Fuck my life...
I'm setting about for another pity party here - just a forewarning.
Yesterday, I was fired from my job. Probably the first time I'd ever been truly fired from a job - in the past, it's been a "layoff" or as one situation occurred, I was let go for the most asinine (and forgettable) of reasons after 2 weeks.
This time, it was justifiable. I'd hit a 7 year bump, where I was getting frustrated, burned out and really starting to dread going to work in the morning. Unfortunately, I let it all carry over to my work. Instead of you know, being smart about it and finding some other way to deal with it. Shit was falling behind, I was lagging on turn-arounds for things and in turn, my clients were asking for new account agents.
So I was given the news - "We're sorry, but we're terminating your employment. Please turn in your keycard and let me (boss) know of anything that needs to be done that hasn't been entered in the system." I was also given my last paycheck, the balance of my un-used vacation time, and my portion of a 'phantom stock' investment.
After I'd sorted out my desk - packed up what I needed, threw out what I didn't, left things for people to take as their own - I took my things to the reception area and was given $20 for a cab home. A couple of co-workers told me that they knew something better would come along (it could just be what you tell someone in that kind of situation - but I'd like to think so); the receptionist and I commiserated about how there would no longer be any "Trust No One/Big Sister" manager BS to deal with.
And I was a smart girl - I grabbed up all of the business cards for my insurance company contacts, so I can talk to them and let them know that while I'm no longer at the agency - I am looking for work, and the local (SF) people could probably assist me with a lead; and the more distant people could probably offer references.
Still, even though I knew it would be coming at some point, it does hurt like all get-out. I was worried about telling Kellie - feeling embarrassed, ashamed, and like a failure. Like I would be made to feel as though I were a failure and a fuck-up. That I'm no good anymore or something, I know better, how could I have been so stupid, etc. (It probably goes back to when I was younger, and I would feel that kind of shame and embarrassment over bringing home bad grades from school.)
Instead, she did the opposite. She listened to me, put up with my crying and telling her exactly why I was afraid to tell her what happened with my being let go. From there, we started discussing what to do with getting things on track again - filing for unemployment; working on getting a resume written; re-arranging the Christmas plans - since the money I have has been re-allocated, and jobs in December are incredibly scarce; cleaning the house - there may be things that can be sold on Craigslist, eBay, or to Used Record or Bookstores... maybe even have a sidewalk sale.
Of course, there's also things like editing my Tumblr (taking out the Art for Adults blog, and slash-y posts that I liked) ... possibly making my Twitter friends-only again, and the same for the LJ. Just little things when the job search starts up, to make me more "employer-friendly".
Keeping up with continuing insurance education and webinars, so I don't lose my mind entirely. :)
Now, I get the humiliation of telling my family - blood relatives and the in-laws. Co-workers know by now, and I'm sure that the few I'm friends with on Facebook may say something to me.... who knows.
Yesterday, I was fired from my job. Probably the first time I'd ever been truly fired from a job - in the past, it's been a "layoff" or as one situation occurred, I was let go for the most asinine (and forgettable) of reasons after 2 weeks.
This time, it was justifiable. I'd hit a 7 year bump, where I was getting frustrated, burned out and really starting to dread going to work in the morning. Unfortunately, I let it all carry over to my work. Instead of you know, being smart about it and finding some other way to deal with it. Shit was falling behind, I was lagging on turn-arounds for things and in turn, my clients were asking for new account agents.
So I was given the news - "We're sorry, but we're terminating your employment. Please turn in your keycard and let me (boss) know of anything that needs to be done that hasn't been entered in the system." I was also given my last paycheck, the balance of my un-used vacation time, and my portion of a 'phantom stock' investment.
After I'd sorted out my desk - packed up what I needed, threw out what I didn't, left things for people to take as their own - I took my things to the reception area and was given $20 for a cab home. A couple of co-workers told me that they knew something better would come along (it could just be what you tell someone in that kind of situation - but I'd like to think so); the receptionist and I commiserated about how there would no longer be any "Trust No One/Big Sister" manager BS to deal with.
And I was a smart girl - I grabbed up all of the business cards for my insurance company contacts, so I can talk to them and let them know that while I'm no longer at the agency - I am looking for work, and the local (SF) people could probably assist me with a lead; and the more distant people could probably offer references.
Still, even though I knew it would be coming at some point, it does hurt like all get-out. I was worried about telling Kellie - feeling embarrassed, ashamed, and like a failure. Like I would be made to feel as though I were a failure and a fuck-up. That I'm no good anymore or something, I know better, how could I have been so stupid, etc. (It probably goes back to when I was younger, and I would feel that kind of shame and embarrassment over bringing home bad grades from school.)
Instead, she did the opposite. She listened to me, put up with my crying and telling her exactly why I was afraid to tell her what happened with my being let go. From there, we started discussing what to do with getting things on track again - filing for unemployment; working on getting a resume written; re-arranging the Christmas plans - since the money I have has been re-allocated, and jobs in December are incredibly scarce; cleaning the house - there may be things that can be sold on Craigslist, eBay, or to Used Record or Bookstores... maybe even have a sidewalk sale.
Of course, there's also things like editing my Tumblr (taking out the Art for Adults blog, and slash-y posts that I liked) ... possibly making my Twitter friends-only again, and the same for the LJ. Just little things when the job search starts up, to make me more "employer-friendly".
Keeping up with continuing insurance education and webinars, so I don't lose my mind entirely. :)
Now, I get the humiliation of telling my family - blood relatives and the in-laws. Co-workers know by now, and I'm sure that the few I'm friends with on Facebook may say something to me.... who knows.