Speaking of Work…

Wow, you guys get a third post today. You must be really, really special…!

A few weeks ago we got word from what is now called our Corporate Office but prior to a year ago, was not called our Corporate Office. I’ll explain in a few.

At any rate we were informed that because of the current crises in the financial markets, the Company was no longer seeking potential buyers. Whether that’s good news or not has yet to be determined, but it’s just another of many moves that I’ve seen take place during my almost 3-year employ.

In case you’ve forgotten, here’s a quick chronology of events:

October 2006: One of the Company’s founders was suddenly “retiring.” Yeah, on their own will I bet. In addition to that, people were suddenly being let go without warning.

February 2007: The office in L.A. was no longer going to be referred to as “Corporate.” The east coast location was officially taking the title. With the co-founder stepping down, I figured something was definitely in the works.

May 2007: CFO steps down. Now it’s getting interesting. In a meeting a few weeks later, the CEO informed us that the lease on our location was expiring in 2011 and the the Company was not interested in renewing. Many people jumped ship and my job hunt began.

We continued to operate “business as usual” and I went on several interviews before deciding to stick around until the walls caved in. This went on for about year until…

May 2008: Much to the CEO’s credit, they admitted that the idea to close the L.A. office was a big mistake–gee, you think?–and apologized for it. So instead of moving, the Company decided to put itself up for sale.

June 2008: In a meeting with the CEO, we were given details about the potential sale of the company. A meeting a few weeks later went over details regarding possible severance pay, benefits, etc. What’s great is that at the first few meetings we were given the opportunity to ask whatever questions we had. Few of us did because of the initial shock. However, by this meeting I’m surprised we had enough time for all of the questions, and I hope to [insert appropriate deity here] that the CEO was wearing his steel-belted boxers. The questions were being fueled by anger, disappointment, and an overall negative impression of the Company after what had transpired.

October 2008: The Company takes itself off the market because of the current financial crises.

So in just a few short years, we’ve been long-term unemployed, had price tags on our heads, had to consider the possibility of relocating or finding a new job, then were put back to Square One as if nothing ever happened.

What a long, strange trip it’s been.

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