Does this look like the face of a person who got laid off? Well as of December 1, 2008, the law firm I was practicing with officially dissolved, in large part due to the economy. This was not a small firm by any measure--it was an AmLaw 100, national firm with hundreds of lawyers and many more staff. But it collapsed, and people, including yours truly, were notified a few weeks before Thanksgiving that they would be jobless at the end of the month. I have NEVER been let go. And honestly, generally when I hear that 10,000 people have lost their jobs at some big company--I shake my head and say, "That's a shame." I never envisioned that I would be one of those faceless joes left out in the cold. It was frightening and nerve-wracking. And even though it was through no fault of mine, I was embarrassed.
Thankfully, I was only jobless for about 2 and a half weeks before the labor group that I practice with found another firm for us to relocate to and I officially went back to the grind this week. I can honestly say that I learned a lot--that you can't take anything for granted, save as much as you can, etc. More importantly, I'll feel a lot more empathy when some big faceless corporation announces cutbacks.
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10 comments:
Wow, I must say that it pays to be favored. Girl, you have been abundantly blessed and you would have found something else anyway.
You seem to be resilient and hardworking. You would have been grinding regardless.
Working in print media, this has been a horrible time for us too and it's getting worse. I've dodged two layoffs in the last year. A couple of my friends have been laid off and I can't imagine what I would do if I was.
Thanks Smarty! You are right. Blessed and highly favored. Yesterday when they issued the press release, an older Black woman came into my office and said she had prayed us there after she saw one of my bosses in the half during negotiations. Strangers praying for me? Favor.
Hey Chica, I am thankful that you are back in the ranks of the employed! As far as I'm concerned, no need to feel embarrassed when you are amongst friends. Let that be an emotion that someone else carries. Like you said, this was no fault of yours! Let's all look forward! You know, of course, we'll have to toast this good news! (: Love ya chica!!!
Wow girl! Good for you for hanging tough and getting right back on your feet! No job is truly safe right now, and I feel blessed just to be amongst the working :) Happy holidays!
Congrats on landing a new position so quickly. I was laid off Sept 5th and have been looking hard ever since. Guess I'll have to wait till after the new year at this point.
WELCOME BACK!!
I'm sorry to hear that SD. I'm praying that '09 is better for you and an opportunity opens up for you soon.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
True Favor!! I"m so glad things worked out for the best.
glad you back on your feet ma. seeing as how you are a lawyer you may be interested in why you and so many others are, and still losing jobs. You can google a movie by Aaron Russo.. Freedom To Fascism, it has some ideas and thoughts on why we are so jacked up.
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