Like so many of you, I was once fearful that I would be let go. I watched this site like a hawk, trying to extrapolate any useful information that seemed credible. I kept thinking of what it would mean to lose my job. The worry of no longer being able to provide for my family scared me. It crippled me to extent. I came to work it’s so much stress and anxiety. I thought I was becoming paranoid when I took notice of little inconsistencies in my department. My director avoided eye contact and the visits and department staff meetings canceled. Work reassignments and a abrupt mistake in communication about a job function being taken over. The quiet clicking of keyboards and mice and the ocassional whisper was all anyone heard. Smiles were replaced by empty expressions. We all knew this time was different. Then on Tuesday October 23, Special Agents were everywhere. Then shortly before noon, I was asked to pack my things. I was then taken to a co green eyed room, read a statement, asked for my contact info and escorted out. I kinda had a feeling this was going to happen so when it finally did, I felt a little relieved. I felt that at least now I can leave this toxic environment, and move on. I immediately home, told the wife, ate lunch and spent the rest of the day with my family. The next day was all resume building and job searching. I leveraged friendships and networking and I swear as god is my witness, landed a job the first week of November. I stayed focused and positive. I used being layed off as a motivation. It allowed new doors to open. New opportunities presented themselves. Employers know what UPRR is doing is wrong. They want us! They see our value. They know it was not because we were poor performers. They know! Channel your anger. Don’t let this get you down. Believe me it will get better. If you are given a severance option, take it. Use the career placement services. It helped! But know you will be fine. All of you will one way or another. I love my new job. I no longer worry. I’m no longer stressed. And I am being given lots of responsibility and respect. I’m finally in a position where I can lead! You can be too. Get your resume ready. Have it on standby. Trust me. You will be glad you did. And if those b--tards at UPRR let you go. Thank them. Because they just helped you on your path to something better. I’ll see you out there. Good luck and god speed.
5 replies (most recent on top)
Solid post. Totally accurate.
If youre in the glass palace equipped with single ply and you dont see yourself outside of up, you are either delusional, high on yourself, married to a coworker or making far more money than youre worth and have no sensitivity to pain.
Up is a toxic cesspool and no amount of psr or culture change will fix it. I would hate to be "that guy" trying to put 30 years in, be totally unhappy and miserable during the prime of your life, only to retire, then croak within a year of pulling the pin.
If you live like that, up owns your soul. That "life" maybe existed decades ago when up might have been a respectible employer.
Ignore the trolls. I’ll check back here from time to time and reassure you it will be fine. Yes, it’s easy for everyone to say, but the people that matter to you truly believe it. It hurts them to see you stressed. So lean on them. Let them help. Take them up on offers. It’s not charity, it’s your friend, your sister, brother, mom, dad, grandparents, son, daughter, neighbor or even, the boss who had to tell you the bad news. I saw the tears in my bosses eyes. He helped me afterwards with whatever he could. Remember lots of upper management don’t agree or support what’s going on. But they too have families to protect and support. And the others? Use them. Don’t burn bridges! Resist the urge and rise up above this. You are a professional. Which is what got you hired at UPRR. It will do the same again, I promise. And when you find that next gig (because you will), come here and tell everyone that it was hard, that it s---s, that it hurts, but that you are happier and stronger and wiser. Because friends, let me tell you. I AM! See you out there.
Thanks for sharing, this helped me a lot.
I've been so depressed lately. These trolls are getting to me and I just want it to stop.
Great advice. I am a current UP employee and have been looking for work elsewhere for the past several months. I've declined offers from other employers on the hopes that things turn around but as every day ends I feel like UP will be doing me a favor by letting me go. Some really talented electricians with a vast amount of knowledge have retired early and some other hard working talented fresh blood has left before their first year. Union Pacific is earning a reputation as a place no one wants to work and locomotives need to be maintained and fixed. Best of luck to all those affected.
Sorry for the typos. My 2 year old kept grabbing at my phone. Lol