The oddest week

I swear this has been the oddest week and it isn’t even done. We were warned a few weeks ago that big changes were going to be made at work, and so we knew layoffs were coming. The announcement yesterday came as no real shock. I had already survived 2 rounds and knew my team wouldn’t make the third.

So the ceo launches into his soliloquy about the betterment for the company and honoring the employees who were laid off in previous rounds, and I’ve never been so glad to work from home as I couldn’t stop rolling my eyes. Minutes after the meeting was done I get my notice for a quick meet with my boss. I have this feeling of calm. I expected this. I’m not ready with an offer for another job, but I know the severance package is good and I would have some time. Only to find out that yes, I’m being laid off, but 6 months in the future.

When my boss told me, I’ll be honest, I laughed. A mixture of relief of another 6 months of guaranteed income plus a generous severance? I’m not even close to complaining as so many of my peers have their last day tomorrow. My boss was startled to say the least but I think she understood. After all, she’s in the same boat.

The thing is, we have nothing to do. We are being kept around to keep the lights on, but truly there is no one home. The platform is running on bare bones. I can make the best of it by using the time to train on different programs, but I’m a bit worried I’m going to be bored.