Wonderduck's Pond

March 12, 2019

Endings And Beginnings

Last Tuesday was by all appearances just another day. Same assignment for the day, same system difficulties we've had for weeks, same lack of neighbors around my desk... really, that last one wasn't much of a problem. After clocking in and checking my e-mail (chair massages are on thursday!) I got right to work, popping lifesavers as I went. It's a new habit, I guess.

After a good 90 minutes, I came up for air, stretched, swore as my saddlesores screamed, then checked e-mail again. Hm. E-mail from the boss, inviting me to a meeting in 15 minutes in the forward training room. Okay, just click on "accept" and... huh? No accept? It wasn't sent via outlook, but personal from the boss to me. Well, isn't that interesting? I sat and thought for a moment... perhaps it's going to be training on a new work type. We have been struggling for claims of late, after all. I leaned back, mulled it over in my mind, then sat up, pulled my cellphone out of the filing cabinet, followed by my car keys and my glasses. To anybody looking at me, it just appeared I was going on break as I headed to the meeting.

I found seven or eight other people in there, as well as the boss herself. Oh dear... she's not a trainer. She talked for a few minutes about... nothing, really, I guess, and then said the magic words: "we've made the decision to terminate your employment with us."

Declining claim counts and a new processing system were cited as reasons. Then the various managers, supervisors, and assistants walked in carrying boxes and bags... the contents of our desks. I was mildly amused that while almost everybody else was being handed their stuff in shopping bags, my desk needed a large box and a large bag. Well, when you've lived in a place for nearly four years, that kinda happens. They helped me get my stuff to my car... when you're using canes, your ability to carry boxes is kinda truncated... wished me luck, and I was unemployed again.

I drove directly home, looked around, and decided to take a nap... and that was probably the last coherent thought I've had. The past week has been spent doing (or not doing) things as it strikes me. There are things I could/should be doing, but nah. To me, it's clear that for whatever reason, losing this job has hit me harder than losing the Duck U Bookstore job. I haven't left Pond Central since I got home that day, so about a week. I've got packages waiting for me back at the office, things I couldn't have redirected, so plenty of reason to go out, but no.

Guess this is good news for the F1 fans left in my readership... I'll have time to follow the sport again. First race of the season is this weekend after all... Australia. I'm unsure if this is a good trade or not.

Time will tell... about a lot of things, actually.

Posted by: Wonderduck at 12:22 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
Post contains 512 words, total size 3 kb.

1 I am so sorry to hear that. Just keep punching, man.

Posted by: Ed Hering at March 12, 2019 02:14 PM (/cXdK)

2 Ouch. Sorry to hear that. Hang in there, you'll find another job. Though given your mobility issues, it may also be worth considering disability. I can certainly understand if you don't want to go that route though.

Posted by: StargazerA5 at March 12, 2019 04:00 PM (5/EyS)

3 *sigh* just cut and paste https://imgur.com/gallery/82WhXSO in the address bar

<a href="https://imgur.com/gallery/82WhXSO">heh</a>

Posted by: Ed Hering at March 12, 2019 05:25 PM (/cXdK)

4 On the one hand, the job was kind of destroying you. On the other... aw, hellfire.

May whatever sentience watches over us guide you to a better, more invigorating gig.

Posted by: GreyDuck at March 12, 2019 08:45 PM (rKFiU)

5 Honestly, in the long run I think you'll be better off, they were working you to death. It sounded like only one step above debt collecting.
But stop moping and pick up your packages! It's YOUR stuff. And opening boxes is fun. And the last thing you want is then tossed or sent back.

Posted by: Mauser at March 12, 2019 09:41 PM (Ix1l6)

6 May your next job be a million times better, and your days twice as bright.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at March 13, 2019 06:28 AM (2yngH)

7 Well, suck. Sorry to hear this, but I agree with Mauser and GreyDuck. The working hours and conditions stunk.

This explains much about why insurance companies are so difficult to deal with when making claims; I doubt any adjuster feels particularly generous under those circumstances.

Posted by: Ubu at March 13, 2019 09:19 AM (SlLGE)

8 God bless and keep you. We have not enough otakus...

Posted by: The Old Man at March 13, 2019 11:34 AM (duGaw)

9 Good chance to recharge and get your life back together. That place was running you -way- over the recommended duty cycle, and not paying you the kind of money to make that worth it.
I dunno that I'm spending my spare time productively (there's a bunch of gacha games in there...) but havin' enough fun is important. Once you've got your feet back under ya, let us know what you're having fun with!

Posted by: Avatar_exADV at March 15, 2019 02:14 AM (v29Tn)

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