Sammo
Well-Known Member
Strange how a small story can create a big impression.
A while back I read this on the internet and it has changed my life
………….
Some days the sunrise just isn’t enough
5.00 am and here I am, unable to sleep and unable to get motivated to do anything.
The sun will rise soon and I'm simply not interested in taking my coffee out to watch it. This is not like me, normally the first light of day lifts my spirits and gives me new cause to live but not today.
I got retrenched on Tuesday.
In April 2002 I was working for the biggest Telco in Australia with a sensational salary and all the benefits. I had just received my annual Performance Bonus along with a letter telling me that I was doing a great job. Then out of the blue, on 5th April (my birthday), I was called into the conference room and informed that, "due to an internal restructure, the position of Applications Development and Support Manager no longer exists". Bye now!
It took me 8 months to find another job, I had to sell my house and move from Melbourne to Brisbane. I lost about $80K in the process. My 18 year old son refused to come with us because his entire life was in Melbourne.
I got a job in Brisbane as IS Manager for one of the Trading Post group of companies and it was the best job I have ever had. Initially a family run company, it had grown but not lost the caring supportive atmosphere that good family run companies have. I excelled in the new role and thought all my Christmases had come at once. I even tried to forgive the nasty big Telco for destroying my life in 2002.
Then, in March 2004, the nasty big Telco purchased the Trading Post group.
On Wednesday afternoon I was called into the conference room and informed that, "due to an internal restructure, the position of Information Services Manager, Queensland no longer exists". Bye now!
They also retrenched the General Manager (my boss and one of the nicest blokes you'll ever meet) and the Outbound Sales manager. In all, 7 of the 10 Managers that were there when I started have either left or been "exited" - that's a nasty big Telco word for "managing someone out of the business".
I didn't go quietly I must admit. When asked if I had anything to say, I reminded them of the personal consequences of their previous actions and expressed amazement at the fact that they can sleep at night . I raised my voice, left before being dismissed and slammed the door on the way out.
Yesterday I refused to go back into work for a "Farewell Luncheon". This is a nasty big Telco strategy aimed at minimising the damage to other staff, it goes like this:
"We're all here today to say goodbye to Red and thank him for all the great work he's done. We have a small token of our appreciation (gives pen) and would like Red to say a few words."
Red: "Thanks NBT, I've really enjoyed working with you all and wish you all the best for the future. I know that the changes that are taking place are for the benefit of the Company and urge you all to support NBT as I would in your place."
No feckin' way!
They left messages on my answering machine expressing how important they felt it was that I come in and say goodbye to all my workmates, the few who are left that is. They appear to have absolutely no appreciation of the humanitarian impact of their business decisions. I'm 51, have a mortgage and 2 children under 6. IT management positions are hard to get any time let alone when you face the Grey Ceiling.
There are moments when I feel like getting a gun and blowing a few people away.
There are moments when I feel like emailing a suicide note to all the staff and then driving off a bridge - that'd show 'em.
And there are moments when I feel free.
So here I sit, demotivated, unemployed and poor.
……………………………………………….
The above story shows that when it comes to shaping your life the only one you can trust is yourself,
Tomorrow I have the man coming round to value my house, at age 61 I have another 4 years till I can draw my pension but I don`t care, I`m off, I will give my kids the business and buy a smaller house, sell my MObo and buy my dream boat a Nauticat 44 which we will live on during the winter in the med.
Any suggestions please, as to where, and how much for moorings and running costs ect?
The rent from my house and my factory unit should give me enough to live on till my pension kicks in in 4 years time. I don`t want to circle the globe I just want to go and sail where it`s sunny and they think corgi is a little dog.
Wish me luck.
.........
A while back I read this on the internet and it has changed my life
………….
Some days the sunrise just isn’t enough
5.00 am and here I am, unable to sleep and unable to get motivated to do anything.
The sun will rise soon and I'm simply not interested in taking my coffee out to watch it. This is not like me, normally the first light of day lifts my spirits and gives me new cause to live but not today.
I got retrenched on Tuesday.
In April 2002 I was working for the biggest Telco in Australia with a sensational salary and all the benefits. I had just received my annual Performance Bonus along with a letter telling me that I was doing a great job. Then out of the blue, on 5th April (my birthday), I was called into the conference room and informed that, "due to an internal restructure, the position of Applications Development and Support Manager no longer exists". Bye now!
It took me 8 months to find another job, I had to sell my house and move from Melbourne to Brisbane. I lost about $80K in the process. My 18 year old son refused to come with us because his entire life was in Melbourne.
I got a job in Brisbane as IS Manager for one of the Trading Post group of companies and it was the best job I have ever had. Initially a family run company, it had grown but not lost the caring supportive atmosphere that good family run companies have. I excelled in the new role and thought all my Christmases had come at once. I even tried to forgive the nasty big Telco for destroying my life in 2002.
Then, in March 2004, the nasty big Telco purchased the Trading Post group.
On Wednesday afternoon I was called into the conference room and informed that, "due to an internal restructure, the position of Information Services Manager, Queensland no longer exists". Bye now!
They also retrenched the General Manager (my boss and one of the nicest blokes you'll ever meet) and the Outbound Sales manager. In all, 7 of the 10 Managers that were there when I started have either left or been "exited" - that's a nasty big Telco word for "managing someone out of the business".
I didn't go quietly I must admit. When asked if I had anything to say, I reminded them of the personal consequences of their previous actions and expressed amazement at the fact that they can sleep at night . I raised my voice, left before being dismissed and slammed the door on the way out.
Yesterday I refused to go back into work for a "Farewell Luncheon". This is a nasty big Telco strategy aimed at minimising the damage to other staff, it goes like this:
"We're all here today to say goodbye to Red and thank him for all the great work he's done. We have a small token of our appreciation (gives pen) and would like Red to say a few words."
Red: "Thanks NBT, I've really enjoyed working with you all and wish you all the best for the future. I know that the changes that are taking place are for the benefit of the Company and urge you all to support NBT as I would in your place."
No feckin' way!
They left messages on my answering machine expressing how important they felt it was that I come in and say goodbye to all my workmates, the few who are left that is. They appear to have absolutely no appreciation of the humanitarian impact of their business decisions. I'm 51, have a mortgage and 2 children under 6. IT management positions are hard to get any time let alone when you face the Grey Ceiling.
There are moments when I feel like getting a gun and blowing a few people away.
There are moments when I feel like emailing a suicide note to all the staff and then driving off a bridge - that'd show 'em.
And there are moments when I feel free.
So here I sit, demotivated, unemployed and poor.
……………………………………………….
The above story shows that when it comes to shaping your life the only one you can trust is yourself,
Tomorrow I have the man coming round to value my house, at age 61 I have another 4 years till I can draw my pension but I don`t care, I`m off, I will give my kids the business and buy a smaller house, sell my MObo and buy my dream boat a Nauticat 44 which we will live on during the winter in the med.
Any suggestions please, as to where, and how much for moorings and running costs ect?
The rent from my house and my factory unit should give me enough to live on till my pension kicks in in 4 years time. I don`t want to circle the globe I just want to go and sail where it`s sunny and they think corgi is a little dog.
Wish me luck.
.........
