Bad news today.

[turbov6joe]

My pop got called into his boss' office yesterday and was told that due to corporate downsizing he was no longer needed....he only had a few years left until he could retire. Now at age 58.5 he has to start all over again and that's not going to be easy. The worst part is that my mom has a lot of health problems and needs insurance for them to survive financially...ya think they could have let him have a month or two to find another gig or wait till after the holidays at least The only good news is that his new motor should be ready to drop in next week but the lack of a job kinda takes the excitement away from that even.

Anyhow, not looking for a pitty party, just some words of encouragement for him.

 

[John Larkin]

I am very sorry to hear about this; sounds like a raw deal. I am hopeful someone will pickup his experience and him benefit even more greatly than what he had.

 

[turbo2nr]

That really sucks.

I thought my job was safe, but now, Dentists are sending work out to China for cheap teeth. I make ceramic teeth/implants, etc. It seems computers and cheap labor are a big threat to most all jobs in the US. Next, we'll see police and government jobs go over seas to keep up with all the outsourcing. How funny would that be? I can see it now.

My Grandfather is 97 and going strong. People live much longer now days. Does that help any??

 

[FlyinGN]

Sorry to hear Joe...... I have seen it over and over. Why do they let people go around the Holidays???? Tell your Dad that we are pulling for him.. He will find something. Im sure.. He has lots of experience.. Tell you Mom we have been asking about her too.

 

[UNDER-PRESSURE]

That stinks!! I think it's time for the ol' slip & fall on company time. hahaha. I truely hope everything works out OK & your family as a HAPPY Holiday Season anyway. A little boost for dad is what the doctor has prescribed.

 

[cruzn57]

I know the feeling well !

week and a half ago, I DID work for a city, they called me into the conference room, said they were out sourcing our maintenance, don't need you any more, thats it, 2 seconds notice, $60k yr, no more! and yea, I'm 57 yrs old, their keeping a younger guy, ( alot less $$$) so I think I'll cause some stress with the legal dept, maybe make sure their job is needed. LOL.
sorry I can't give any good advice, and being mad won't help, I wish you and your family the best, and hope your Pops can find something to get them through this rough spot.

cruzn57

 

[WHEEZER]

He is not the only one if it makes you feel any better. My company moved to China last year leaving me job hunting at age 56. I really thought I'd retire there too. Not being exactly "debt free" it was a little scary to face. I had one option...go job hunting and pick up the pieces. Best of luck to him for sure.

 

[turbov6joe]

The worst part about this is that prior to all this going down his boss made reference to his age more then a couple of times. He also told my dad that he needed to learn Spanish real quick. Seems that this company (Deluxe Checks) is wanting to hire low cost labor and needs a Spanish speaking manager. Guess what, about 2 weeks ago they hired a Spanish speaking "manager in training" who is quite a bit younger...I'd bet any money that guy takes my dad's job. Here in KC we have a lot of Mexicans that come up on the trains and jump ship. Some are legal but MOST are illegal...we deal with Immiagration all of the time. I would imagine that before too long others at that company will be pushed out as well.

It's a real bitch when a person gets forced out of a job because they don't speak another language other than English.

 

[Little6pack]

THAT SUKS. It happed to me yesterday after 6 years with company. I am 47 and thinking complete career change from computers.

 

[Grumpy]

THAT SUKS. It happed to me yesterday after 6 years with company. I am 47 and thinking complete career change from computers.

its just not computers ... its all jobs ... my wife left Verizon a few years ago when they had a buyout ... good thing she did

 

[tom h]

The worst part about this is that prior to all this going down his boss made reference to his age more then a couple of times. ....

http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/age.html

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age. The ADEA's protections apply to both employees and job applicants. Under the ADEA, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person because of his/her age with respect to any term, condition, or privilege of employment -- including, but not limited to, hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments, and training.
It is also unlawful to retaliate against an individual for opposing employment practices that discriminate based on age or for filing an age discrimination charge, testifying, or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or litigation under the ADEA.
The ADEA applies to employers with 20 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labor organizations, as well as to the federal government.

Having said that, my understanding is that age-discimination claims are hard to win, and can be expensive to litigate.

Your dad should waste no time in applying for state unemployment benefits.

Most larger companies (and I don't know if that applies here) will offer severance payments, if the layoff was due to general "reduction in force" or "cost reductions" as opposed to dismissal for poor behaviour or performance. Severance varies from 1-2 weeks per year of service, but no standards apply).

The federal "COBRA" law mandates that laregr employees continue to offer health insurance to laid off employees, BUT at the full, unsubsidized price. Still cheaper than buying helath insurance on your own. Interuption sin health insurance can be very messy, as then the next employer's health insurance plan could assert "pre exisitng conditions, coverage denied".

if you have lawyer in the family, or can afford to consult one, now may be the time.

 

[tom h]

While it's mostly geared to executives and middle-to-upper managers, the Wall Street Journal's "Career Journal" web site is a very good general resource.

While I don't know if it would be directly applicable to your dad's predicament, there is a still lots of useful information.

Example: CareerJournal | How to Negotiate A Fair Severance Package

 

[jdsgnx]

Joe words can not describe how hurt I feel for your family right now.

please let me know if there is anything my family can do for you.

I will give you a call later.

So sorry JD:frown:

 

[Martin U]

Welcome to my world!! I'm sorry to hear that anyone loses a job in this country these days. I have been a tool & diemaker for 25+ yrs. Building mostly outer class A body skins for the big 3. I am proud to say I even built 3 of the dies for our beloved GN's. I worked for the largest private die shop in the country.....Untill outsourscing. That is why it PISSES ME OFF to read all the debating about chinese this and that. Just to save a few bucks. I can tell you this that forien steel isnt the same, no matter what the spec sheets say!
It's about JOBS!! It makes no differance to me, I can not buy any parts and pieces of anything with out a job. I just need to look past my nose to see what buying that outsoursed crap is costing me. IF we had jobs we all could buy AMERICAN and make MORE jobs HERE so we could afford to spend it here and keep our dollard HERE in the US. Rant over...........
Mart Urbanski

 

[FlyinGN]

amen buddy!!

Welcome to my world!! I'm sorry to hear that anyone loses a job in this country these days. I have been a tool & diemaker for 25+ yrs. Building mostly outer class A body skins for the big 3. I am proud to say I even built 3 of the dies for our beloved GN's. I worked for the largest private die shop in the country.....Untill outsourscing. That is why it PISSES ME OFF to read all the debating about chinese this and that. Just to save a few bucks. I can tell you this that forien steel isnt the same, no matter what the spec sheets say!
It's about JOBS!! It makes no differance to me, I can not buy any parts and pieces of anything with out a job. I just need to look past my nose to see what buying that outsoursed crap is costing me. IF we had jobs we all could buy AMERICAN and make MORE jobs HERE so we could afford to spend it here and keep our dollard HERE in the US. Rant over...........
Mart Urbanski

 

[Quiky One]

The worst part about this is that prior to all this going down his boss made reference to his age more then a couple of times. He also told my dad that he needed to learn Spanish real quick. Seems that this company (Deluxe Checks) is wanting to hire low cost labor and needs a Spanish speaking manager. Guess what, about 2 weeks ago they hired a Spanish speaking "manager in training" who is quite a bit younger...I'd bet any money that guy takes my dad's job. Here in KC we have a lot of Mexicans that come up on the trains and jump ship. Some are legal but MOST are illegal...we deal with Immiagration all of the time. I would imagine that before too long others at that company will be pushed out as well.

It's a real bitch when a person gets forced out of a job because they don't speak another language other than English.

I think there is a 35% mexican rate at my school. I hate how they come here, drop out, blame the teachers for not GIVING them the answers, and disrupt class. And it seems more come everyday.

Jason

 

[Gary Wells]

Joe:
My heart goes out to not only your dad, but anybody that has ever gone through this, or anything similiar. I will say this much in general, though: If he was laid off and able to collect unemployment benefits, be at least thankful for that. I have worked in aerospace virtually all of my life, other than about a 8 year span, and over the last 15 years, I have seen and know of more unlawful firings than I care to think about. It seems to me that once a company has decided that a person must go, they will try and fire 1st and lay-off 2nd. Sometimes things have a way of working out for the best and I hope that this is one of them. Fwiw, companies generally lay off just prior to holidays to save the holiday pay. It does sound like you dad got the short end of the stick. Hope that all works out fou you & your family.

 

[Cheeseburger]

I am enjoying my christmas bonus on my second month of being laid off.
When there busy in the summer they want you to bust your balls, when it's slow......get lost and collect unemployment and will call ya when we need you.

 

[turbojimmy]

Well I know where I won't be buying my checks from.

My company whacked a bunch of people recently, too. Notified 11/30, off payroll on 12/29. Pretty crappy this time of year. Going to do it again early next year they say.

What's scary is that my health benefits costs have doubled every year for the past 3 years. This year they had a 'tool' so you could see what kind of 'value' you were getting from your insurance. With a click of the mouse you could see how much you've paid and how much the company has paid toward your health care. Now tell me there aren't bean counters at the company that don't look at the same information......mom's sick, dad's getting up there in age......pretty crappy.

Jim

 

[turbov6joe]

Update

Dad's spirits are high and he has hit the ground running looking for another gig...even if it's just something to pay the bills until "the job" finds him or he it. The worst part about this is he's already mentioned selling the GN if things get REALLY bad....I would hate to see that happen! Anyhow, thanks to all who offered kind words and advice, he appreciates it.

BTW, dad is going to speak with his attorney about the entire matter and see what he thinks.