I was a manager in our consulting department, part of a large, public, world-wide company build by acquisitions. One year I not only managed 15 people, but also handled a full set of projects, being about 90% billable (goal was 62%). I worked unreimbursed overtime. I earned an award. I was an “investment” employee. My reviews by co-workers were all glowing and high on the number scale. I met all my goals. I took care of little things and big things. I met business internal metrics. Then the economy tanked, and workload suffered, the pipeline dried up, thanks in part to Sales and Marketing folks putting all eggs in one or two baskets and neglecting local markets. Our local office depended on trickle down from a larger office, and we had little local client diversity. Sharing workload between offices quickly dried up along with the economy. My boss, who had enjoyed four years of getting to work late and taking Fridays off because I covered the office, called me in late September 2009 and said I was being laid off. My direct reports wished I stayed and he was let go, but my boss was liked by a regional manager. I had some idea things were heading this way, but surely not me, a person so dedicated to the company, liked by direct reports, and with really good performance. Do I regret not going around my boss and trying to outmaneuver him for the local manager position? I did at first, but then HE got laid off about a month later, and most of the remaining professional folks went part-time and are now being managed by a distant office. The whole thing just went downhill. Other offices have suffered the same fate. So, here I am, over 50, great at what I do, kids in college, and no job yet as of January 2010. I have never been unemployed before and I search every day, looking and networking. My only regret is that I didn’t act sooner to start looking for another job. My suggestion to all – always have a Plan B. Be professional where you work now, do your best, be loyal to yourself, and always be looking.

This post was submitted by Mark.

I arrived at work one morning and my key didn’t work in the lock. I banged on the door, as I could see colleagues inside. No one came to the door. I called from my cellphone and got the owner–”yea, he said, I have made some changes and we don’t need you any more.” That was it, no letter, no severence, nothing.

This post was submitted by John.

My husband and I worked for the same company, he for almost 4 years and myself for almost 3. This past Wednesday, we were both laid off at the same time due to the economical downturn in the housing industry. With a 4 year old son, and Christmas knocking on the door, I am trying to find the sense in why this happened to us. We were fortunate enough to make it through past lay offs before, but what would make it acceptable to a company to put an entire family out of work and not try to hold on to at least one of them?? I wonder if anyone even lost any sleep at night knowing that they were about to choose my entire family’s fate, as I know I have every night so far. We were both told in the past that we were considered great assets to the company, but then learned all too quickly that we were not. I am hoping and praying that this will pass quickly and we will both be able to find jobs. Thank you very much to our former employer for a very Merry Christmas.

This post was submitted by Hope.

Look this recession environment is the best thing to happen to me. The job I had was killing me. I mean this literally. If you have ever work in a foundry you know what I’m talking about. I had worked in this environment for 13yrs. I didn’t know how to quit. Then the economy got bad. Things are bad I’ll agree to that. But we need to realize it’s the greed and thinking we need so much that got us here. We need to realize the blessings that the lord has given us. I went though was bad times the past few years. I see now that the lord was showing me how to live responsible. So now I’m happier than ever. I have no great needs. I’m not worried about money. And I have time to live. Not just run the rat race maze for the man.

This post was submitted by jeff.

Well, where do i begin…when you think and are made to think that your are safe, YOU ARE NOT! that is what happened to me at a well known law firm that does personnal injury. I gave them my all, sometimes staying late and coming in on holidays. The girls there were very contradicting and gossipers. I was the total opposite. They talked about everyone in the building, but themselves, as if they were a gift to that lawfirm. They were engulfed in their work and expected that from everyone else. The job was full of stress and deadlines, but i liked the suspense, the manager and I got along well, so i thought i was safe. Little did I know that one of the girls had enough power to get me fired. One month before I got fired, they were purposely finding things to accuse me with, that had no merit, but careless me went ahead and signed a lease to a new house TWO weeks before those heartless people threw me out, mind you they knew I just signed a lease so that my son and I can get out of my mothers tight home.

Don’t ever get comfortable in a place and always keep your resume up to date because people never warn you, and they don’t care.

This post was submitted by Ana.