a year, six weeks vacation, seven personal days and the freedom to do a good job. Especially since there are jobs listed on the internal board, but I wasn't offered one. What ever happens it's not going to suck for me for 10 years, because I'm not working another 10 years. Eight is my max, but I cant work anywhere long enough to get back to where I am today.
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I was laid off in my 50's, too. It was harder to get interviews for jobs, because management of some of these companies are younger. Don't get discouraged by that. While not working, I looked at my life and decided I did not need all of the expensive things I had been paying for and barely using like cable. I cut that and have free antenna TV and also movies from the library or Netflix. I even considered selling my home and moving some place smaller and less expensive. Some of this stuff we think is so important is really a burden. I got to spend more time with friends and family. It made me wake up and see what is really important. I do work for less now, but it is worth it to me.
I was riffed in 2012. It was tough but now I am at a better place and making more. Stay strong and keep your head up. It will work out in the end
I was in the same position last year. It took me 5 months to find a new job and I love it. Small company and more pay than VZ. I was surprise to find out that I was underpaid at VZ. The drawbacks are no one has benefits like VZ. Not one company I interviewed at had benefits even close to VZ. The job I took only gives 10 PTO's a year (that includes sick, personal, vacation). Limited PTO is pretty standard out there now though. I am reading these boards and feeling sorry for everyone b/c I went thru this same thing last year, but I am in a much better place now and you will be too. I will never miss being afraid of getting laid off each and every holidays for the last 8 years though. My wife and I were glad that the other shoe finally dropped and we can have a normal holiday this year.
A positive spin on all this is that you no longer have to wait to see if you get cut. I know it sucks, but after it all settled in my head, I'm just trying to think of the opportunities that I was too busy to explore before. Hell, I'm finally taking the time to get my Doctor appts in... If you were a lonnnng term employee, and you can pick up something new in the next 2-3 months, they effectively gave us a kickstart into more money overall. In the grand scheme of things, I enjoyed my job, but in the end, it was always about the cash. Besides, if you are one of us with all those years experience, there are going to be companies that want to take advantage of Verizon's foolishness. Hope that perspective helps guys!!!
A positive spin on all this is that you no longer have to wait to see if you get cut. I know it sucks, but after it all settled in my head, I'm just trying to think of the opportunities that I was too busy to explore before. Hell, I'm finally taking the time to get my Doctor spots in... If you were a lonnnng term employee, and you can pick up something new in the next 2-3 months, they effectively gave us a kickstart into more money overall. In the grand scheme of things, I enjoyed my job, but in the end, it was always about the cash. Besides, if you are one of us with all those years experience, there are going to be companies that want to take advantage of Verizon's foolishness. Hope that perspective helps guys!!!
Hi @389. I was in the same situation 3 years ago. Laid off at age 57 after 35 years with Verizon/GTEDS. It is scary having to do a job search after so long and start over, but you have lots of experience it seems. Use that to your advantage. There are much better companies than Verizon looking for good people to hire. Verizon is not going to change in doing RIFs in the future. Leave Verizon in the dust and find another place to finish your career. Best Wishes...
Sane here. 45.. 60k. A job i excelled at.. Since I'm going to lose all that time and take a job with. 2 wks Vaca its going to be something I love even if its 10$ an hour. I say that now.... Hope I can stick to it as my bills keep coming in.
You have won, sir. The more I reflect, the more I think those of us who remain are the real losers. After Bloody Thursday, I will always wonder when my day will come.