How to win enemies and influence nothing.
@JadePlatypus (234)
Australia
September 27, 2017 10:22pm CST
It's been a long time since I posted here. MyLot is a pretty good place to talk about things though.
6 weeks ago, myself and the other 80 people that I work with (including my husband) were told that the company had been sold, and every single person would be made redundant.
We were told that the new owner, who successfully runs a similar business in a different town may re-employ 10 people for the short term, but no guarantee.
All of us were shocked; and in our smallish town, most have begun to look looking for other work. Some, such as my husband, are close to retirement age, so finding a job is not easy.
Some, including myself, looked at going back to school to re-train for a different career. I enrolled for 2 different courses, one starting in a couple of weeks, and one in January 2018, and I applied for 2 jobs.
Word got around last week. The new owner was coming on the Thursday to approach those he wanted to re-employ. Rumours, rumours, gossip, gossip. Who was going to be asked to stay? And why?
Sure enough, the new owner came, and approached those he wanted to stay. There were no full-time jobs, only 3 days per week for 10 people, for a few months.
I was one of the ones asked to stay and let me tell you, myLot friends, what a torrent of hate that has unleashed, not only for me, but for the others asked to stay on.
I've had 'friends' on social media unfriend me, I have been sworn at when I approached someone for help. I've had people who I have to work with totally ignore me.
My husband is hurt, he himself cannot understand why I was chosen and not he, particularly, (in his words) my 'annoying outspokenness'. My boss also thinks I have done some sneaky thing behind her back, and my work-mates don't even speak to me unless they have to.
'Why her' I hear them ask each other, 'why not me, why not her, why not him? Why HER! '
I don't know why, except the criteria for choice was that the new owner wanted those who were prepared to be flexible, to learn new skills, to move to new departments, or those who were multi- skilled.
I am happy, I like the way the new owner thinks, I like the way he operates his business.
All I want today, is to express how sad I feel for the lost mate-ship. I know that if they'd been offered a position, and not me, I would be very happy for them.
I understand that all those people are hurting, it's a hard time for everyone, but to have worked with these people for 20 years and then try to deal with the loss of those workplace friendships...........well, I guess I am finding it hard.
My 'new' job starts next week. I will feel better after that I suppose.
Thanks for listening.
3 people like this
4 responses
@Behindtheguitarbar (2831)
• Guangdong, China
28 Sep 17
rumors and gossip intrigue in workplace happen everywhere.
2 people like this
@m_audrey6788 (58472)
• Germany
28 Sep 17
Hi there! I experienced that along time ago and made me to resign for I felt so bad that others was not selected but don`t mind them they will understand it in time just keep going on and think that everything will be ok. Good luck and wish you all the best
1 person likes this
@JadePlatypus (234)
• Australia
29 Sep 17
Yes I have wondered if I will find it easier to resign. I will wait and see. I'll grow a thicker skin, and look at my options in a few months. Glad to know I am not the only one.
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58472)
• Germany
29 Sep 17
@JadePlatypus No don`t resign for the reason of feeling bad about others but think of your own happiness because whether you resign or not those people whom you worked with for a long time will still feel bad about not being selected which has nothing to do with you. I may have resigned because of that feeling but then I realized it was all wrong for they also don`t care as they want to have their own way of living. Just go and prove yourself that it was a good choice choosing you. Good luck and wish you all the best
@JadePlatypus (234)
• Australia
1 Oct 17
@m_audrey6788 Thank you for that. You have no idea how comforting your words are to me. Not only knowing that someone else has experienced this, but also that they know how I feel. Much appreciated.
1 person likes this
@JadePlatypus (234)
• Australia
28 Sep 17
That is correct Judy. I understand how they felt, but it was not my 'fault' that I was chosen and not they. I do recognise how bad they must have felt, I too expected that I would be one of those not asked. I would not, however, treat someone I had worked with badly just because I felt hurt. I would feel happy for them.
@JudyEv (342112)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Oct 18
I missed this at the time and it seems this was your last post for almost 12 months. You were gone so long I 'unfriended' you too but I've fixed that now. It's good to see your name appearing again. I hope the last 12 months haven't been too horrendous. Welcome back.