 months.

Some of you have young children. If you face long term unemployment, you BOTH must be willing to work to make ends meet. I know this may not have been your preference when you created your family plan, but think of it as a temporary solution. Don't delay. Grab that opportunity to wait tables, teach yoga or use the skills your education gave ya'! It's a mom-power opportunity and will create some necessary separation while your spouse hits the digital pavement looking for new work. Sign up with a temporary staffing service. Mom skills are great for working reception and other administrative roles. I love hiring part-time moms. They are my favorite skill set.

My husband reached out to former colleagues today, updated linkedin, indeed, and a few other sites. He was offered a contracting role by one of his prior employers. It's short term, but he will take it!

We have three kids in university.

My advice - Do not turn a single "real" opportunity down. Take something, anything, that brings in sufficient income to keep the lights on. You WILL get through this.

My spouse has survived it but worries what work will be like with many resources gone. May have been better off getting the package.

BTW What is the package? Several rumors before today that Elliott was going to lowball.

That powerwheels post was heartbreaking. I wish I could donate one for you.

My husband was also laid off, today. He is home, we are having a glass of wine. There have been tears, but we will face tomorrow as a brand new day.

My heart goes out to everyone affected by this round of layoffs.

Good post @bbz - thanks for your soothing words

Let the tears go process emotions before your spouse gets home. It is you and the family that will feel this worst of all. DO NOT think this is your spouses fault. it in no way is. It is a tough road ahead when there are kids involved, a child support payment, a requirement to stay in the local area and not be able to take a job offer in another state.

BUT... The stress and pressure will be released and with the family love and support it will work out. You might have to take a step backwards for now to take two steps forward. And never again love a company so much you forget you are expendable for no more than making the numbers work.

I worked at Citrix for 18 years and was let go in 2015 and after my grieving period have felt the loss of stress is worth it.

No matter what, we need to be strong for him/her.

This thread escalated quickly

Yes, this is just another one of life's curve balls.

We are getting married in three weeks & the hammer just fell for my fiancee.

Let's all keep praying. Trust God despite the circumstances, He closes doors to open better ones. Let's be strong for our spouses.

May God Bless us and our families!

@wlu same here - waiting to hear from him. He left this morning without saying a word, he just could not talk. It crushed me.

Waiting to hear from husband too. My stomach is in knots.

It a tough time and my prayers go to the families of who lost their job today.

Best of wishes for your future, and may this experience make you stronger.

I feel for all of you. I've been caught in a layoff before. What I found is that life does go on and you can survive this. With severance and/or unemployment, you can make it, but you have to cut your budget to "needs" only- food, home, water, electricity, ...don't eat out, defer student loans for a while, talk to your creditor and explain the situation. When things got better, I had learned that I could live without "wants" like cable and didn't add it back once I had a new job and salary. You will be alright. It will just be uncomfortable for a while. Best wishes!

Sending out best wishes to everyone else in this horrible position.

Inside I am scared and so so angry at the big dogs in this company for dumping loads of their top management talent to save their incredibly high salaries and shareholders.

My husband was let go today. He has spent the majority of his career with Citrix. We have two small children--a nearly 3 yr old and a 5 month old. We were a single income household. I am crushed. I haven't had a second to break down. I need to release the anger and fear. I feel execs have handled this so terribly. It was a shock to both of us. My husband is a damn good worker and he went above and beyond for work-- our son was born two weeks early and he left me the next morning, in the hospital two states away to attend a class he was signed up for so his boss didn't have to worry about rescheduling. He has worked weekends and holidays and never said no to work. Yet, he was the one chosen to get the axe. We are heartbroken. The what if has always been there but nothing prepares you for your three year old grabbing the Toys R Us Christmas catalog and talking about what he is going to ask Santa for and you are sitting there, holding back tears thinking you will be wrapping up things you already have to put under the tree this year and he probably won't be getting the power wheels we promised because we will have to prepare for possible long term unemployment.

I know I'm not the only spouse/significant other of a Citrix employee that's been freaking out all day (and maybe checking this site every few minutes).

If anyone needs to chat, I'm here. I know we all want to think our spouses are too good to be let go, but we need to stay positive no matter what. It's okay to panic and freak out for a few minutes, but don't let it control you, and don't let it last too long.

We get through it by staying calm, and eventually moving on.