Sooo, I got called into a meeting with the GM, my Dept Head, Regional Manager, and Corporate HR (you know where this is going, don't you?) Corporate had already told us that they're "transitioning" about 2/3 of our work to Poland at the end of 2014, but they weren't completely sure about a few departments (who would stay, who would go - again, you see where this is going). So yeah, my job is one to be eliminated (looks like just mine - documentation - the rest of the department seems to be staying). Blah, blah, it's not you, it's the job (though it's not entirely blah, blah, as I'm being bribed with extra incentives to stick around until The End). So, in about 2 years I'm being laid off. At which time I will have been with the company about 10 years. Even though I was halfway expecting it, it's still a bit of a blow (though I know, two years in which to plan, etc.)

I'll be okay, I'm just feeling a little Abed - "I need help reacting to something."

Oh Epic. Wow. That's a lot to process. 2 years is a lot of lead time. Sounds like you could be rehired in another dept, no?

I think I just saw the comet!!! I'm still new to the astronomy thing, so can't say with 100% certainty. It was real low to the horizon, and lots of light glare, so hard to say. But. Point of light, fuzzy blur above it. In the right area where the chart said it would be. Yup. I think I saw it!

2 years. um, ok. well, I d make a plan so you can go on a big trip .because that would be a big fun thing to do. And with two years, you can get the money together. I also think you can take a hard look at what you are doing and see if there was something else you want to do.

I'm going to say hooray for lead time. Chang e happens, now you have an idea of when to expect one

Sounds like you could be rehired in another dept, no?

No, they're only keeping Engineering at my current site (my dept is under the Eng heading, that's why I was unsure until today). I'm definitely in no way qualified to design our product, I'm afraid. There is another site that's part of a different division that's only 10-15 minutes away, and our largest customer is about the same distance away, so they'll definitely be primary targets - and hopefully recs from current management will make me an attractive prospect.

2 years is a lot of lead time.

Yeah, that's part of the weirdness. I feel semi-frantic, "Gotta update the resume," "Better start calling people and networking," thoughts, then I remember that I have 18-20 months before I need to start scrambling.

Anyway, I've been "eating my feelings" and had a pre-made margarita that my friend fortuitously gave me as a semi-gag gift a few months ago. I'm feeling a bit better. I think there are some peanut M&Ms that might just complete the cure.

Beth, I like the way you think! I have been promising myself a trip to Ireland for ages and haven't gotten around to putting it together. Hel-LO 9-10 weeks of severance!

ET,

do you have to stay 2 years? I mean, if something good comes along in a year, maybe you should take it?

Ugh Epic, that's a lot to think about. But a margarita is a good idea.

do you have to stay 2 years? I mean, if something good comes along in a year, maybe you should take it?

I don't HAVE to stay, but the severance package is decent, plus, as I said, they're bribing me (literally - well, not a literal bribe, those are illegal, but there is a little extra money) to stick it out to the end. Plus, I HATE change, so my natural tendency is towards inertia until they make me leave.

I mean, if something insanely awesome came my way, I'd be free to jump ship. But I'm not sure how awesome insanely awesome would have to be to overpower the $ for sticking it out.

But a margarita is a good idea.

Yes, I feel good about my choice.

When the publisher I worked for in San Diego sold our division, we got a nice bonus to stay through to the end. Which is odd because publishing is so underpaid. A lot of people left. It was only about six months though.

That's a lot to process though, Epic.

I've also realized that the stress of the last few weeks has me on the unintentional "acid reflux diet." I have the cough, the chest pain, the inability to tell when I'm hungry until I'm starving

Why do I never recognize these signs until my throat is burning with acid? I don't get the "burn" but there is a diffuse chest pain. There should be a test to be a grownup. But I'd fail.