Unemployment Story by Roseanne Silva

As with many of us today my story is about the same as others. But I feel that the way I was let go or as they say it was laid off was kind of cruel. I was told that the higher manager needed to speak to me and then was escorted to a room where the HR person and also her co-worker were seated. The Big manager nonchalantly said well we do not need you anymore and that you have been let go. I was stunned for that moment but not totally since I knew people were to be laid off even though we were told that there were to be no more lay offs. They let go of 6 of us in one department, can you imagine that. they said that finance was being restructured oh what a nice word for we don’t need you any longer or your services are no longer needed. I couldn’t believe how cold and well inhumane that they were in this process.
The one person said ok we have to go back to your desk and he escorted me there to make sure I got my personal belongings and nothing more. They asked if I needed boxes and I said no because i had been prepared for this day and kept a extra bag or two in my desk. I proceeded to pack my things but also tried to get my work together for the person who would have to take this over.

But the person told me that I couldn’t touch the computer so i did what i could to let them know of the work still on my desk. He was standing right by me as if i am going to go off and do something crazy there. So i was ready to go but I was confused why I had to leave then that I couldn’t even finish out the day but accepted it as it was and then asked if i could say goodbye to my co workers and he said no that I couldn’t. I looked at him like what is wrong with you I have worked with these people for 13 years and not able to say goodbye.
I said ok fine and gathered my things and gave him my keycard and we left.
On the way down was complete silence and once we were at the ground floor the mand told me sorry i couldn’t let you talk to anyone because its protocol.
I looked at him and said thank you and proceeded to leave.
I can’t understand how I could have been treated just like a piece of paper or garbage that once I was not needed thrown to the way side.
How cruel and inhumane our work force has become as of late.
We are not numbers, we are people with feelings and hope and dreams but at that moment was made to feel like nothing more than a thing.
I wish that the corporate world would wake up and realize that they need to start treating people with respect and dignity and in that sense the workers of today would do the same back.