Karen Continued

FedEx’s job layoff realignment means that since my job has been eliminated, I’m now given a choice of open positions to take. I’ve been with the company for 19 years, in a professional position for half of that time. I applied for a position I could qualify for, but it was quite popular; one of only 3 professional positions in the area. I didn’t get it. Neither did a Senior Manager who also applied for it and was waaay more qualified than me.

So what jobs were offered to me? Checker/Sorter or Handler. I would be the person who either stands at the conveyor belts with a scanner or the person throwing your packages into trucks or containers. Nice. I guess that means my time at FedEx is over.

Wish me luck.

I work for a great company. One that has a “no layoff policy”. This has made me feel safe and secure for the 19 years I’ve worked there. Unfortunately, the bad economy combined with the anti-union atmosphere has resulted in the layoff of 1000 salaried workers. I’m one of them.

I’ve been given a list of jobs for which I can apply. There are positions I don’t qualify for and entry-level positions with the lowest pay offered. Nothing much in-between.

Do I swallow my pride and take a shitty hourly position after having an awesome make-my-own-hours salaried position, just to keep my healthcare? Do I take the modest severance package and dive headlong into financial instability, but working for myself?

This is what I get for blind confidence in the company I work for.