Processing new offer - Closer to home (9/10/10)

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

 

[squirrel dog]

google V Vehicle in Louisiana , they are taking resumes and will open their new plant soon .

 

[kranky]

Engineer, I couldn't offer any opinions on the original question but now that you made your decision I want to say I think you did the right thing. I'm sorry that you have to go through this but I do believe things will work out for the best. The uncertainty you've been through can really wear a person down so getting a new start is a good idea.

I hope others learn from reading of your financial discipline. You put yourself in a position where a job loss was not going to ruin you - living below your means, having your house paid off, etc. Now you can move ahead to a new chapter without the horrendous pressure of having to jump on the first thing that comes along just to generate some income.

Oh, another vote for a large hourly consulting fee if they call you for something. Not as a "get even" thing but that's how things are done. 4 hour minimum seems fair.

 

[bruceb]

That should be 4 hours minimum + travel time & expenses to & from the site.

 

[dullard]

Good luck with your transition in life. I hope all goes well for you. In your situation, I would also have taken the severence. Family life is far more important than a big paycheck. Like you said, this is why you prepared for so long and this is why you can now have the freedom to enjoy your family.

 

[Engineer]

I'm sitting home right now, still employed for 2 to 3 weeks (Not sure my exact cut off date as I've not met with them personally yet - next week), with my wife and kids (snow day). I've made them breakfast. Right now, all is good. Next month, who knows.

I've applied for one job since I posted this...actually, the best looking job that I've seen in some time.....more of a design job (like I am vacating) instead of a factory production Engineer.

Thanks for the comments guys and gals. They were appreciated.

I wanted to add a poll but couldn't find the option to add it after the post. I guess you have to start with a poll question to get it to work, no?

Oh, and my plant manager told me to tell them $200 per hour....he said that they would have no choice but to pay it...and soon...lol!

 

[Slew Foot]

Most high level professional consultants (physicians, lawyers, accoutants) charge $3-500/hr for consultation fees. Ask in that range.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Sorry to hear that.

Damn, it's getting worse out there.

 

[Engineer]

OT: Anyone think that the current COBRA arrangement by the government (they pay 65% of your COBRA for 15 months) will be extended beyond Feb 28th? I can stay on until March 5th (one extra week of pay) but won't do so if it means that I have no chance at getting the supplement on my COBRA pay (which costs $1,150 + per month for a family plan without the 65% supplement).

I'll need to monitor the news to see if it gets extended...if not, I guess I"ll end it next Friday.

 

[rasczak]

OT: Anyone think that the current COBRA arrangement by the government (they pay 65% of your COBRA for 15 months) will be extended beyond Feb 28th? I can stay on until March 5th (one extra week of pay) but won't do so if it means that I have no chance at getting the supplement on my COBRA pay (which costs $1,150 + per month for a family plan without the 65% supplement).

I'll need to monitor the news to see if it gets extended...if not, I guess I"ll end it next Friday.

Do you need the current health plan? are they a PPO or can you go HMO? When I was in a similar situation, I was forced to pick up a health plan on my own and found an extremely affordable option with Kaiser Permanente. it was fortunate for us since our previous employer plan was trhough them as well. for a family of three I paid a little less than $300 a month.

if you are able to, you may want to look into it. They aren't everywhere, only a select few places (ca, or, hi, ga, co to name a few) but I imagine there are other hospital networks similar to kaiser near you.

 

[Engineer]

Do you need the current health plan? are they a PPO or can you go HMO? When I was in a similar situation, I was forced to pick up a health plan on my own and found an extremely affordable option with Kaiser Permanente. it was fortunate for us since our previous employer plan was trhough them as well. for a family of three I paid a little less than $300 a month.

if you are able to, you may want to look into it. They aren't everywhere, only a select few places (ca, or, hi, ga, co to name a few) but I imagine there are other hospital networks similar to kaiser near you.

Will take a look. Everything is happening so fast and I would like to be prepared just in case the Feb 28th is truly the last day. I wrote my Congressman and ask for an update to see it would be extended or just stops on the 28th.

 

[child of wonder]

13 weeks.... wow. I got less than 1/6 that when I was laid off 3 weeks ago.

 

[Engineer]

13 weeks.... wow. I got less than 1/6 that when I was laid off 3 weeks ago.

The 13 weeks was a maximum. It was 1.5 weeks for every year of service. The group of people that were let go in August 2008 had NO maximum. We had one in our plant let go with 32 years and he received 48 weeks pay.

Like I said, GM paid more than this and they were in bankruptcy. The industry average for salary workers is 2 weeks per year with a 26 week maximum (I'm sure that the average is dropping though).

We had people with 43 years experience let go yesterday and they received 13 weeks. We also had people with 30 years let go yesterday and received nothing because they were laid off before May 1, 09 and that was the cutoff date for severance. Fuck managers that do this to people...fuck them hard.

 

[Engineer]

Looks like I can get my severance AND unemployment at the same time. From the unemployment office...

"The unemployment insurance commission holds that severance pay,
regardless of when paid or manner in which paid, is not deductible. The
claimant has received a payment from the employer subsequent to
separation from employment. The evidence of record establishes the
payment received by the claimant is severance pay and is not deductible
from benefits. Rulings: The claimant: Severance pay is not deductible
and need not be reported.

 

[EagleKeeper]

FYI - I was singed in that I received a severance pay and they delayed unemployment benefits based on the pay. I still received the 26 weeks available, but because of the 4 weeks severance, the unemployment was delayed for 4 weeks.

 

[JS80]

Entitlement mentality FTL. Make your own, git your own.

Go troll somewhere else. -DrPizza

 

[Engineer]

FYI - I was singed in that I received a severance pay and they delayed unemployment benefits based on the pay. I still received the 26 weeks available, but because of the 4 weeks severance, the unemployment was delayed for 4 weeks.

It depends on the state though. KY, as the e-mail quote above indicates, bases severance based on years of service as non-deductible toward benefits (i.e. unemployment pay). I do not have to even include it when reporting any income while filing for bi-weekly unemployment benefits. If everyone had received the same lump sum of money not based on years service, it would have to be included in the reported income and would reduce unemployment benefits.

 

[Engineer]

Entitlement mentality FTL. Make your own, git your own.

Oh fuck off with the attitude. The money was paid in for 17.5 years, while I worked, as an insurance payment. I'm going to collect on the insurance while I'm looking for another job (already in progress).

 

[child of wonder]

Looks like I can get my severance AND unemployment at the same time. From the unemployment office...

Wow....I need to move out of South Dakota.

Not only is my severance pay deducted from my unemployment benefits, but there is a 1 week waiting period between when my severance ends and my benefits can begin.

 

[JS80]

Oh fuck off with the attitude. The money was paid in for 17.5 years, while I worked, as an insurance payment. I'm going to collect on the insurance while I'm looking for another job (already in progress).

who's the one with the attitude? you're the one that chose to work for a fail company expecting a trophy and lifetime severance payments

The bastards only offered severance to 22 of the 40 people because they said that the 18 were laid off too long to quality!

I'm really starting to hate executive types. Assholes like no other.

Damn, so many dedicated employees being screwed....and a terrible decision to make either way. FUCK.

 

[MotF Bane]

Sorry to hear that Engineer. Good luck.

 

[Engineer]

who's the one with the attitude? you're the one that chose to work for a fail company expecting a trophy and lifetime severance payments

I didn't expect lifetime anything asshole. With that said, I think that the people were screwed, period. Maybe you would like to tell them to their face that they got what they deserved?

Fail company? That may be true as of today but the plant opened in 1957 and the two most senior people there have 43 years each. The only reason it failed is shitty management moved in and gutted their best asset...technical people. Of course, people like you don't see them as "people", they are simply a "headcount".

This is my last response to this asshole and I suggest the rest of of do the same.

JS80...you've stated your opinion. It's noted and disagreed with. Now stay the fuck out of my thread. Thanks.

 

[Lotheron]

who's the one with the attitude? you're the one that chose to work for a fail company expecting a trophy and lifetime severance payments

Yeah, cause everyone can predict what POS management will do to a company after 15+ years of working there

 

[JS80]

You old fogies crack me up. Take a fucking page out of Gen X playbook, and don't be tied to one company for your entire life. "I worked there for 20 years" really gets old and you deserve no sympathy.

 

[CraigRT]

who's the one with the attitude? you're the one that chose to work for a fail company expecting a trophy and lifetime severance payments

Why be such a douche, seriously?

Sorry to hear about this bogus garbage happening Engineer.. I at least like to think all things happen for a reason. (sometimes hard to believe in that) At least now you'll have time to spend with your family, if nothing else.

Best of luck mate..