Guess I have to change my user name since I just got laid off...

So yesterday my boss informs me that I will no longer be working for Capitol Honda, they have to let someone go since we are so slow and that someone is me. Never mind that we are a small shop with 3 techs and the guy they are keeping instead of me:
1oesn't produce hours like I do
2: Isn't as well trained or hold the certifications I do
3: Has health problems that seem to keep him from work a couple days every few weeks
4: Hasn't been with the company even half the time I had been
5: Only makes $2 an hour less than I did, but since we are 100% commission the company only pays if we are working.
6: Has a tendency to be the first guy to bail if we get slow or he's unmotivated

When I brought up all these points to my former boss he didn't even provide any reasons for why he made the decision to cut me instead of the other guy just said that was the decision he came to. It would be easier to stomach if I had effed up in some way, or done something that cost the company a bunch of money but I did nothing wrong, was routinely the only person at work and ready to work at 8AM (the god damn shop foreman doesn't even do that) and have missed about 3 days in 10 years due to illness. Right now I'm equal parts betrayed, rejected, nauseous, bitter, and angry for what they did to me and how easily they cast me aside. My boss didn't even show any emotion that would indicate he felt bad in the slightest about what he was doing to me and my family.

I really don't know what I'm going to do with myself now, but I'm leaning pretty heavily on getting out of the car business if I can, except unfortunately that's really my only marketable skill at this point and with a mortgage and bills going back to school will prove problematic at the least. Thankfully I have a loving, wonderful supportive wife and some very good friends and family, and my faith that God will provide for me to get me through all this unpleasantness. Thanks for reading.

 

Sorry for your misfortune, that really is the suk.

I have learned that it isn't always about ability in today's world. People are threatened by folks such as yourself. You probably have about a hundred steak knives hanging out of your back that you didn't even know were there....

Do your best to keep your chin up, it is their loss. You can't keep a talented and dedicated man down for very long. I wish you the best of luck, although you probably won't need it! :smile:

 

That sucks I can't help but wonder if the other guy has some kind of politics going on with the boss. Fortunately you have your family and friends for support and you can treat this as an exciting new start instead of just a depressing event; You might find some other job that's more fun. who knows, good luck!

 

I pretty much echo NorCal's comments. Personally, I have been laid off and fired from several positions. The first time is the worst, for exactly the reasons you have expressed. Most of the time, it is not personal. Sometimes it is, but it is rare.

Do what you can to regroup. Even in today's dismal job market (and I use the term "market" loosely...), talented motor vehicle mechanics/technicians are still in demand.

 

I know what your feeling and it does just plain suck! Last time it happen to me I went back to local college to get my AA in Criminal Justice. Cost was cheap enough and may even qualify to get in your class for free, just buy your books on ebay and craigs list. I was in automotive business for 25 years and once I get a few more classes out of the way I am getting into State Park Rangers. This is a good time to decide what you really want to do and go for it!

 

NCB nailed it. The dude is probably so concerned that his job is next so he's creating a position of strength for himself by eliminating the strong.

I'm sorry this happened the way it did. It's the feeling of uncertainty that's gettin ya right now. Unfortunately you have been forced into a position to rethink your future which sometimes can be a good thing. If your going to get any loss of employment insurance enjoy the time off, have some good talks with the family and decide on a path for yourself that you will like. In the end this may turn out to be positive. I know you'll bounce back.

 

Losing one's job is often the most devastating thing that can happen to a man outside of the loss of a child or a divorce. Keep talking to your wife and family - don't shut them out. Be aware of how you're feeling (depressed, anxious, useless, etc.) and don't let it go too far before getting professional help. Hopefully, you'll find a better job, and this will turn out to be the best thing that's happened to you in years. The best of luck to you! I feel for you!

 

Well said Knife

I have been down this road a time a two, and the first time it can be the worst. Remember this though, there was a reason that you did as well as you did at that shop, and the reason is because you are good at it. Those skills can transfer to many other jobs, and it will take some time to sort it out, but in the end it could very well be the best thing that ever happened to you.

I can regale you for hours on how circumstances that I originally thought were going to put me in the tank actually turned themselves into wonder opportunities. In the end it will come down to your own self confidence, and as I said, there is a reason you did so well where you were.

Dont let this be a downer for you, granted, it wont be easy, but at the end of it all you will be the better for it.

Knife is right , stay hooked up close to those you love. In the final analysis they are what really matters. They have got me through some rough times.

BTW, you still have a job, its just changed . Now your job is to analyize your skills, see how they fit where you are, and make all the necessary changes this circumstance has caused. you have work to do brother, Better get on it.

One last thing..........Dont look back. You cant see where youre going if you do, and f*ck those guys anyway.... you didnt know a soul there before you started and you wont know anyone at the next place.

 

I'm sure your a top tech and I wouldn't be suprised if they realize sooner than later the ignorance of their decision making process. I use to have my own business and due to some family issues I decided to enter the corporate world...I never realized how much the good ol' boy system is in place sometimes. Good managers don't make decisions based on who knows who or is this guy/gal going to pass me on the way up the ladder, they make decisions based on logic and performance. It sounds to me like your better off away from this soon to be "out of business" place anyway.

Have you considered your own business? My understanding from friends still in the repair business is that they are as busy as ever if not more so. There are downfalls to your own business but I personally believe they are surpassed by the rewards.

It's good to have supportive family and friends so network and keep up your spirits. Good luck with your future and be assured God has a master plan for you, this is just one of the stepping stones.

 

Sorry to hear about your sitution. Try not to focus on the shit you were delivered. I know things are tiugh but I am surely hopeful you will manage through this especially when you have as you said, a loving wife at your side. Take a bit of time and re-evaluate where you should go next. I am sure you will find the right answer and will oo9ok back at this as all part of your past...good or bad.

 

Wow WTF doches bags, I'm with the thought of someone is feeling threatened. best get rid of the strong before he gets it. ha good ole boys club, seen that one play out before. Hold your head up high and let the feelings out with the family, don't be ashamed either, so many get the idea after something like this they ain't worth much, you've got skills man, just give it a bit of time. like others said, this is probably a blessing in disguise.

 

I'm sure the other tech has pictures of the boss with a goat!

Everytime I lost or quit a job I got a better one! I'm sure there is an independent shop that needs a good trained tech with your experience. Move on and don't look back. Six months from now you will say this was the best thing that ever happened to you!!

Good Luck in you new higher paying / better benefits job!!

 

Thanks everyone for so many kind words and sage advise. I drove my truck in with a trailer and scooped up my toolbox, and took down my top tech banner and awards/certification plaques from the wall and loaded up all that stuff. It felt weird seeing the big hole where all my stuff used to be and my Snap-On roll-away looks way bigger in my garage than it ever did in the shop. Tomorrows project is to clear out the garage and make proper space for all that gear. I'm starting to feel a bit better knowing I snagged all my stuff when the service dept. was closed so I didn't really have to talk to anyone except a couple sales guys that hadn't heard what happened. It did make me feel a bit better to see the look of astonishment and horror on their faces as well- basically this decision makes no sense to anyone except the idiot manager and his bitch of a service advisor.

I will say feeling the love the VFRworld forum has shown me, a stranger really, is really cool and speaks highly of the quality of people all of you are- but obviously anyone who is smart enough to realize the sheer brilliance that is the VFR is clearly my kind of people. Thank you all very much for the pick-me-up it really does mean a lot to someone who has spent the last 24 hours or so feeling like he was going to throw up every second out of all the emotions flooding through me. I'm not even an overly emotional person. Anyway, thanks again and I'll keep you all posted whenever I have new/better news of how things are going.

And if you hear about a Honda dealership in Oregon being firebombed that was somebody else not me...

 

I dont think you should change your name. Your always gonna be a hondatech, just not for that same garage. Even if you choose a differant line of work, still a honda tech by nature, and we need those! I agree with everyones kind words, but also keep in mind maybe they werent threatened by you ( althoagh I am sure you are great ) but maybe felt threatened by a law suit because of the other tech's health issues. Like he would sue them if he was laid off. They might even be sorry for the decision already but had thier hands tied by equal oppurtunity lawsuits...not that I am bashing EO, just the oppurtunists ( my last garage was sued by 1 such person ). Sometimes things happen for a reason, and a job you wouldnt have been looking for is just waiting for you right now. Good luck brother, I will be following this post to see where your new adventure takes you... now doubt somewhere better. godspeed. oh and edit out the bombing thing, dont want the feds red flagging you! lol ( well only sorta laffing, tuff world out there since 9/11 )

 

May still need to change my user name but not for the same reason...

Moving along to better and brighter things
So yesterday I got a phone call from my good cycling friend John Perry and he told me that Withnell Dodge may have a job for me if I want to apply. Basically it's a front counter/entry level service advisor/ sometimes dispatcher, phone answerer,cashier position. There were a lot of people that applied for the position, some of whom already work for Withnell, so I figured my chances were okay but not great, but since I wasn't doing anything else and it's exactly the kind of opportunity I have been hoping for I went for it.

Today I got a call back, and they have given me the job!

It definitely will pay less initially than I was making when times were good as a tech, but right now will pay about the same as I was making with times sucking the big one, and honestly I was prepared to take a pay cut to move into that part of the repair business anyway given that all my experience is as a technician and not a service adviser. There are a ton of positives about the new job though- no more 30 mile each way commute, no more Saturdays, No more having my income and livelihood determined by people who refuse to act and conduct themselves as professionals, no more having a boss whose sole qualification for the position he holds is the fact his brother owns the joint...

I'm really trying not to be bitter about how Capitol treated me, and this is a big step towards putting all of that behind me, so here is the place all of you who said, "though it didn't seem like it I was going to be better off" you may now say "I told you so" You did. I won't doubt you again. I am so thankful for all of the support I have received from all of you, my family and friends in my time of need and am revitalized in the excitement of new opportunity.

It's been hard to understand why the events of last week transpired, and why my life was torn asunder as it was, and it has occurred to me I don't have to understand why God does things the way He chooses to I just have to believe that however things go down it is exactly as they ought to be. I mean I only lost my job- I didn't find out i had brain cancer or anything ( a good friend of mine is starting radiation treatment next week) My problems seem pretty damn trivial when I'm far enough removed to start seeing a slice of the bigger picture.

Thanks for reading.

 

Congratulations, that's a pretty fast turnaround! Yeah even though you got a little pay cut at least you won't be burning so much gas with the commuting and putting up with crap. Things are looking up! :thumbsup:

 

YES! Happy for you brother!

 

Money is important no doubt about it. They say maney can't buy you happiness but it sure puts you on the right road,

BUT, this looks like a new start HondaTech. A new direction and who knows, maybe very much for the better. Time will answer that one for you.

I don't know your age, but a career change later in life is not bad. I made a change at 48 years of age, then again at 51. And if the opportunity presents itself, I would do it yet another time tomorrow should the right opportunity arise.

I wish you the best.

Rdie on my brother.

 

I just started reading this thread and was thinking how lousy it is as to what happened to you, but as it went on, it got a lot better. There's nothing like a fresh start. It's great that you weren't down for long so that you don't have to worry about finances. Congratulations on the speedy turnaround. You must be breathing a sigh of relief. I thank God every day for the simple fact that I have a job with the economy the way it is.