B r i a n   V e r k l e y

I'm free

2008-08-21 22:04:41 • by Brian Verkley

So as most of you have heard already, the cutbacks at Bell affected me, and I am now unemployed.  

While I wasn't expecting it, it isn't the worst thing in the world.  There is a 6 month severance, and likely EI after that.  Plus Leanne and I don't run our bank account at zero, so we'll be fine for a while.  

It is funny/odd/sad to read most peoples reaction notes.  Some of them are written as serious and sad as if their had been a death in the family.  To some people it seems this is dire, but it is really anything but.

I'd been at Bell for 9 years.  9 years.  That is longer than I had been anywhere, including grade school.  (Kindergarten was in a different school).  Every few months they'd announce 10, 20, 30 and sometimes 30+ service anniversaries, and I'd always dread the day if I hit 10.  10 years doing one thing and not changing the world seems like a lot of effort wasted.  

So if I am to move on, one would pray for this situation.  Instead of jumping ship with zero severance and no EI and looking for something new, I get lots of time to try things.  

So what is next?  I don't know.  Something different though.  Unless I'm paid a lot of money to go back and help the ailing telco, I'd like to work on something new.

I'll let you know when I know what that is.

In the mean time, I'm ok.  We're ok.  But thanks for the kind words of encouragement anyway.  They are always appreciated.

Comments

by brian jackson • 2008-08-22 08:43:09
It's pretty awesome you guys are taking this in stride.  

There are probably a lot of reasons people act so dire.  The change, uncertainty, financial situation, ego, etc, etc.

You guys are in a great position because you're both smart and can obviously turn around and see this as an opportunity.  Not everyone is in the same boat.

Many will be glad to hear that there is something positive coming from something that is usually disturbing.  Kudos!
by Anne Marie • 2008-08-22 15:19:26
Hey Brian...history repeats itself, right? Well, you got your lucky lead to a job at Bell at a wedding party...maybe with 2 weddings you are attending tomorrow, you will get lucky...who knows??
Onward and upward....GOOD LUCK.
by julie • 2008-08-22 17:15:17
Happy Vacation- now you can spend more time with Hadley in the day time! And you can come and visit me! Things always work out, keep looking at that glass half full Brian. I was out of a job for about 9 months, and I turned out just fine.

← Back to Blog