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Chit Chat
novella1186
member
So many knots in my stomach :(
in Chit Chat
I guess I just need to finally vent about this. FI and I work for the same company (huge international company based in a small town) and were about to buy a house this past April. A few days from closing on our "dream house," we found out our company has been acquired by our biggest competitor. Since we both work for the company and both stood to lose our jobs at the same time, and this is a small town with no other major industries to work for (and the nearest decent-sized town is an hour away) everything fell apart and we did not buy the house. Luckily we found a way out of the contract at the very last minute but it was a huge mess. I sat on the couch and cried for a few days and then got my shit together and got over it. Sometimes shit happens, and we just have to deal with it one step at a time.
Well, we're still in limbo with our jobs. The final deal isn't due to close until April 2015 (about a month before our wedding) so if we get fired, it will most likely happen around that time. And the thought of both of us potentially "starting our lives together" being unemployed kind of makes me want to puke and cry at the same time. We considered just bailing out and finding jobs elsewhere this fall. Like I said, there isn't much around here, so we'd have to make a pretty significant move to another state, which we're totally willing to do. But FI thinks it's best to wait until the new year because we haven't been here long enough to be fully vested on our 401Ks, so we'd both lose half our money. If we get fired, we get our full 401Ks and a severance package.
I've been fine with all of this, mostly just not thinking about it, until this morning when we got an "update" on how the acquisition is going. My stomach totally knotted up and I really thought I was gonna start crying right at my desk in front of everyone. The update really doesn't give any useful information. Just "things are going well, the deal is still set to close when expected, it's all business as usual."
It's just all the not knowing that's killing me. Will we get fired? When will we get fired? Should we move? When will we move? Where will we go? Where will we live? How will we both find new jobs? Will we still get paid the same? How do we move far away and still plan our wedding that's in this area? How do I start a new job and immediately ask for time off for this wedding? What if I don't find a new job? What if I get sick again with no health insurance? On and on and on.
I guess what freaks me out the most is the thought of being unemployed again. When I graduated college, it took me three years to find a "real job" where I was actually financially stable. For three years I put in hundreds of job applications, went to career counselors, temp agencies, revised me resume a million times, worked part-time shitty jobs that I hated, had to move in with my parents, sometimes couldn't even afford to buy my own groceries or pay my student loans. I thought I had it made when I got my current job. Health insurance, paid vacation time, working for this huge company that has such an awesome reputation, being treated well at work, being treated well by my boss, being able to buy my own house. And then it all fell apart, out of nowhere, and I feel like I have to start back at the beginning again.
Anyway, that's my big whiney rant. Thanks for putting up with it. I'm sure a lot of you can relate because EVERYONE has had to face tough situations like this at some point. I think I'll spend a little bit of time feeling sorry for myself, and then I'll get my shit together again and keep going.
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Re: So many knots in my stomach :(
Is it worthwhile for you and FI to make up several different plans/back up plans in the event of different situations? I feel like that would help me cope with the unknown more. If that doesn't work, I suggest wine.
I think goldchocobo is right about social media, too - get on LinkedIn, may sure your info is current, join (more) related professional groups or email lists where you can get additional info on jobs. If friends in your industry or related ones check in with you or FI, I think I'd put out soft inquiries about what might be open or let people know you might be looking soon.
Good luck!
Sorry to hear about all that. Uncertainty is always the hardest part. I would suggest a stance of hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. Plan to stay where you are and hope things work out, but work on a plan B, just in case. It doesn't hurt to start looking and applying for other jobs. Maybe you won't get any offers. Maybe you'll get a really amazing offer that may make it worth leaving early, even if that means leaving part of the 401K. And some job opportunities take a while to hire, even several months. So, you may find a job that won't even start until next spring. So, I'd at least start looking to see what else is out there. And if you do get let go, you at least have a head start.
I would probably cut back wedding expenses if possible, just in case. And if you end up unemployed around the time of your wedding, take advantage and maybe take an extended honeymoon and enjoy being with your spouse. Even if it's just staying at home. Send out a bunch of resumes beforehand and relax for a couple weeks while waiting to hear back.
As far as taking time off for wedding right after starting a job, just make sure they are aware of your plans when they offer the job (don't bring it up before that though). DH started a job about 6 months before our wedding but we had already planned nearly 3 weeks out of town for our wedding & honeymoon. They weren't exactly thrilled about that extended of a leave, but they were accepting of it and were understanding since it was for our wedding and was already planned and booked. Most employers tend to be fairly understanding about things like that.
But, for now, just go with the flow and try not to stress about it too much. Stressing and worrying doesn't solve anything, it just hurts you. So, come up with plans for each scenario, so you can be somewhat prepared for any outcome. And start looking to see what other jobs are out there... even if you don't take any of the jobs, getting a feel for what's out there, getting resume updated, and even practicing with a few interviews gives you a good head start. And it will help you feel a bit more prepared for a potential job loss, so maybe the idea of it won't be so stressful.
It is definitely stressful to deal with, especially on top of house buying woes and planning a wedding. I went through a similar situation at my first job where they had merged 2 companies into one and I was on the winning side (yea!) and then about 3 years later they decided to move our piece to merge with another company under the same umbrella and I was on the losing side (boo!).
The uncertainty is tough, but have a game plan now. Put out feelers to friends/family/networking, start looking for jobs now - maybe an awesome opportunity will present itself. Or maybe you won't have to worry about losing your job at all, and score you still found a new one.
The reality is it could happen to anyone, companies get bought/sold all the time or layoffs happen and you may not have a year to prepare. You're being given time to get your stuff together and make a plan in case you need it. That's way better than being blindsided and then trying to find something new.
Also, if you have the time for it, step up your networking game. Especially within your industry, where everyone is aware of the acquisition and the potential fallout. DH works for a large bank, and the past several years haven't exactly been kind to his industry. Whenever his employer was in the news for announcing thousands more layoffs, he'd start getting emails from friends, contacts, and recruiters: "Are you okay there? If you want to jump ship, we have an opening in _____. Send me your resume, I'll be happy to [put in a good word for you/set up a meeting/put it directly in the hiring manager's hand/whatever]." That kind of thing. Good luck.
I'm so sorry. PPs have given great advice. Keeping you in my thoughts! Let us know if you need a gif party. We have that shit on lock, YO!