Gardening Leave
Right, time to set the record firmly straight. My place of work is currently hemorrhaging money loosing money making a slight loss in a negative profit situation and therefore is having to cut back on more frivolous items like business trips, expense account and staff. Falling, as I do, into the latter category I was delighted to lean that my position is ‘at risk’. Basically this means that, unless I find another role within the organisation in 2 weeks they’re going to serve notice and I will, one month later, become one of the great unwashed placing a strain on our great nation and, therefore, by my own rules, first in line for shooting. Given the number of people who are facing involuntary separation from payroll it’s unlikely I’ll find anything in the two weeks, but I have my best people working on it (oh, and Jas 
). If there is a job out there to be had I’ll find out about it.
In the mean time work have kindly allowed me to stay at home during the two week consultation period so I may concentrate on securing a new role within the organisation. This has nothing to do with the fact they’re worried that we, the soon to be unemployed, will do something stupid and try to damage their systems and everything to do with them caring about us as individuals. Should I not find a role during the consultation period I will not be required to come into the office during my notice period, again, no doubt worded in a way that has nothing to do with them worrying about me going postal 
So, what does this mean for me. Well, either I get a few days off that I wasn’t banking on, lounge around in the sun, go to a few interviews and generally have a relaxing time of things before starting a new job in a new department…
or…
I get 6 weeks paid holiday, handed a chunk of money (hopefully a rather large chunk, there will be bitching, bitterness, bile, resentment, ranting and so on and so forth if it isn’t) and then spend a quantity of time finding a new job while generally relaxing and having a bit of a sabbatical. It is, after all, the beginning of summer. I have a number of projects I’d like to work on at home, I could get fit, chase CBT (who does, unfortunately work when I used to be free - now I’ll be free when she is ) and look for a job at my leisure. In three months time (less if I get bored) I’ll start looking for a new job in earnest. I need to get, and look at the figures, but I think I’ll be fine for 9 months. After that it gets a bit grim. I honestly expect to be back in work in 3-6 months, possibly less.
Now, to answer the concerns:
Yes, it’s a slap in the face and was a bit crappy, but if it’s got to happen now is a good a time as any.
No, I’m not overly worried (at the moment). This is one of the few times in my life when I can take a sizable chunk of time off without having to worry about saving for it. I’m really looking forward to a nice long relaxing time and if I do find a job quickly then I’ll have stack loads of money in the savings account for next time
Yes, the market is shite at the moment but it’ll sort itself out, I don’t have to find something right this instant and I do have rather a lot of experience. This kind of thing is very much in the nature of the industry I am in and to have lasted 9 years is not too bad. The norm is more usually 2 years (either due to being pushed or going somewhere else)
Yes, I do accept charitable donations. Even if you can only give a few grand a week it’ll all help.
Yes, I’m fine
Oh, and I’m still going out on Friday, but more on that in a bit.
So, erm… yes. Living in interesting times
bummer dude
don’t leave it too long though. It gets harder to get back into the working mood as time goes on.
Sort out your CVs (you’ll need more than one), send them out, give yourself choices.
Send one my way, we may actually be hiring in some places.
Don’t waste time on Powershell
Well I’m going to learn CSS, redo the themes for all my sites and become an unpaid professional photographer for the time while I’m off so I won’t get out of the work thing entirely. As to not leaving it too long, to be honest I’ve been looking forward to having a long break for a while. You did it, don’t see why I can’t
Still, not going to pass up any jobs if they come my way so my CV will be doing the rounds in the morrow.
Nine years? Probably a good time to do something else then anyway
Make sure you have a decent break, you probably need it to recharge the old batteries!
Well, assuming I don’t find anything internally, I’m still employed for 6 weeks which constitutes a long break, and that makes the assumption that I walk out of one job into another. I suspect the break will be longer than that. Not too long though
With you on this one, given the being caught in the same axe swinging that you were. Still terms are a little less generous here, 2 weeks to find a job, then a payout and that’s it. Oh and if I don’t find a job with the old firm in 24 days then kicked out of the US
yay for investment banks, at least they pay well to compensate for this sort of thing I suppose.
Yup, I do not envy your current situation Des. At least all I need to do is find a new job in the next 3-9 months. Will need to check in over the next few days and find out just how brutal it was and who else got canned.