Part 5: My career at Unisys and the constant fear & threat of layoffs.

Well, it’s been 2 months since my last “note” (blog entry). Thought I would update everyone.

Here is what I wrote as a status update on June 19th:

‘Too wiped out to type anything today, still wrapping things up from yesterday’s news. Will add long winded boring blog entry later. The outsourcing deal was cancelled/denied at very last minute by someone more senior than previous middle mgmt approvals. So, I was laid off after 29 yrs with the company. NBD. Thank you all for your support these last 4 months. [I did get my severance].”

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Today’s thoughts:

Seems like my nine lives at Unisys have finally run their course. Used up all 9 lives over the yrs. Thought I would fall feet first this time as well due to the outsourcing deal that was being prepared for me in May and early to mid June, but on the day that I was to be “laid off/transferred/outsourced”, TM had to call me with the bad news. Thought the call was merely a contract signing formality but seems like TM got a call from someone higher than the people who had previously approved the outsourcing deal, and whomever it was, they said no. TM was very apologtic – he is the nicest man/manager. I don’t hold any ill will toward him and wish him well. He’s got a tough job these days.

say la vie. (ok, sue me – I don’t know how to spell it – and too lazy to look it up – darn it).

So, it’s been about 6 weeks now, and I’ve had 2 job interviews (one of them before the layoff date), which is good, but with no call backs or job offers. A couple of recruiters are aware of me and my skills. They’re the ones that got me the interviews.

As noted above, got my severance, but wasn’t as much as I was hoping for – due to my leaving for UHG in ’95 and then being outsourced back into “U” 4 months later (long story). But, apparently, they only count your most recent re-hire date, instead of your original hire date. So, I got roughly half of what I would have gotten if I hadn’t left for UHG 13 yrs ago. No matter.

I learned today, my former offshore team is now going to report to RV,in Plymouth [MI]. He’s a former mgr/mentor of mine – that is good news for them.

So, I’m out there hitting the bricks, looking online for remedy developer positions, got a lead from a friend in DC. Not sure if I’m ready to relocate yet, but if I did, DC would be a nice, interesting place to live. Thanks, Shaema.

A lot of my fellow co-workers were laid off a few weeks after me – a lot from Plymouth (MI), and BlueBell, etc. Even a former boss of mine [BQ] in Roseville (MN). It’ll be interesting to see next yr’s annual report and see exactly how many were let go this yr.

My dad was laid off from a white collar job (equipment leasing/finance) around the early to mid 70’s when he was in his 40’s. Took him awhile to find something, but he recovered.

Not losing hope yet, WAY too early for that. Got many more companies out here that use Remedy – just need to get my foot in the door for an interview.

Had lunch with TLA 2 weeks ago, and am meeting with SD for lunch this week. Hadn’t seen TLA for 9 months (on his newest boat last fall) – he’s doing really well at USB.

See you (“on the radio”).