Another job cut this time it's me.

[C908]

Well just when I thought I would coast into retirement in about 5 more years I got the rug yanked out from under me. I am just starting my 9th year with JC Penney where I am the catalog/ JCP.COM Supervisor.Last week I was told the new CEO formerly with Apple will be starting on Nov 1st and we can expect some big changes.One of the first changes is they will soon be announcing in the stores that there will no longer be a Catalog/JCP.COM Supervisor. They said if I stay with them until March when it goes into effect I will receive 8 weeks severance pay. This puts me in a really bad position since I live in a small town of 20,000 population with very limited oppurtunities. To make matters worse I just had my elderly parents move here and buy a house down the street from us last April so I can't move. My wife does work but we need two incomes to survive in todays economy. So now I'm looking at being unemployed two days after my 57th birthday and losing my health,dental and life insurance.They say everything happens for a reason so I'm trying hard to figure out what the reason is. Right now I'm trying to keep my head straight  and a positive attitude but it's hard. I keep thinking how hard I have worked for them and never missed a day or been late in over 8 years.I know there are some of you that have also experienced job loss so you can relate to what I am feeling.

[musclehead]

you've lasted this long in a total crap storm of anti-capitalism,  hold on for a bit longer. 

[R J]

That sucks.

Don't they have a vacant position they can offer you till retirement?

Sounds like they brought in a Hatchet Man.

Good luck Brother. 

Just pull the belt a little tighter each month and something better will open up.

[Tundra]

C908,
  I feel your pain, been there. Same story only both my parents and my wifes parents moved closer to us for their Golden Years. None of our siblings are responsible enough to care for them. Then we BOTH got laid off, the very same day about two years ago. I felt horrible and depressed although I tried not to let it show. I stayed positive for everyone elses sake. It was a rough patch and my age, (close to yours) I thought was a factor in folks not hiring me, as there were sooo many other younger qualified workers to choose from.
  Stay calm and get methodical, get a plan. Start with a short and sweet updated resume. Then start networking to everyone you and your family know, get the word out, don't be ashamed, like I was. I got up every morning at 3:00am and job searched using several saved job web-sites, I also used web-sites specialized towards Veterans and Government jobs, get set-up and keep plugging away daily. Don't spend too much time, leave time for life and family.
  If you get discouraged, go for a ride...It's really amazing how it can "bring me back" and straighten my head out, get the stink blowed off.
  I would quit searching and sending out applications at 9:00am. Then twice a week, I would cold call places that I wanted to work and try to meet someone that could put my face with a potential job, shakin hands and kissin babies. This got very frusterating because of Human Resources departments, you can't really get to the folks that know crap about the job, or do the interviewing or hiring. But it's still an effort in the right direction in networking and hopefully someone will meet someone who will make a differance.
  Another thing, depending on your financial situation, we cut way back to bare essentials. I had to evaluate what was a needed expense, cell phones, cable TV, ongoing memberships or monthly bills and expenses the were not essential were cut. I feel you need internet with a good reliable computer, fax, printer for a successful job search. Nothing is in ink these days, "fax me your resume"
  Get familiar with the Unemployment web-site now, so it's easier to navigate when you have to. It was a very simple process and the checks rolled in on time, just not enough to live on, but every little bit helps. I checked with the unemployment agency and was told that my severance did not count towards income. I was able to file for unemployment while collecting severance for two months. Call your office and get answers before you need their benefits, get your ducks in a row, at least you have some notice to prepare.
 I wish you the very best, you and yours are in our prayers. If I can help or give moral suport in any way feel free to pm me.

[Tim H]

I lost my job last October.  I didn't get a long time warning, but I knew something was up.  I had made previous cuts before, but eventually the entire department went away for a season.  You'll make it alright.  Between severance, unemployment, and mowing lawns I was able to keep my family running through the spring and summer.  I picked up some sub-contract work that's lasted until now.  Since you have a lot of time, as suggested, put away enough to pad you after the unemployment stuff runs out if you don't find anything before then.  Start thinking about what bills you need and which ones you can eliminate that most people "need", cable bill comes to mind for me.  Or if you have a debt you need to knock down before the time go for it hard.

Good luck, it's better than getting dumped on your ear with no warning.

[Rowdy]

  Sorry to hear your in the un-employed club - it's not an easy pill to swallow 

Oct 2008 I got the word that my days where numbered - thought they would bring us back in 2009 that did not happen - I too would have liked to have worked a few more years. I gues I could have if I decided to go with the Company to China or Mexico - not what I had in mind.

Lost my best friend (complication from agent orange) the same week I got let go from work, and found out my wife had cancer the next month, and she passed in May 2009. The upside I got to spend 6 months with my wife 24/8 before she moved on, tests & doctors and the final stages, I feel blessed I was not hindered with work during that time, I had a lot on my plate. Moved my Mom into a retirement village and got the old house ready for sale and sold ect. 

If I was working I'd have beem stressed  trying to juggle all those issues.   I turned 63 last Feb and signed up for SS, since un-employment ran dry, did not want to relocate and follow the jobs.   So here I set, still scanning the want adds but surviving - life goes on. 
 
If the weather was better I'd be out ridding 

[DarkMeister]

Oftentimes, situations like yours turn out for the better in the longer run. Keep an open mind and good luck.
Keep a careful eye out for symptoms of stress. Job loss is right up there with divorce, death and others as significant stress factors go. If you can, speak with your physician about it. There are many indicators to look out for and try to manage.

[Willow]

Chuck, I'm really sorry to hear you got caught in this and so close to your planned retirement.  Hang tough.  I'm glad to hear that you got some advance warning so you can make plans and adjustments.

Listen to your friends.  Hopefully one day you'll look back on this and see it as a really good thing. 

[BigAl]

As a Cold War Warrior(IT's Complicated) I was bounced off the Gov't tit, 7 times in ten years.

Finally made the dive to management and have been pink slip free for almost 11 years.

Could be gone tomorrow, with no place to go.

I know how you feel.

Been there and done that.

You have a tough row to hough looks like.

Stay cool, take the severance, take the unemployment if you have to.

Then everyday go out and walk or what ever you do to excercise, and thinking will become clearer and you will see the path.


But if you own a bike , going for  a ride right now would be a good thing to do.

If it's a Valk, even the better, I think pretty clear at about 95 to a hundred mph.


Good Luck Brother and God Bless you.

[The Anvil]

Sorry to hear this. May you find gainful employment and soon.

Everything does not happen for a reason and when it does it's not always a good one. But how it turns out in the long run is often determined by how you manage to deal with it so stay positive and always remember to count what you DO have rather than lament what you don't have or have lost.

[WylieGibbs]

There are some pretty good post here with sound advice and some stories of adversity. Hang in there, you will find your way through.

WG

[dipstick]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your job. My thoughts and prayers go out to you for find gainful new employment.

[The Anvil]

And if it helps you put in in a more positive light then look at it this way; you've effectively got seven months of employment and income to look forward to so you've got time to look for other work AND plan for the possibility of being out of it for a while. I know it may not seem like much but I've seen a few people get crap-canned recently with no notice or severance whatsoever.

[C908]

Thanks everyone for the kind words ,I'll try and keep a positive attitude. I have been in retail management for a lot of years. There have been a couple of other times over the years when either the company closed or my department was eliminated. It just seemed easier when I was younger and there was more oppourtunity when I lived in the city. I'm going to take a long ride on my bike tomorrow and clear my head. 

[highcountry]

That just plain sucks!!  I feel your pain.  Over my years of employment, I got sent down the sh$t-canned road twice with little severance but came out of both okay.  Hopefully, you will also.  I am retiring next summer and I am praying that they lay me off.  I'll get 6-mos of severance this time.

Here's hoping for a quick and successful outcome.

[Chiefy]

Something similar happened to me 10 years ago.  One of my buddies told me "One door closes, another door opens."   I wanted to tell him to stick it where the Sun don't shine.   But he was right.  Things worked out for the best.  Fingers crossed it works out that way for you too.

Don't wait.  Start looking now.