OK, I admit it. When my employer died I wasn’t pleased to become a member of this club. I was stunned, hurt and really, really pissed off. The collapse was a tragedy for many and unthinkable on a personal level. I got handed the same empty box as the guy down the hall, the one who burned calories by snoring. How could this happen? I busted my butt to get this job, the jewel of my resume, the envy of my friends. My ego went into shock, followed quickly by my finances.
When the next company I worked for died, I raised my eyebrows, recognized the irony, and help my fellow job-losers cope. My first hellish experience had taught me a lot: most importantly that it wasn’t the end of the world. Yes, it was tough dealing with the stress, fear and pain. That old saying was true:
“When one door closes another opens but being in the hallway sucks.”
However, I came through it, as did many others who have ended up far better than before. You can do it too. Believe me, you’ll eventually be able to look back at this without your blood pressure spiking, and possibly even smirk at how much you mourned losing what then looked like the best job that would ever come your way.
How big is The Dead Company Club membership? Big. Really big. In 2008 there were 250,000 new members. So far in 2009, we have over 40,000 by my somewhat unscientific count. It’s a huge group if you go back far enough and consider more of the big companies that have cratered. The Memorial Garden lists only a few. Feel free to send the obituary of any we’ve missed.
This blog is dedicated to those who are struggling with the loss of their employer, no matter how long ago. I hope you’ll tell us your stories, hilarious or sad. Many of us have probably had similar experiences. Defend your company if you want, spew on them, or ask for help. For those that have made it through, we hope you’ll add your experiences. In the meantime, we’ll try to keep it real, but we can’t promise anything.
Welcome to The Club!
Randy Wright // Feb 27, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Greetings fellow “losers”, of JOBS, of course! Just because we spent the better part of our lives making these Huge Company’s CEO’s and Management rich beyond OUR wildest dreams, never knowing what the F*^K was going on “upstairs” ’till it was too late, WE are NOT losers!!
We will carry on Brothers and Sisters!
As for me, I was laid off from United Rentals, the largest equipment rental company in North America because the “board” had decided to sell for $8 Billion to Cyburus (I think that’s the name) they own Home Depot, Chrysler, and some others. They started laying us off to reduce the payroll and make United better than it was, then, guess what? Cyburus bailed out!
Oh well, what’s a few thousand people’s job worth? Their homes, cars, food, utilities? NO big deal!
My youngest daughter worked for Merrill-Lynch since graduating Georgetown in 2001, surviving 9/11 in Building 4, then B of A takes over and her whole department is Gone! Poof! $200,000.00 education, now looking for work in a field that has all but closed down. 29 years old, brilliant, and hosting at an NYC ‘eatery” that will probably be closing because no one can afford the place!
But I digress.
I have started my own Internet Marketing business and am doing quite well, Thank you.
If any of you find yourself looking for a way to make a living, keep your home, feed the kids, contact me. Even if you don’t know anything about Internet marketing, don’t let that stop you. I didn’t have a clue. Got “scammed” twice, but with a little luck in finding people to teach me the ropes, my bull-headed attitude, and the Grace of God, I’m doing well. I’m now part of the Team that helped me. Our mission is to help people just like you and me, make it. It’s NOT hard. In fact, with our economy in the toilet, people are really looking at home business as an alternative to “the grind”.
Anyway, thanks for starting this site. As the saying goes “misery loves company” and everybody that has been or is, where we have been, needs a place to “RANT”.
Thanks again!
Randy Wright
imRandyWright@gmail.com
Laurie Phillips // Mar 30, 2009 at 4:34 am
It always seems like the human side of company failures goes unseen. There might be a brief media report – and I mean brief – and that’s it. I’m hoping to uncover some of the real stories, both lows and highs, that the media misses. It’s not all about the CEO, the shareholders, the Board or the competition. We’ve heard those stories, the lies, the speculation, the trial by media. Yawn. Let’s get to the important part: the people.
Dave Gardner // Mar 15, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Wow! Great Blog! I’ve had the destinction of going through a bunch of “failed companies”… nice jobs, nice folks, but didn’t see freight train coming at us from the other end of the tunnel. Ascent Logic Corporation. Verilink Corporation. Dana Software. And a few more… *sigh*
I’m freelancing as a *contract* tech editor-writer at the moment. Although it isn’t as secure as a “staff” position, in reality it’s *more secure*–because at least I’m aware of the start and end of the contract time commitment.
If you or someone you know needs documentation edited or rewritten in U.S. oriented English by a native U.S. speaker of English (but who can handle various foreign languages as well), you are welcome to contact me to discuss these needs further.
Nice post–it reflects my sentiments precisely. It’s good to have a place to rant about the current situation.
And, now, I must get back to work. Visit my website if you’d like more information.
Laurie Phillips // Mar 30, 2009 at 4:50 am
I like your site. Good thoughts. I’m going to add your failed companies to the Memorial Garden. I’m sorry to add so many though.
Working in high tech used to be a strong advantage in finding a replacement job. It’s still a plus but it’s been weakened by the heavy emphasis on contracting. I’ve contracted too but I couldn’t get too enthused about it. I took pride in what I did but it was still just something to pay the bills.
I worked for a very large, well-known company that didn’t view contract dates as a commitment. This cut both ways: I was brought in on a 6-month contract and after 9 months asked what their intent was because they hadn’t said anything. In other cases they cut people as soon as they could, irrespective of contract duration. They were never ugly about it – they actually gave contractors 2-4 weeks notice – but a 12-month contract didn’t really mean beans.
I wonder if other people have experienced the same thing or was this just a loosely run operation?