Last year, on November 5th, I lost my 9-year job with a major, global auto parts manufacturer because of a corrupt Director who is on the fast track up the corporate ladder. He's in his early 30's, a Cornell and Duke grad (another reason to hate Duke, LOL), and is the kind who always likes to "shine" in the eyes of the "big boys". Well, because of some of his decisions, and after nearly tripling my responsibilities, a couple of "goals" were missed (not "deadlines"). His answer to the "big boys" was, "I took care of that problem. I fired the guy whose fault it was."
Funny thing, they've hired two full-time people, moved the fat-ass HR Manager (the B!TCH who gave me my walking papers, and who is in this directors "circle of friends") into a position in the department, and have a part-time outside consultant to replace me. They initially brought in a consulting firm who told them right away that it was more than a one-person job. For the last year I was in the position, I was working 7 days a week, and about 12-13 hours per day. What time I wasn't spending at the plant, I was connected from home via my laptop dealing with paperwork. In fact, just two weeks before I was "released" from the company, I had my annual performance review, and my supervisor gave me a rating of "Exceeds Company Expectations", which is about equivalent to "walking on water" with that organization. I still talk to him on a regular basis, his wife is one of my Facebook "friends", and he has repeatedly told me that he had nothing to do with what happened. We've even gone out to eat with both of them on several occasions.
I was the Environmental, Health and Safety Coordinator and the plant Industrial Engineer, and had stellar performance numbers for the whole time I was there. Since I was terminated, I've been told that they failed two outside environmental audits and the accident rate has nearly tripled, even with the 3-1/2 people they now have doing my old job. Several of the accidents that have occurred have been serious (broken bones, finger amputations, severe burns, etc), and OSHA has paid them a couple of visits because of these accidents and from employee complaints. Since there were approximately 1,000 people who worked in the two buildings for which I was responsible, I see lots of my old co-workers when I'm out and about. I'm told that the place has "gone to h@!! in a handbasket" and that they wish I was back.
Well, after living off our savings, unemployment benefits (which don't go far), whatever odd jobs I could pick up and selling whatever I could get my hands on to make ends meet for a year, I got a job offer last week. The job is with another "global" automotive parts manufacturer, and it's basically the same type of job I left. It's a smaller facility, with only about 300 employees. They have several other locations around NC, and I was told that the opportunities for advancement and relocation to other facilities are unlimited (standard corporate lingo, so we'll see, since this facility is about a 90-mile drive). During my tour of the facility, I saw a LOT of opportunities for improvement, and I think I can make a major impact rather quickly (no, not the "new-broom-sweeps-clean" type). They must have been impressed by my skills and credentials, because I actually had a nice offer before I left the interview, which is extremely rare!!
Anyway, as the title of my post states, the end is near. Tomorrow morning at 8 AM, I will officially be employed once again. It’s been a long year, but we weathered it. My AWESOME wife, who retired 3 years ago to care for her mother (who is 77 and in failing health), won’t have to go back to work. A regular paycheck will mean that we can start rebuilding our savings and retirement accounts (retirement account was nearly wiped out because of the economic downturn). We won’t have to worry about how to make our mortgage payments every month, and whether or not we’ll be able to pay the utility bills. And, the best thing, I’ll once again be able to take my lovely bride out to eat at a nice restaurant once in a while!! The only upside to having the last year as a “vacation” is that I got a lot of “honeydo” projects completed, and I had a lot of time to work on my truck (doing projects that had minimal to zero costs, using parts I already had on hand).
I just want to say that through this forum I’ve had an outlet to get my mind off my problems when it got to be too much. I also know there are others of you who are in the same predicament or have had other devastating life events which you have been able to share and have received heartfelt guidance from the forum members. I wish each of you the best of luck in resolving the issues in your life, just as it appears my prayers have been answered.
I really have to say,
, as when they arrived. Second, I have the responsibility to make sure that we, as a business, are good neighbors environmentally. I want my grandchildren (whenever I get some) and everybody elses to have a clean, healty environment in which to live. 
Third, it's my job to make sure that the company complies with all Federal, State and local regulations as they apply to the environment, employee health and safety. And last, but by no means least, as an Industrial Engineer, I've always found that I get to do most of the jobs that no one else wants to do!!! 
I am going through the same thing right now after losing my job of 11.5 years in September. It wasn't even due to the economy but rather several HUGE and avoidable mistakes the owner made which has allowed their competitors to steal the market. I still have a good friend "on the inside" who reports that things are not going well at all. Breaks my heart. 
