I ran into a guy who used to work in IT but left about six months ago. He seems like a different person. He left for a lower-paying job but he still says he would make the same move again in a heartbeat. He said he's working for a smaller company with a much better company culture and he seems genuinely happy and satisfied. I admit, I'm happy for him but I'm also envious. I've been wanting to leave but I can't find something that pays well enough for me to accept the offer. I wish I could do what he did but financially, I'm stuck.
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When you were a baby you learnt to stand on your own legs.You didnt wait for this companies approval / recognition to stand up.
Move on with confidence .
I will give the same advice I gave to my kids and grandkids. If you are laid off consider going into the trades, sure you will have a learning curve - 5 years to become good, but you will be paid while you are learning, never worry about another layoff and can be self employed, have less stress and make more money. Plumber, Electrician, HVAC, Welder, pick something you like and enjoy your life. All these trades have shortages and will have more as the boomers retire.
The university educations have gotten way to expensive for what they provide. The curriculum has d-mbed down dramatically since the 70s/80s. Profit and politics over learning. One of my nieces is a college prof in CA. The “loyalty” pledge she was required to sign was eerily similar to the anti-communism pledges from decades ago.
When there are significant layoffs there are no winners. In my career, which includes companies prior to Ford, I have been through six rounds of mass layoffs. Initially you’re conflicted. You’re heartbroken for the friends and coworkers who lost their jobs but also relieved to still have your job. Then reality sets in. That 25% had responsibilities, even slackers do a bit of work, and those responsibilities fall on the desks of the remaining. Most of the time there’s no time for a transition.
When companies have mass layoffs and don’t evaluate processes and work redundancies those left standing are buried with additional responsibilities and stress. Companies aren’t eliminating people because they don’t have enough work, they’re eliminating people because they’ve decided how much money they want to save and cut enough people to hit that number. The work remains and the lack of planning leads to even more quality issues.
How much more convincing from the board and elsewhere that the infinite misery and stress in working at Ford just isn't worth it? You may be surprised at how close you come to your Ford income because it probably isn't all that great anymore comparatively speaking. Have you even tried looking at your expenses to see what you can cut back on to make your dream a reality? You might also be surprised with this as well.
I don't know where you're at in your career but a lifetime of career misery can be brutal in trying to get across the finish line. I only have a few years to go, but it might as well be 100, given how much I hate hate turning the computer on everyday and how much more difficult my job is from the day prior.
Also consider this. If you're left standing at the end of all of this, how much of the remaining work will come your way?? And how much more will you have to take on top of that when you realize more work because the incapables and incompetents left won't handle their share? I'm not sure if it will be better to get let go or be retained, given both have about equally bad outcomes.
I left almost 15 years ago after spending my first 6 years after college with Ford. I have not had a single minute that I regretted leaving and I doubt I ever will. Those of you that get the boot this time around will all land better off in the long run.