Not a happy week in the Ashbless household. After 18 years working for the same company, Mr Ashbless has been told he's one of the 1100 IT people they're making redundant this time round.
Arse.
We've got several friends in similar positions. The IT industry seems to be dying on its feet. Don't go into computing, kids: stick to plumbing.
Anyway, we're not in the financial mire just yet, but it seems inevitable that we'll have to relocate. This is really upsetting for us. We love our house and the place we live. But I doubt we can stay put.
We're currently thinking New Zealand.
Oh, Janine :(. I'm really sorry to hear this. The Mr works in IT too - has survived 2 rounds of redundancies but there are likely to be more announced next month. The uncertainty is awful, but not quite as bad as the certainty of knowing you've lost your job.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed that you find something that works out brilliantly for you both xx.
I'm so sorry to hear that, Janine. Please send Mr Ashbless a hug from me.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you find wonderful things wherever you end up - whether that's just where you are or in NZ (wow, that would be an amazing place to go.)
And yes, arse. I've friends coming round tonight, one of whom is in IT. He got made redundant last week.
xxx
Oh, no! I'm sorry to hear that Janine. So relieved that Mr Madelynne got out of IT when he did, since it seems to be taking a major hit at the moment.
ReplyDeleteRelocating to NZ would be very cool.
So that's what they call it over there - redundant? Lovely term. A good friend of mine is out of work as of yesterday. He's none too happy. And my husband is in the publishing biz, which is doing as well as IT.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this news.
I'm so sorry, Janine! Best wishes for a bright, fresh start.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good wishes everyone. I'm touched. At the moment I'm just trying to be as supportive to Mr Ashbless as possible. He's not a big fan of change or uncertainty, so it's going to be interesting dealing with the next few months!
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing lesson in global economics isn't it, seeing so many people hit all over the world? Fingers crossed for your Mr, Justine - And Robin's too.
It's been raining all day. Pathetic fallacy anyone? ;-)
That sucks so much, Janine- so sorry to hear. Had no idea that IT was so precarious at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThis might be totally stupid of me to say, and Mr Ashbless may have no interest in it whatsoever, but colleges are ALWAYS looking for IT lecturers. My college is right at this moment.
Janine, my sympathies and empathies to you and your Mr. Three of my close friends have been laid off (our redundancy) in the past month alone. I too send best wishes for a happy landing down the road, ASAP.
ReplyDeleteI loved your plumbing comment. When my Mr and I worked for a small publisher years back, we were often visited by starry-eyed comics fans, many of whom wanted to know how they too could make a living in comicdom. We told them "Go to plumbing school!"
Thanks Charlotte and Susan. Mr Ashbless says all your wishes are very kind and are appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWe're off to spend the weekend with friends now ... I suspect we may sup a glasses and try to drown our sorrows, or at the very least teach 'em to swim.
Damn. Can't emigrate to NZ - how would I manage without my friends?
Ugg. That’s horrible news Janine. We went through this last year with Mr Wintersinger and his job, so I have a pretty good idea how you’re both feeling right now.
ReplyDeleteI know it sounds terribly cliché and everything, but you know how the old saying goes - whenever fate closes a door, it opens a window. I’m sure that things will turn around for you soon.
*hugs*
Oh, rats, Janine! Sorry to hear this. I do hope things swing upwards with the least amount of crappy life interruptions. Sending you my best wishes.
ReplyDeleteDamn. Sorry to hear this, Janine.
ReplyDeleteAs an IT guy who has watched many friends get cut, I feel for you. I had a team of ten in the height of the dot com boom, now there is just me.
I don't know Mr. Ashbless' specialty, but there are still opportunities out there, even in this difficult economy. One of my former employees just got a job, and another who found a six month contract at the end of last year has a good line on something permanent.
I don't think IT is dying, just shifting, and trimming in the "sucky economy" (an industry term.) Keep an open mind.
You're lovely, guys.
ReplyDeleteWe are feeling better now - Sunday night - having spent a weekend with knowledgeable friends who rallied round to help Mr Ashbless write his first CV in 18 years and to reassure him. Change is uncomfortable, but not inevitably a bad thing.
We hold each other up.
I'm so sorry. :( I hope you can make this a positive new chapter and that there are good times ahead Mr Ashbless. Redundancy in the family here, too, tough times.
ReplyDeleteMy best wishes to your family then too, Saskia.
ReplyDeleteCrap Janine. My husband's currently working two extra days a month, for free.
ReplyDeleteBut he manages an off licence, and I hear that's recession proof. We'll see.
Good luck - I hear Norway has huge oil reserves and no recession?