Wow...does it ever feel weird writing that date down!
My husband (who volunteered to be laid off last June) has decided to go back to school and become an accountant!
I know you're probably wondering why anyone would volunteer to be laid off...especially in times like these. Well, imagine working for a company that treated its employees with respect, helped foster a positive learning environment, spoiled those employees rotten with perks, constantly encouraged growth, where ethics was its foundation, AND management thought of everyone--including themselves--as a bona-fide team, plus worked to make sure that the team was happy as well as the customers. Imagine working there for 3 years in the best working environment you've ever been in...then notice that the perks are slowly being stripped away (not a big deal--the important qualities were still there)...then watch...aghast, as this wonderful company starts cutting back on staff, starts having unrealistic expectations, insists that the same work that was once done by 22 people now be done by half that many, customer service levels fall dramatically, benefits are cut out, and wages are cut. My husband was so flabbergasted at how this wonderful company that once had kindness and compassion for its workers and its customers had now turned corporate (in the space of about 1-2 years).
His health started to suffer. He wasn't sleeping and had major bouts of insomnia. He became quiet. He started gaining weight. And he started to wonder if he should get out before it got worse.
Well, another round of layoffs was happening and, after he and I had a long talk, we both decided that he should ask to be included in those layoffs. Because he made really good money, he'd be able to get about 60% of his wages going on unemployment insurance, plus I'm working full time. Luckily he had just finished paying off his line of credit the month before so aside from my monthly car payments, we have no debt. Yes, I was scared about him being out of work during this recession, but my main concern was his happiness. He was extremely unhappy and I worried about him constantly; the money just wasn't worth it.
Since then he's been looking for jobs but hasn't even had a nibble. I was getting worried that he was getting into a rut...very easy when you're home all day with a computer to keep you company. But he took this 3 week course about finding your career direction, etc and he's decided that accounting is the way to go! Accounting (and computer programming) was something he had considered years ago but kind of pushed off to the side. But this course really showed him that this is the direction he should go. And he feels it will fit--he's brilliant with numbers and has a very mathematical mind. He's going to be starting in May; it's wonderful seeing him excited about something again!!!
As for me? I'm so happy for him. I like seeing that he has direction, that he's motivated, and at last he knows what he wants. But I must admit...there is a tiny part of me that is a little apprehensive about how little time we will have together once he does start going back to school. I know he will have to spend hours upon hours studying and doing homework. But. To me, it's worth it seeing him happy again. And that's all I've ever wanted for him.
I've decided that when he's doing all his studying, this will give me more time to work on my music. And I want to start volunteering again. When I was working part time, I used to volunteer in my daughter's school library. But when I started working full time 2 1/2 years ago, I had to stop because there simply wasn't enough time to do so. Now that my beloved will be back in college, and my daughter has planned to move out August 1st of this year, I will have more time to dedicate to volunteering. I want to help out others. I want to give back. And now I will have the time to do just that.
My husband (who volunteered to be laid off last June) has decided to go back to school and become an accountant!
I know you're probably wondering why anyone would volunteer to be laid off...especially in times like these. Well, imagine working for a company that treated its employees with respect, helped foster a positive learning environment, spoiled those employees rotten with perks, constantly encouraged growth, where ethics was its foundation, AND management thought of everyone--including themselves--as a bona-fide team, plus worked to make sure that the team was happy as well as the customers. Imagine working there for 3 years in the best working environment you've ever been in...then notice that the perks are slowly being stripped away (not a big deal--the important qualities were still there)...then watch...aghast, as this wonderful company starts cutting back on staff, starts having unrealistic expectations, insists that the same work that was once done by 22 people now be done by half that many, customer service levels fall dramatically, benefits are cut out, and wages are cut. My husband was so flabbergasted at how this wonderful company that once had kindness and compassion for its workers and its customers had now turned corporate (in the space of about 1-2 years).
His health started to suffer. He wasn't sleeping and had major bouts of insomnia. He became quiet. He started gaining weight. And he started to wonder if he should get out before it got worse.
Well, another round of layoffs was happening and, after he and I had a long talk, we both decided that he should ask to be included in those layoffs. Because he made really good money, he'd be able to get about 60% of his wages going on unemployment insurance, plus I'm working full time. Luckily he had just finished paying off his line of credit the month before so aside from my monthly car payments, we have no debt. Yes, I was scared about him being out of work during this recession, but my main concern was his happiness. He was extremely unhappy and I worried about him constantly; the money just wasn't worth it.
Since then he's been looking for jobs but hasn't even had a nibble. I was getting worried that he was getting into a rut...very easy when you're home all day with a computer to keep you company. But he took this 3 week course about finding your career direction, etc and he's decided that accounting is the way to go! Accounting (and computer programming) was something he had considered years ago but kind of pushed off to the side. But this course really showed him that this is the direction he should go. And he feels it will fit--he's brilliant with numbers and has a very mathematical mind. He's going to be starting in May; it's wonderful seeing him excited about something again!!!
As for me? I'm so happy for him. I like seeing that he has direction, that he's motivated, and at last he knows what he wants. But I must admit...there is a tiny part of me that is a little apprehensive about how little time we will have together once he does start going back to school. I know he will have to spend hours upon hours studying and doing homework. But. To me, it's worth it seeing him happy again. And that's all I've ever wanted for him.
I've decided that when he's doing all his studying, this will give me more time to work on my music. And I want to start volunteering again. When I was working part time, I used to volunteer in my daughter's school library. But when I started working full time 2 1/2 years ago, I had to stop because there simply wasn't enough time to do so. Now that my beloved will be back in college, and my daughter has planned to move out August 1st of this year, I will have more time to dedicate to volunteering. I want to help out others. I want to give back. And now I will have the time to do just that.




