My husband got laid off

Well, DH got laid off this past weekend. I knew corporate was talking about letting some people go but, stupid me figured his job was basically safe since he had the second highest sales in the company. As I said, stupid me. Never assume anything, lol. He worked for a home improvement store (sold surplus windows, doors, flooring, etc) and they also were a John Deere dealer. DH WAS the JD department. He did sales, parts orders, warranty work, scheduling for pick up and delivery. The only thing he didn't do himself were the repairs. He was doing the work of 3 people, so maybe this is a blessing in disguise since he was getting so stressed out. I don't know who is going to do that job now. I really think corporate is planning to close this store; the only thing that was keeping money coming in was the tractor sales so getting rid of a high selling employee that runs that department is basically shooting themselves in the foot. 

But, it just sucks. It just seems like every time we start having some breathing room and be able to start putting money away or start to do something on the house, something like this happens. We're cursed, I swear it! I would just like to know what we did to piss off the gods so we can make it right and catch a break. 

On the positive side, he can get unemployment for 6 months and he'll be bringing home almost as much as his regular paycheck. We just won't have the commission checks at the end of the month that we're used to. Plus, there's a lot of things that need done around the house that he hasn't had time to do. We're in the process of expanding our living room (we already paid for all the materials, thank god!) so maybe that will get done sometime before Christmas   . We also have new siding and spouting that needs to be put up, and his mom needs her bathroom redone, so he won't be bored. 

I'm not really worried about him not being able to find something in a few months. He knows half the people in the tri-state area so he's got connections. He was offered a job at another tractor sales company a few years ago (he went to school with the manager) so he's going to contact him in the next few weeks. Plus, his best friend is working for a construction company and he could probably get him on there. It's just a pain. And he's a little depressed too. We were talking about it last night and he feels like he lost part of his identity (he worked there for almost 9 years). 

Sounds like something my dad went through (they laid him off on his birthday).
There was a woman at the company who hated my dad and the first thing she did when she got promoted was give him the pink slip.
Lets just say the company went to the sh*ts not long afterwards (ran into an old coworker and heard it all from him).

I've been there...twice. I got laid off in January 2010 and then again in June 2011. It sucks, but it usually works out for the better. After my second lay off, I decided to go back to school and the government paid for it. 

I hope he finds something soon. 

catlover19 said:

I've been there...twice. I got laid off in January 2010 and then again in June 2011. It sucks, but it usually works out for the better. After my second lay off, I decided to go back to school and the government paid for it. 

I hope he finds something soon. 

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Seriously?  That must be great.  When I got laid off my degree was stale and I got NO help from anyone.  I am now over 20K in debt.

One thing  I have noticed with lay-offs is they get rid of the higher paying people.  Uh...they are mostly higher paid because they are very good at their job.  Within two years of my being laid off the company folded. 

Speaking as someone newly underemployed, I have to say there are jobs out there; there are even good jobs out there.  And here's the thing:  If you can sell one thing, you can usually sell something else.  Selling is a skill.  This might be his chance to move up.  Maybe new car sales?
 

hno: So sorry to hear that news. It sounds, though, like your DH will be able to find something soon. :cross: AND at least you already paid off the Living Room addition! That is the good news. We always do that too. We pay for the big stuff ahead of time or we don't do it - put it off. We don't live on leverage at all. Don't like credit. Pay everything off as it comes up. You never know in this economy. No one's job is completely secure.

I'm so sorry to hear the news.      We've all been thru it --- Paul was in sales and we know just what you are going thru.      But somehow things always seem to work out in the end and lead to a better opportunity.    I'll be thinking of you and please keep us posted.     But at least now maybe he can escape from the stress which certainly isn't good for his health.    Take care and best of luck.

Thanks everyone for the vibes and thoughts. Right now, we're good. He's getting his last big commission check this week then unemployment should kick in the in the next few weeks. Plus my check goes in next weekend so we aren't going to starve in the near future. It just takes some adjusting.

I admit, this weekend I was in a major funk/panic. See, my dad was laid off in the 70's when I was just starting first grade and didn't find a full time job with benefits until I was ending my 3 grade year, so 2 1/2 years without steady work. My parents tried to not discuss things in front of me, but I picked up on enough. I remember my mom worrying about the $100 gas bill they got one month and how they were going to pay for it. I remember coming home one day and finding a box full of food on our porch right before Thanksgiving, so we could have a Thanksgiving meal. I remember my grandmother (who worked at a cafateria) bring home left over hamburgers and hotdogs for our dog to save money on dog food. I grew up wearing hand-me-down clothes and we went without a lot. But I was loved and was happy. BUT, I know what kind of stress it put on my parents and the fights they had. 

Now, I know the economy and the work force is nothing like it was in the 70's. At least there are more job listings in the paper and, like I said, DH does have contacts. So, I'm not super worried right now. Now, come January when unemployment runs out, if he hasn't found anything, I may be reaching major panic mode!

I'm sorry you're going through this and sending that he finds something even better soon!

That really stinks! I hope something else that he can be happy at comes along for him soon.

We are kind of the same boat right now. We moved from NC back home last Christmas, literally arriving Christmas Eve, and dh had a job with a guy that he had started in the tattooing trade with 25 years ago. Last month he closed the shop with 2 days notice and left us high and dry. If not for dh's family, we would be in a serious bind.

I'm so sorry to hear this, Hope. . I hope he finds something fast. :cross:

catlover19 said:

I've been there...twice. I got laid off in January 2010 and then again in June 2011. It sucks, but it usually works out for the better. After my second lay off, I decided to go back to school and the government paid for it. 

I hope he finds something soon. 

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That's how I finished my degree, too. Took a voluntary separation from the company (they were going downhill fast and were asking for people to volunteer to leave....I needed to do my internship, so it was a good time to leave anyway), so I took my severance pay, invested that, and finished my education. The government paid for my last year of studies.

Calico2222, I hope your husband finds something and soon; from your post, he sounds like he won't be without a job very long! He sounds like a very hard worker. Best of luck to him!