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fatality_uk
July 2nd, 2008, 09:43 AM
Just have to get this off my chest!!!

1) I walked into work and was told at 11am and was escorted from the building at 12pm!!! Wow, classy way to approach this.

2) One of my concerns was for my team. They were being told simultaneously so as to not cause any "issues". Nice!! I would have preferred to handle this in a more professional manner. I wasn't consulted and knew nothing about this until my meeting. They were made to feel as though they were being thrown out along with the rubbish (garbage). Not the way to do this, not at all.

3) I was asked by the managing director to ensure that nothing would be "installed" on the systems that would cause problems. I am a professional with over 20 years experience, what kind of mind imagines that I or any of my team would have that in mind? You think you know people hey!!!

Sorry, there isn't a point to this post other than to have a rant!!! ](*,):x

Well there is, a little. Apart from my job search, anyone have any suggestions as to Linux related tasks I could be working on over the next few weeks. I plan to have at least 2 weeks off work and relax in my garden, open the occasional bottle of Merlot and enjoy what little is left of the British summer.

Additionally, does anyone need help with a project that they are working on? I could provide a broad range of skills from project management to PHP, MySql development. Let me know if there is.

beercz
July 2nd, 2008, 10:33 AM
Commiserations fatality_uk - I hope you find alternative employment soon. Good luck with your job hunting.

In some ways I would love to be made redundant! But that is unlikely to happen to me.

starcannon
July 2nd, 2008, 10:42 AM
Ouch, sorry to hear it man, and even sorrier to hear that you were under a paranoid chicken fecies of a boss.

Enjoy the Garden and the Merlot, and may you find work when your ready to jump back in, wth you needed a breather anyway right?

GL
~starcannon

chrisccoulson
July 2nd, 2008, 10:48 AM
fatality_uk - Sorry to hear about that. What sort of work do you do, and where in the UK are you based?

lisati
July 2nd, 2008, 10:48 AM
Sorry to hear you were sent down the road.

Enjoy the break from the millstone as best you can, allow your head to clear, and don't give up on having a meaningful life.

tunznath
July 2nd, 2008, 10:52 AM
With redudancies isnt there supposed to be a negotiation period - where alternatives are examined? - dont know much about redundancies in the UK - the summer is getting better though

Trail
July 2nd, 2008, 01:28 PM
Sorry, what exactly do you mean by 'make redundant"? From the context I think my interpretation is a little off.

samjh
July 2nd, 2008, 02:08 PM
Sorry, what exactly do you mean by 'make redundant"? From the context I think my interpretation is a little off.

It means the position is considered to be no longer necessarily by the business. So, if it's unnecessary, that person's employment is terminated.

Good thing: redundancy pay packages (usually based on years worked and unclaimed annual leave).

Bad thing: no job.

fatality_uk
July 2nd, 2008, 02:57 PM
Cheers guys!! It's an odd feeling. I still got up at 6am this morning and went looking for my laptop bag :lol: Man I MISS my LAPTOP

tunznath, yes there is technically!! I spoke to my solicitor yesterday and due to the fact I had worked there 1 year and 51 weeks, I have less rights. 7 more days and there would have needed to be a process, appeals etc. Lucky for my ex employers that the found my position was no longer needed just 7 days before that kicked in :lol: (You have to laugh. Employment law, workers rights, worker wrongs :)

I am really quite up beat about it today. Maybe the fact I just banked two months salary ;) New 46" Samsung LCD TV for me next week ;)

chrisccoulson. I have worked in IT for the last 20 years. I started as a developer (mainframe mostly) then moved into web development, ASP, PHP, MySQL, MSSQL, ran my own business, which was bought out by Grosvenor Technology, I then moved into project management about 8 years ago, Prince 2 IT public programmes, a few Police forces, NHS etc, then last two years as head of dept.

I can post you the rest of my CV if you have a decent role ;)

I am contemplating starting my own business again. Some sort of Open Source consultancy for SME businesses with PC hardware sales. My experience over the last year in has given me a great insight into the pit falls and positives that FOSS can bring to a business. I would class the migration I planned as a great success. Hmm :D

How about System76 in the UK? Does anyone have a specific name in System76 who I could talk to? The site is press inquiries and support.

helliewm
July 2nd, 2008, 03:17 PM
You where n't working on the CFH project by any chance?

Helen

fatality_uk
July 2nd, 2008, 03:28 PM
You where n't working on the CFH project by any chance?

Helen

Hi Helen. If it's broke and you want your money back, it wasn't me :D :lol:
No, the NHS CFH project is a little after my time. I was a PM on a project called convergence. The super duper all singing, all dancing £4.5b project currently under way, over budget and late by decades is something I can't hold my hands up to. I wish I could get into the project at a senior enough level to affect changes. Apologies if your on the steering committee or a PM/dev involved. No offense intended.

tunznath
July 2nd, 2008, 03:28 PM
Sorry to hear that you were 7 days short - employers can use the law to their own advantage - (DAMN!!!)

HappyHenry
July 2nd, 2008, 03:32 PM
Great outlook friend! I too have been found redundant, a redundant amount of times.=) Its great to see you making the best of your time, in constructive ways. A neet little twist my mind has always taken in this situation, yes I admit I have a twisted mind, is the job slot was redundant- not ME! I'm as unique and valuable as everyone is so, really, the only redundancy lay in the company I was lucky enough to set free from and aloud time to find a more diverse opportunity! A even brighter day lay ahead for those, like you, who know its there. Kudos to you!!

helliewm
July 2nd, 2008, 03:39 PM
See my web site in my signature I am Campaigning against CFH! I am a seriously a big thorn in the side of the DH.

Helen

Elfy
July 2nd, 2008, 03:39 PM
Sorry to hear that - been there so make the most of the time you'll get and have a good think about the future if you can afford to :)


I had worked there 1 year and 51 weeks,Yep - I know that one - I've been unlucky enough get the nearly 2 years quick do it now - I even had to make myself redundant as the 'boy' charged with undertaking the task didn't have the balls.

I have also been made redundant 2 more times - they were good though as I got money from it - last time I took 3 years and did a degree as I didn't get the opportunity when I left school.

jonabyte
July 2nd, 2008, 03:59 PM
Sorry to hear about your loss. I once worked at a place where they would wait until 5pm on a Friday to release you, that sucked too.

Jordanwb
July 2nd, 2008, 04:41 PM
I get the fact that you were let go but I don't get how you became redundant. Did you call yourself or something?

Icehuck
July 2nd, 2008, 04:49 PM
I get the fact that you were let go but I don't get how you became redundant. Did you call yourself or something?

It might be one of those differences in the types of English we speak. While those in the UK might say redundant, here on our side of the world we say laid off. If it isn't that I have no idea.

chucky chuckaluck
July 2nd, 2008, 04:59 PM
hindsight, of course, is wonderful, but as you were being escorted out, you should have said "you're worried about me? you should be really worried about blank" (blank being the name of someone who still works there that you hate). tough break. their rude treatment speaks volumes about them, not you or your team.

Jordanwb
July 2nd, 2008, 05:01 PM
It might be one of those differences in the types of English we speak. While those in the UK might say redundant, here on our side of the world we say laid off. If it isn't that I have no idea.

Oh okay.

Elfy
July 2nd, 2008, 05:07 PM
While those in the UK might say redundant, here on our side of the world we say laid offHere they would be 2 seperate things - to be laid off could be a temporary thing - builders could be laid off for a week or two till there is work available..

to be made redundant 'should' mean that the job itself is no longer needed - so you have to go because there is no job for you.

chrisccoulson
July 2nd, 2008, 05:16 PM
chrisccoulson. I have worked in IT for the last 20 years. I started as a developer (mainframe mostly) then moved into web development, ASP, PHP, MySQL, MSSQL, ran my own business, which was bought out by Grosvenor Technology, I then moved into project management about 8 years ago, Prince 2 IT public programmes, a few Police forces, NHS etc, then last two years as head of dept.

I can post you the rest of my CV if you have a decent role ;)

I have no roles unfortunately ;)

I was just interested because the job market seems to be quite buoyant for engineering and computing jobs here in the West Midlands at the moment, especially for contracting work. I think companies are reluctant to increase the size of their permanent workforce at the moment with the current market volatility, so you might do good to take up a contract role for 6 months and milk it while you can!

I work in electronics engineering at the moment, and I'm currently looking to change jobs.

fatality_uk
July 2nd, 2008, 05:22 PM
I am sure that it wont take me long to find anothe position. I feel upset for my team. They worked hard over the last few years and I live in area that isn't full with IT jobs. I have been on the phone all afternoon putting in recommendations for them. Hopefully it will help!

As for me, I have to no ties to the area I am living. I could rent out my houses easily and move to anywhere in the country. So brum or the outskirts could be a possible ;)

LaRoza
July 2nd, 2008, 06:14 PM
Job searching isn't that fun, but I hope the time is spent in a relaxing and productive way.

Hope you find a job in a short time, but not short enough you can't enjoy some time.

KillerSponge
July 2nd, 2008, 06:19 PM
Wow, they can do that? Just tell you "We don't need you anymore" and kick you out of the building that same day? As far as I know, where I live (the Netherlands) they can't just fire you and kick you out (unless you've done something wrong)... Seems a lot more fair to me.

Anyway: good luck with finding a new job, it might even turn out better than expected ;)

gn2
July 2nd, 2008, 08:06 PM
I got made redundant once, but as I was with a massive employer, British Rail, I got handed a list of vacancies within the company to apply for.
I chose signalman and it was the best thing that I ever did. Luckily I fell into a job that I love which I would never have applied for in the first place.

So chin up Fatality_UK, every cloud has a silver lining, this could be the start of something good for you, I certainly hope so.

spamzilla
July 2nd, 2008, 08:31 PM
Unlucky mate. I was nearly made redundant towards the end of April. I'm an IT Techie for a school and all secondary schools have had their budgets cut by a huge amounts this financial year. Due to this, The IT Dept. (network manager + 2 techies) were told that one of us could be made redundant. Worst 2 weeks of my life. Luckily no redundancies but we got our hours cut.

Hope you find a job soon :lol:

fatality_uk
July 2nd, 2008, 08:31 PM
Cheers guys.

Yeah i'm more of a glass half full than empty kind of person :D
Unless it was full when I left the table and someone has just taken a slug ;)

Off topic from my own post slightly but here goes :D

How amazing are some people? I had to drive into town today to register with an agency and move some cash in the bank. I drove into the car park and went to buy a ticket. The guy in front of me was a ticket warden.

Anyway, stood behind him, I realized I didn't quite have enough cash, so I asked if it was ok with him for me to give him £1 till I get back from a local shop with the other £0.30p and i'd run and get change.

Without a thought the guy said, forget it and promptly deposited my £1 and £0.30p from his own pocket. I said, hold on there and ill get the cash. He waved away my suggestion. I told him thanks so much, and mentioned that it's funny how life gives you little boosts sometimes when you need them as I was made redundant yesterday.

This guy who I didn't know then spent 10 minutes of his time telling me not to worry, how things will work out, offering me tips about dealing with being laid off work for short period and really meant it!

That right there is the Ubuntu spirit!! While I was self absorbed in my thoughts about finding work etc, he was there helping out someone he didn't know!!!

I didn't get the guys name, but I have written a letter to the local council commending him on being a shining example of customer service. I didn't mention the time or money, don't want to land the guy in trouble, just mentioned he was very helpful.

Redache
July 2nd, 2008, 08:43 PM
The guy in front of me was a ticket warden.
I work for a Local Authority and that seems like a shining example of how customer service SHOULD be but rarely is with Council services. I work for the Highways as a Clerical Assistant/Receptionist (Absolutely loathe it but 2 months before Uni) and it's shocking to see how people are treated by people in the call centres, I frequently get people on the phone who have been passed round everywhere then they're dumped on me because there's nowhere else to go. The difference is I actually try to HELP these people.

But yes, that attendant is how the whole customer service world should be.

Good luck on the job hunting and I find that most businesses that operate in a stealthy/cowardly manor tend to be the ones that have low retention rates (unless they're family) due to this.

My step father was fired from a job he had as a manger in a printing company because he was given the task to fire the laziest/least knowledgeable person in the company and sadly he chose a family member without knowing.

It's a shame people ignore British employment law or find ways to subvert it.

gn2
July 2nd, 2008, 08:55 PM
It's a shame people ignore British employment law or find ways to subvert it.

Which is why it's always a good idea to be a member of a trade union.

Elfy
July 2nd, 2008, 09:06 PM
My step father was fired from a job he had as a manger in a printing company because he was given the task to fire the laziest/least knowledgeable person in the company and sadly he chose a family member without knowing.That is classic - luckily I left my last 'real' job before I was handed the son to train :)

ww711
July 2nd, 2008, 11:38 PM
Was an IT Techie myself, until last week supporting users + dullness and PCs; am now looking for a new role.

Was a small company with majority of users that demanded constant deskside attention. Sys admin didn't want any remote control software installed on user PCs...

Going a bit off topic...

In my next role I'd like more Linux and servers (web/app/db), any thoughts on how to gain more of this in a commercial/work environment...it's all very well for example setting up a virtual machine; installing a distro, installing apps, reading up on tutorial/books, etc...but it's no substitute for work experience....e.g.:-working on some linux OS that runs a middleware app, thrown in with some huge DB or that spans across across the globe with some networking...or similar!

Mateo
July 3rd, 2008, 12:00 AM
if you think you're only going to be off for a few weeks, you are in for a rude awakening in this economy. be prepared for a job search of several months if not longer.

Tux Aubrey
July 3rd, 2008, 03:01 AM
Sorry to hear about your redundancy. I'd love one myself - but with my thirty years service, it would cost them way too much.


Additionally, does anyone need help with a project that they are working on? I could provide a broad range of skills from project management to PHP, MySql development. Let me know if there is.

We can always use help over at CafeLinux (http://www.cafelinux.org/forum/)! Especially if you are willing to grapple with Enlightenment (e17) or getting our documentation site better organised. Even some crash testing of OzOS on different machines would be a help. At least drop in and say "hi".