Wednesday, April 8, 2009

What Would You Do?

If you got laid off, and they called you to come back, would you?

A little background on my job:
I'm a chem lab technician at a very well known company. I'll defer giving the name at this juncture...but I don't think that will last forever :) They only hire people in as temps (aka: contractors) and then evaluate your performance and then hire you full time. This is what they say to get you in the door. What they really do is hire you as a contractor, never with any intention of hiring you on full time, and you rot away for 2 1/2 years....busting your butt...hoping someday they will see what an asset you are to the company. (Alright...so they did hire 1 person in the 2 1/2 years I have been here...but 1 out of 45...not good odds)

I got promoted after a few months to "lead contractor" (I know...fancy right??) and was put in charge of all of the contractors at our site. I was doing this on top of my lab responsibilities...and when we got up to over 40 contractors we decided to hire someone to take over the job full time. I was completely fine with it. Working in HR (which is essentially what I was doing) was something I was neither trained for nor wanted to do. Listening to grown adults bicker and whine about why they were late that day or how someone gave them a dirty look was NOT FUN! Plus....I developed no sympathy for people, something that, if I think back long and hard, I used to have.

Well, due to the economic climate we are currently experiencing, my company is doing some intense lay offs. Of course, they are ONLY laying off contractors. Don't you think it would be better and more cost efficient to lay off full time associates who totally suck instead of people you don't even pay benefits, make less money, and are good at their jobs? Um, no...I guess not. We are now down to 22 contractors. 22. There are rumors going around that 7-8 more are going this week.

I have been told by a very reliable source that I will be among the last to go if the time comes, but somehow this does not ease my anxiety. I truly think that time will come and I will be out of work. Although this will not have the same impact on my family as it will on others that I work with, I still don't want to lose my job. I'd much rather leave this awful place on my own than be asked to leave. And the whole process of laying people off is just awful. They don't even tell you at work. They call you at home and say don't come in again. You aren't allowed back to even collect your things. Someone would have to go through my desk and my locker and get my stuff for me and I would have to go and pick it up from our temp agency (which is over 45 minutes from my house). Well, by golly, this is not happening to me! I cleaned out my whole desk on Monday and brought everything home. I'm essentially ready for my call...

So my question is: What if they call in a month or so and say they are busy again and want me back? Should I go? I really, truly hate it there...but what if I haven't found another job? What if we miss my paycheck more than we think we will? Could I handle going back to a place that so easily threw me aside? A place with clearly no job security whatsoever?

I'm not sure. What would you do?

19 comments:

d.a.r. said...

Honestly? Sounds like you don't want to be there anyways. I would start looking for a better job now! It seems like it's difficult to get hired at the moment (HA!) so it is best to get a leg up, just in case. And I don't think I'd go back. If I was that disposable in the first place, I'd imagine I would be again...start looking for something you will love!!!

kuhkjhkh said...

I think it depends ... If you are desperate for a job... I'd say take it back but keep looking for something else. Then when you find something else, not only will you be getting paid, you will also have the sweet revenge factor of saying... seeee yyaaaaa! If you don't need the money though, I'd hold off and enjoy the time off while you can!

Jennifer said...

This is a terrible situation. I would go ahead and start looking for a new job. You will probably find something better where you will be more appreciated. I can't believe that you can't even come back in to clean out your desk. That is just rude!

Blue-Eyed Bride said...

this happened to a couple of people i know and am close to and they did go back. they had been looking for employment but were unsuccessful and being employed was important to them, so they did go back to their job.

Olde Town Style Guide said...

If you really are unhappy there and you can find a job somewhere else then I would leave and not look back! Put your resume out there TODAY and see what kind of response you get! Pray about it...see what your heart really says. I think it is very wise to pack up your things though - I would hate to have someone else going through my things!

Lindsey said...

This is so tough. I would go back if I loved the work or wasn't able to find another job I think.

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

that is tough! i might start looking for something else that i would enjoy so much more (but be careful about who I put as a reference=) you might not want your current company to know=)). but if i couldn't find something else and we really needed the money, i'd probably go back.

Baker's Cakes said...

You must be under so much stress right now! Coming home from a job that you WORK hard at and waiting for them to tell you not to come back! That sounds horrible!!! At my husband's job people are escorted to their cars by (I think my husband calls him "Arms") so as not to cause a scene when they are let go! At first, I thought it sounded awful, but then you hear about people being laid off and going (I'm looking for a better term and can't find it)... "postal." You can understand why companies protect themselves and their employees in this way. They could probably prevent such ugliness by letting people go in nice ways, but, what do I know??? That said, you are the only one who can make the decision to go back to this company if the circumstance arises, but it wise advice to put your resume out there now and be on the look out while you are working as a contractor right now! Now, that said, the contractor position sounds, well... crappy and maybe there will be a silver lining in all of this!!! Good Luck!!! Danielle

Mandy Rose said...

Hmmm...that's a tough call. I would try everything not to go back if I hated it. Although, if my lifestyle was missing the moohla...I might suck it up and go back until I found something else. I work in HR at a huge healthcare facility...so I can totally relate to the complainers you deal with.

Lucy Marie said...

Hard choice ... I know in these economic times it's hard to let go of a job when it's offered to you but you also have to have self-respect and not let them toss you around like a pawn. I would second what some others have said and start looking for something new now and hopefully you will find something else before they can tell you goodbye.

Darci White said...

wow, that's a tough one. i think it all really depends on whether you NEED the job or not. if you need the money, then yes. if you can do without it for awhile and hold out a little longer, most definitely wait for something better!

best of luck! hopefully you can find something before that time comes. it make such a huge difference to enjoy your job and respect the company you work for - you'll be so much happier!

Ashley @ {Let Go, Laughing} said...

I so know how it feels to be at a job you don't like/hate as I am there right now. Since I am in that position, I would have to say that I probably wouldn't go back if I am already unhappy with it.

There is no sense in being miserable. If things get down to the point where you really NEED the job, then maybe consider it but otherwise, I'd say start looking for something you can be happy at and like more!

The Shabby Princess said...

I think it all really depends on if/when it happens and how you feel at that time. If you haven't found another job, but need the paycheck, then it would be smart to go back--that doesn't mean you couldn't keep looking for something you actually like, but, especially with the way things are these days, if you had the chance to go back at least for the paycheck, that would probably be smart--but, if you all do fine without the $$, then I say enjoy that, find something you LOVE and be happy. Having a crappy job is the worst!!

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

Last year I took on a job that I thought would be my dream job, as the months progressed, I was literally having breakdowns at work. My boss was less than horrible...I lock myself in the bathroom crying. One morning, I was dealing with more drama from my boss...I finally called my parents, and with their approval I resigned that day. And honestly it was the best decision, I was so glad that I was able to walk away and close that chapter of my life.

It was tough for the first few weeks, but everything worked out for good. :)

All that to say, make the decision that is best for your life! Best wishes... :)

Nessa said...

Tough.. i say stay on while looking for another job, if you find one beforehand then drop them like a bad habit..otherwise i think it would be wise to keep those paychecks rolling in for a bit at this time. :/...just my 2 cents.

{amy k.} said...

clicked over from "shabby princes"...

Job stuff is always tough- you need the money, you need to work...but do you stay even if you don't like it?! Personally, for me, if I can afford not to work a job I hate, I don't. I will work and find something I love. Obviously, I can't be too picky because there will always be something I don't like, but it's important for me to enjoy where I work- a lot of time is spent there! Good luck!

Elyse said...

Sorry I'm so late on posting a comment. I can't believe this situation. Sounds like a complete lack of tact to call people at home and not even let them gather their own belongings. It's bad enough to lay people off, but the manner in which the company is doing this is reprehensible. Usually, I'd be the girl who'd say, don't you dare go back. If they let you go, their loss. But, in reality, if you needed the job and felt you could handle being there day-to-day, it might be worth it to go back. My hope would be that you find an awesome new job and can say stick it to your company :)

Shoshanah said...

I started out at my job as a temp, but I was lucky enough to get hired full time after only a few months. I would definitely say to start looking, but if you haven't found anything and they ask you back, well it just might wind up being worth it.

Teach.Workout.Love said...

I know how you feel... we are doing those at my job too.... I dont know if i would go back. I think if it were absolutely imperative to my financial situation and there was NO other choice --only then would I go back.
Good Luck.