I was working at my desk on September 25, 2005 when I was called to the CEO's office about 4:00 PM. It was a Friday. She was fairly new at the job, and I was wary of her. I had told a friend that I thought heads would start rolling with her coming in. She advised to give her a chance. I told her that my gut was seldom wrong. My favorite boss was her predecessor-and he and the CFO had recently departed. I was not feeling any moves towards stability with this woman after three months.
When I walked in, I knew what was coming. The CEO, COO, and the HR manager were present. That's never a good combination. What shocked me was that they had the unmitigated gall to have me sign a contract not to compete with the place for 2 years, not to apply back to the place ever again, and then to try to inform me that I 'should have no trouble finding a new position elsewhere.' The first two were illegal and the last was totally unrealistic in my field. (explanation to follow) Moreover, I was treated like an enemy and escorted to my office, then out the door-I could not access my personal files or get my personal items out of my office. I haven't the slightest clue what they thought I could steal, damage, or destroy. But I was locked out until the following day when I could get back in.
I did get my personal things out, including a large bookshelf that I had put in, several large framed items, plants, books and files that were solely mine. They called me-asking where these things were and asking why I had taken them. The answer was very simple-I had taken them up there and I was not donating them. They were mine and I was retrieving them. Evidently, other people thought differently. They never got them back.
Moral to this tale is-keep your parachute packed, boys and girls. Always know where that resume is and keep those references current. I'd been there 15 years. Loyalty means nothing. If you aren't in a union, but can get in one, do so. It is your only protection against this stuff. I didn't used to think much of unions. I have changed my mind totally. Complete 180.
So here I sit 10 years later-still not working and waiting on my first Social Security check. I'd kill for a paycheck.
