On one hand, I will definitely welcome two days without having to go into work and spend at least eight hours stressing and jumping at every sound until it's time to go home.
On the other hand, the same will continue after the weekend, so relaxing and recharging batteries doesn't seem realistic. More likely, it'll just be two more days of constant worrying.
Can this be over already?
I can't believe it is still going on for people. Really sorry to hear that and mad about it. On Tuesday morning my team was informed the layoffs are done for us, I was thankful to know and not have to worry any longer.
I know it is hard but maybe try to think about different techniques to avoid transferring the feeling of fear and insecurity around the kids as this is going on......there will be other options....I know so many people that have been let go, and I have had to inform at least 10 folks over the past few years....all of them have landed jobs.
Anything is possible, even if you are let go you will find something else....and who knows you could even be back at GM someday if the opportunity presents itself.....use it as fodder for the mill that makes you stronger....who knows the future for us or our children but showing strength that you will be better at the end of this and having unwavering faith that you will persevere may help. It will certainly help the children as they face these similar challenges of life changes in the future.
For the spouse with the little children: MY SO has spent 40 years in the auto industry at two different OEMs. our family has been through at least a half dozen RIFs -- some deeper than this one. We have been on both sides of the RIF. My advice to those of you with small kids is this. In every crisis there are the adult issues and the kid issues. Sometimes they are not the same.
You are totally justified in being stressed and worried for your future and for the toll this is taking on your spouse. Sometimes this translates into the oddest worries in you kids. One RIF, our son somehow got worried that he wasn't going to get to go to kindergarten (of all things!) We wen t to K-mart about bought him a backpack and assured him that come September he would be in kindergarten. Another time our daughter was worried that we wouldn't get to spend a week up North. (the vacation was already paid for so I could assure her that come what may the camping week was going to happen.
This is REALLY tough for you and your family --you are TOUGHER. I have been there. During past RIFs, I would dig deep and say to my spouse (and myself) "We had a life before GM and I will be there to have that life with you after GM." I am am very blessed to be able to say that we do.
Good luck!
Yes please—from a spouse here!! Even our small kids are feeling it. One is regressing into baby behavior, the other is clinging and crying. They feel it too. For God’s sake, TELL US!!!!!!!!!!