Redundant

[bunsen_h]

Because of the economic downturn, my employer has been cutting back on some things.

One of the things they just cut back on was me.

I wasn't expecting it at all; I was expecting them to do wage rollbacks, work-sharing, reduced work weeks, that kind of thing.  Apparently they're going to be doing that stuff as well, but they're also letting people go, a significant fraction of the employees, and evidently not just the newest ones.  I guess they had to find that difficult balance between "the experience to know how the accumulated kludgery works" and "the higher salaries" or something.

So: I'm looking for work.  Ideally computational chemistry, but I have a varied background in lab chemistry and theoretical chem, plus plenty of years of software work.  I'd appreciate any leads.  Networking is not one of my strengths.

Crap.

Comments

[popelaksmi.livejournal.com]

Wow, I would not have expected that for you either - you have been there a fairly long time! Did they give any kind of indication of maybe re-hiring you when the economy is better?

*sigh* I'm sad this happened to you.

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

They said that the people they're letting go would be welcome back if/when things get better.

I'm a clever problem-solver and an okay programmer. One of my greatest assets to the company was that I'd been there so long, and have a good understanding of how many of the systems work. (That's somewhat moderated by the growing number of systems that are so kludgy that *nobody* understands them, and those that are using new platforms that I don't know anything about.)

One big problem is that many of the company's customers are in the U.S., and their economy is in bad shape. I don't think things will get much better for the company until things improve in the U.S.

[radargrrl.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear this, Joel. I suspect a good deal of this has to do with current 'Buy American' policy that goes with the massive bailout package.

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

It's probably a factor, though apparently the company's American competitors are also having similar problems.

[suelet.livejournal.com]

Oh...hell...
I'm sorry.

I'll keep my ear out, but I doubt there's anything here either...

Only place here which might be hiring in your field is Lakefield Research, http://www.met.sgs.com/

*hug*

[buttongirl.livejournal.com]

Lakefield is a cute walkable town- it is the nearest town to my folks cottage! but hardly a metropolis :-/

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'll take a look. A quick poke suggests that I'm not a good match for their needs, but I'll check them out more carefully.

[buttongirl.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry to hear that this has happened! Yikes!

ON another note, I have no idea about silver maple leaves. Unless there might be small paillettes at Michaels or equivalent, preparing for Canada day. But they would be a glue on, as opposed to sew on option. The size you want is quite small, perhaps getting out your embroidery floss would be the most expedient....

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I tried Michael's a couple of days ago; people at C&M, Fabricland, and Rockland all suggested it. No luck; the only maple-leaf-themes items of any kind in the store are Canada-Day-related, and generally flimsy and non-symmetrical.

Embroidery is one option (especially since I now have more free time :-( ), but my current plan is to paint plain silver buttons with a maple-leaf outline.

[con-girl.livejournal.com]

Oh no! Hugs! I just saw lynch's post - I hope that you got a good severance too.

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

It's significantly more than the statutory requirement, I think. They really didn't want to do anything like firing people.

[o-bunny.livejournal.com]

Hi, will be in touch telephonically soon.

As you know, I've had a *bunch* of experience with layoffs and stuff. I'll be glad to help, help on your resume, etc.

Of course, this coming from the guy who's pretty much given up on high-tech for the relative security of being an itinerant sound guy...

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I've been keeping my resume up to date all along, since I've occasionally checked out potential chemistry-related jobs over the years. All I need to do now is change the "-- Present" to "-- June 2, 2009" on the description of this job.

If being an itinerant sound guy provides you with enough security for your comfort, along with job satisfaction, that's all one can really ask for.

[beable]

Ouches, I'm sorry to hear that.

I don't know any good links, but as always (especially for chemistry things) I'll keep my eye out.

[beable]

I know it sounds silly when we both have friends being let go from NRC< but they do seem to have some chemistry postings other than just the RA ones ...

e.g. Research Officer – Advanced Secondary Battery Development but other listings are here: http://careers-carrieres.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/careers/jobpost.nsf/PostByCityE

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I do check out the NRC and other government postings from time to time (and obviously I'll be more diligent about it now). The usual problem is that they're looking for significant expertise in areas that I know nothing much about. Lithium ion batteries... I'd be happy to start learning about them and doing R&D on them, but I'm not absolutely certain I've ever even used a device powered by them, let alone have papers and patents in the field.

Aw no...

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Joel, I'm sorry. Not sure what I can do to help you out right now, but I'll get back to you ASAP.

Re: Aw no...

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[metalana.livejournal.com]

aw shit!

I hope you are financially OK for a while - something tells me you squirrel it away.

Can't think of any leads right now, but promoting yourself in LJ is good. You've got enough Ottawa friends in software to find something soon.

Hugs!

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

I'm OK financially for some time. Apart from the severance package, I've got enough savings to last for a couple of years before I even have to start dipping into the long-term investments. I've been through lean times a couple of times before, so I'm always pretty careful to keep a decent buffer.

And yeah, I do tend to live pretty frugally. "Shabby but functional and comfortable" is usually good enough except on those rare occasions when I'm trying to make a good impression.

Although I wouldn't *mind* taking another software position, given a choice I'd prefer to be doing something more hands-on.

[metalana.livejournal.com]

Two years of savings! Ah, the pleasure of having the mortgage paid off. You could hold out for a decent job, delve into some avocation...

But if you want to get out of the house and feel useful, it's summer, in a year with a renovation tax credit. There may be physical work easily available while you look for something intellectual.

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

Darn! I'm so sorry to hear this.

Obviously, don't take it personally.

Don't sign any papers they give you until you've had time to go over them with (preferably) a lawyer or if not at least someone who's gone through this. Given the number of years you've been there, you are owed a fair amount of severance by law -- and one would hope also counseling for finding a new job etc.

Make sure there's no restrictions on who you could work for too.

While this is not the greatest time, it may give you a few months in nice weather to do other things, and you're likely to find something better, and that could allow you to build new & different skills.

Let me know if you need help -- or just someone to chat to.

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

I know that I shouldn't take it personally -- "it's the bad economy" and there were a number of good people let go at the same time, including at least one who'd been with the company longer than I had. Several, including myself, I would categorize not so much as brilliant innovators as "the people who quietly keep things running, fixing problems, supporting the others".

Still: I don't think the people who were let go were chosen by lot. Out of the people in my group, I was the one who was deemed most expendable.

We haven't been asked to sign any papers. There were about eight people at my "departure meeting", and I know that there was at least one other such meeting. Minus the pleasantries, it was "here's an envelope describing your settlement package; your manager will escort you to your desk to collect your belongings and then out of the building". There were provisions for collecting personal files on computers, for those unable to bring all their personal possessions home with no notice, etc.

I think that the settlement package is about double the legal requirement. They've also provided some contacts for job hunting, though I'd have to go through it again to see if there's more there than a list of agencies. The health/benefits package should cover that kind of counselling. I think my original contract had some restrictions about working for a direct competitor for some period of time, but I'd have to check; it's not likely to be relevant anyway.

I'll be spending at least a couple of days doing some fix-up stuff around the house. It'll help to take my mind off things.

Thanks.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

You might still want an attorney of appropriate training and experience to look over your severance package, in any case. The subject came up a month or so ago on one of Ontario Today (http://www.cbc.ca/ontariotoday/)'s phone-ins

[j-v-lynch.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I don't think anyone got of easy with this, be it us or the "survivors".

I'll keep my eyes out for you.

[bunsen-h.livejournal.com]

Thanks; likewise.

Our skill sets are different enough that I don't think we'll be competing for the same positions.

[ambiviolent.livejournal.com]

Yikes! Much sympathy and good wishes for future work with less "kludge" factor.