End Of Days Compensation Packages? 80
Waiting for the Axe to Fall asks: "I work for a larger webhosting company that has plans to consolidate one of its west coast data centers with an east coast location which they already have in place. Forget that this is a bad idea in terms of geographical redundancy--it is going to happen. The company did inform all west coast employees about the move, roughly a year in advance. This was done Im sure to ease the shock and fear of loosing ones job. This affects a small group (8-9) of employees, all of whom are tied up in operations and the data center specifically. If you were in this situation (as one of the employees), what would you require/want/wish for in this retention plan? The benefits of staying with the company, until the end, must out weight the risk of being jobless; or is this not the path you would choose? Would you leave as soon as the announcement was made?"
"As employees, the group decided to go to management and request a 'retention plan' of sorts. This is a contract that outlines specific benefits to stay with the company through the move, and help getting the systems across the country without service interruption. The support of these few is a requirement, due to the vast array of legacy and non standard systems. The job could otherwise be done with consultants, however going this route would take substantially longer, and would be at a much greater cost to the company. So, it is truly in their best interests to have the staff that has managed these systems for the past 5-8 years stick it out."
Keep your job! (Score:5, Funny)
Actually... (Score:5, Funny)
You must be at least this smart to ride this ride (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Actually... (Score:1)
Re:Keep your job! (Score:2)
I can't see the grammar flaws. I have been reading
Where is my copy of LOTR.
Comment removed (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Here's an idea (Score:1)
Re:Here's an idea (Score:1)
I mean, honestly, that's so cliche that even the first-on-the-scene news reports are going to start with "another".
I think the small "6 to 8 people" number opens the doors to something we haven't seen (much? at all?) before: corporate branch mass suicide. It also shows off your cleverness and people skills. After all, anyone can be a "crazed gunman", but it's another level entirely to be a "leader of a psychotic cult". Add the corporate element and the just-blooming job-loss angle, and you'v
Re:Here's an idea (Score:2)
Re:Here's an idea (Score:1)
Re:Here's an idea (Score:2)
email me at coastalnet.com
Re:Here's an idea (Score:2)
And that was the origin of the neologism "to go (web)hostal".
Tell them that by staying you are running a larger (Score:5, Insightful)
jobs are easy on the east coast (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm a J2EE dev who moved from Seattle to Florida for family reasons.
At first I was a little worried about work since Florida isn't really known for IT. Technologically, it was like going backwards in time about 10 years.
Once my resume hit the market, I got non-stop calls from headhunters. Most of the jobs here are for banks, insurance, and DoD. So, now I'm getting double my previous salary, full (better) benefits, and a much lower cost of living. I'm renting a large lake front house for about the same as my previous apartment.
But, like all things, there is a down side.
Rednecks, everywhere
Good luck finding a bookstore (don't these people read?)
I used to be the dev with upper-middle talent, now I'm the top talent
Mass transit sucks. I used to read while commuting, now that time is lost driving
Everything is a long drive
If you are a developer, and you are willing to move east, ask your company for a 20% raise and moving expenses. Also, update your resume and put it on the market.
Here is what is happening. Your comapany wants to move you because it will save them money. They are planning on canning you after completion. It won't happen. Good talent is so rare on the east coast that you'll be able to stay comfortably.
An example of how hard it is to find good devs here:
My company recently brought in a new girl for "front-end" work. She didn't know HTML (not even the basics), she didn't know how to program in "any" language. I sent her to do an online tutorial, and said to just use notepad and the browser. She came back with a problem dragging the file to the browser window. She was trying to drag "notepad" into the browser. This, for $45/hour ?!?! She managed to last a month before getting moved out. I last heard that she's working as a business analyst at an insurance company.
Being employed on the east coast is not an issue. Whether or not you want to live and work here is.
This is just the opinion of a developer.
IT janitors, whoops, I mean system admins, program managers, etc... YMMV
Re:jobs are easy on the east coast (Score:1)
All you need is one good gem on your resume, to let everyone know that you're actually a developer, as opposed to someone limited to MSOffice macros and WYSIWYG web design software.
Of course, you'll also likely end up using obselete technology in most places. *cough* VB6 *cough*
Re:jobs are easy on the east coast (Score:2)
Re:jobs are easy on the east coast (Score:3, Funny)
screw you.
Re:jobs are easy on the east coast (Score:1)
Re:jobs are easy on the east coast (Score:1)
You sir, are an idiot... (Score:2)
First, i'll state the obvious to your clueless and idiot self, its your company stupid. If you have incompetent managers that can't hire the right persons, then its fully on them, not the "east coast". I mean, unless you are padding or making up the story, which competent person would hire someone as a programer, and a high salary, without any experience? Hey, it might even fall on you, on all the companies i've worked for, we've had peer interviews of can
generalizations not good... (Score:2)
A common generalization is most people in the north east are pretty thick skinned. Your offense at an old joke shows that some people there are actually very sensitive.
Hmmm, its also interesting how you attack me more than the issues I raised (ahh, refreshing, lovely name calling, mmm, mmm, good).
God knows I would rather be somewhere else.
As for this company, well, I'm not going to defend them. I agree with the opinion of them. When I worked in
Re:generalizations not good... (Score:1)
Didn't you bother to go to his website? I think it's obvious that he's the best developer the east coast has to offer.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:You sir, are an idiot... (Score:1)
Grammar? Spelling? You're still employed? Q.E.D.
Re:You sir, are an idiot... (Score:2)
Re:jobs are easy on the east coast (Score:1)
9/11 trashed the economy in the NE, but not forever.
I live just across the river from Ground Zero, and worked about 25 blocks uptown at the time. 9/11 wasted my company and I was unemployed for 6 months afterwards. You'll note the past tense. I've survived a layoff since then as well. You need to know when to jump. If you've got the skills and experience you eventually find work - as long as you make an effort to stay current while you're out of work.
Re:Tell them that by staying you are running a lar (Score:1)
find a job now (Score:1)
You could always... (Score:2)
Re:You could always... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:You could always... (Score:1)
I believe... (Score:4, Funny)
More important than you would think (Score:3, Insightful)
In the end everyone is dead. So far living to 100 is rare, and there are no verified cases of anyone living to 150. (Your religion may list some who have in the past, and other rumors exists). It is unlikely that medical science will make your immortal in your lifetime. You can freeze your body, but why would the next generation unfreeze your body and restore you to life - if they even can?
So you need to keep perspective. Find the right religion, and serve it correctly (assuming one exists), and ca
Cover your COBRA (Score:3, Interesting)
I'd suggest that you get them to cover their end of things for a long period after the end, along with other benefits, in addition to whatever else you want. It may ease your transition somewhat.
Also, a personal appeal to your manager may be in order for help lining up jobs. Be polite and helpful, no matter what you decide, because they feel obligated to help, and you don't want to be the last one in line.
Re:Cover your COBRA (Score:2)
How About (Score:5, Insightful)
A "Stay to the Bitter End" Bonus - Approximately an additional 4 weeks of salary or $10,000 for those who stay until the very last day they are needed.
Immediate release from all restrictions in your employee agreement with regards to working for competitors.
Verification that the conditions of your termination will allow you to collect unemployement.
Find a new job now. Tell the hiring managers that your bonuses will keep you at your current position until the closing date. Don't fret about taking an hour here or there to interview; it's expected. Besides, they're already going to let you go soon. They need you and they're not going to fire you. It's time for you to start thinking about greener pastures.
Later, if they hire you back (and it may happen), offer to do so for a 25% raise, but settle for no less than 10%. If you don't have a new job, don't let them know about it. Your new "consulting" position prevents you from speaking about it.
Re:How About (Score:2)
Re:Demand Cheese (Score:1)
And a pony.
WTF? (Score:3, Insightful)
This is a calculated slash and consolidate move - it's obvious they're trying to fatten the bottom line. No blame there. But you got to take care of yourself - look for another job now... and see if you can time it with the end of your current.
I was able to adjust my start date on a new job so I could finish up a major project in my old job and leave it in good hands. I didn't want to fark my old employeer, nor the good people I worked with, just because I decided the owner was a tool.
The company I work with now thought that it was commendable and appreciated the effort. Probably in hopes I do the same for them given I would be moving on down the road.
Short of it - find work for you, not work for now.
The important thing (Score:4, Insightful)
Lets be fair here (Score:3, Interesting)
HP recently had severance that I took advantage of. 2 months +2 weeks per year of service, 5 months minimum 14 month maximum. I thought that was quite fair.
As for leaving- if they offer you severance, I'd stay until the end date, but start looking for a job before it ends. If they don't, look immediately. Also, if they offer severance, take a vacation between jobs. Its well worth it.
No offence, but take what you can grab. (Score:3, Insightful)
Otherwise, look for another job today. They're laying you off, man. There is no fanfare, they're not crying a river. You're not keeping the red stapler. The company's life will go on. Mainstream corporations, even moderate sized ones, can be quite soul less.
On the other hand, if you stick around, you can pick up a whole lot of supplies. Need about a dozen monitors?
What Happens when the Writing is on the Wall (Score:5, Interesting)
Sounds like a lot of IT workers' dream job, right? But the general attitude is not a good one. You can forget about being motivated to find a new job. A couple of months of coming in to play solitaire, and you're barely motivated to get up to take the two hour lunch. The most common topics of conversation are how many days are left and wouldn't it be nice to be the one guy that gets to keep his job. No new projects to add to your resume. If you're lucky, you get to list "decommissioning" as something you did at this job. What an accomplishment. It takes five thoughtless seconds to power down a server running the product of ten years' loving work. If that's what you want out of your final months with your employer, then read no further.
But if you want to use this time postively, here's my advice. Get your resume together and start interviewing ASAP. See if you can get your current employer to give you a paper promotion now - it may help you get a foot in the door at other firms to have a more important-sounding title. Tell any company that makes you an offer about the severance package, to see if they'll match it, or at least give you something as a signing bonus. Even if you don't get the bonus, if you like the new place, go. Now. If the prospects outside look slim, talk to the dreaded East Coast management team. Find out if there are any opportunities for you to go out there. If nothing else, showing initiative in that way may get them to throw you some additional work, or a leadership role in the decommissioning. The key is to stay motivated, stay focused. Delete the games from your PC. If there are people in your group who are going to stay with the company, talk to them, find out what new projects are going on, if there's anything you can do to help.
Above all, don't let yourself be fooled into thinking that because you're on the chopping block, you're not worth anything. That's what all those negative behaviors I mentioned before are all about. "They think I suck, they don't expect anything out of me, so I'm going to suck, and I'm not going to do anything." If you get trapped into that cycle, it may take longer for you to recover than your severance package can carry you. Just don't fall into the trap.
So, to sum up, do what you need to do to stay motivated and enthusiastic. If decommissioning projects are what you love, stay, and be happy about it. Enjoy your severance. But if you need to have new and engaging projects to work on, I would advise you to get out as soon as you possibly can, severance or not.
Re:What Happens when the Writing is on the Wall (Score:3, Informative)
I'll add to the above that you can either be IN CONTROL or OUT OF CONTROL. Guess which one is the loser?
Damn troglodytes have ruined my spelling (Score:2)
Re:What Happens when the Writing is on the Wall (Score:1)
The worst thing you can do is hang around in a de-moviated environment - yeah its great to slack off and take it easy. But unfortunately that attitude gets carried into your next job interview - therefore your next job will also be in an office that is de-moviated - get the picture?
Actually de-moviated offices CAN provide opportunities! Always have a positive attitude in your de-moviated office and you will really shine - I myself got a promotion to a manager with a couple of de-
Bail out.... unless they sweeten the pot. (Score:1)
From past experience (Score:4, Informative)
Mine did something similar (Score:2)
This is simple (Score:2)
Start looking for a full time job tomorrow.
When you find one - tell them that your company has said that on (X) day they will give you what you got above, and if the new company can give you anything to get you to leave earlier.
There is also the incentive that for a cool, new, full time job - you will just not even bother with the above step, and leave right away. That is the risk that the company takes negotiating a low severan
Start a company (Score:2, Interesting)
Unless you know for a fact that you are in an area with a skills shortage, never stay to the end. It will always say on your CV "lacked the imagination and skills to do something else", and if a future employer is looking for people with a highly developed sense of loyalty - is that really your kind of employer?
Confession - I have only
I guess (Score:2)
right?
Use the time they gave you (Score:2)
Same issue; I'm leaving (Score:2)
Who cares (Score:2)
You're very lucky you got a year's notice. Take advantage of that to find your new position with lots of time to spare. If you find one before the year's up, leave. They clearly don't care about your future, stop caring about thiers. The only time compensation packages are really appropriate or neccesary is in the case of layoffs without much notice (say, less than 3 months notice). No reasonable compensation package from your company is going to make up for sticking it out to the end. You're much bet
Re:Who cares (Score:2)
Basically... (Score:3, Insightful)
1.) Give them a pay raise for their remaining time - This will help ensure they won't randomly bail for a higher paying job.
2.) Pay out all remaining sickdays, vacation days they have left at end of period at 1.5x normal rate. - This gives them a reason to *NOT* use their vacation/sickdays.
3.) Severance bonus equal to 3 months of pay. - This gives them a "good" ammount of time to look for another job without having to take something that will cut them off from working for you.
4.) Buy them on the job lunch, dinner on a set day reguarly. - It's a good moral booster for people so they know the company cares and is trying.
5.) Give them written recommendations for their next job that is *GLOWING*. - Once the job is done, write a custom, glowing review of them so it's easier for them to get their next job... if anyone calls, tell them how it was, that these guys were the best of the best and stuck it out till the dead last for the benefit of the company and customer and how much you appreciated their dedication.
6.) If possible offer them the ability to move to the new datacenter in a similar or upgraded compacity, with paid move and assistance finding a home/appartment.
Is this a cheap route? No. If you're serious though this is the *right* route. I've had pretty much exactly this shy the offer to move (it was a department closure, we were redundant after a buyout and they were already over staffed.) Everyone of us worked till last day, all of us moved on to better paying jobs, and the all of the things that were done made this possible. Everyone was sad about leaving, it was alot of fun the last few months, even though there was a melloncoly overtone.
Guarenteed reduced salary+benefits for 12 months (Score:1)
Figure out how much it costs to live at your current standard of living, not counting saving for retirement, vacations, and other luxuries.
Insist that they pay this amount every month for 12 months after termination, less any bonuses or additional compensation they give you in the meantime, and less any income other members of your
Keep the job! (Score:1)
The convenience of having a paycheck while you're job hunting outweighs the convenience of scheduling interviews on an empty schedule.
Besides, you now get to tell your boss you're using a vacation day to go job hunting, and not feel embarassed by it!
A new job much better then any comp package (Score:1)
Get it all up front (Score:2)
I don't know whether these people are honorable but they're obviously stupid enough to think that the lesson of InterNIC isn't "geographical redundancy good" but "it's better to be lucky than to
Re:Get it all up front (Score:2)
Speaking of stupid, that should be directNIC, not InterNIC.
Priorities in need of adjustment.. (Score:2)
I can't think of a better story to tell prospective employers after your undying loyalty to the current organization is rewarded by being kicked to the curb. I know when I'm hiring quality staff, thats exactly the so
This happened to me. (Score:2)
As they say in the fighter pilot business... (Score:1)