got laid off bah

[Rotary8]

Damn recession!

I should've been a firefighter years ago, wouldn't have to worry about job security. Oh well lol.

Funny thing was, when I was getting canned in the boss' office, the IT guys were quickly taking my mac pro away. When I returned to my desk, it was gone. They were like ninjas!

Left me with nothing to bring back home to use in my portfolio.

I'm just glad I'm still shooting children's portraits and weddings on the side. Because that cobra insurance hurts like a mother' for family coverage.

[branjosef]

Oh sorry.. I didnt see the "off bah" part. :cool:

er.... my condolences. Stay tough. I'm sure you will find something. :)

[Rotary8]

Oh sorry.. I didnt see the "off bah" part. :cool:

er.... my condolences. Stay tough. I'm sure you will find something. :)

Yeah, I'm sure I'll be alright. First time I ever been laid off in my 10 years of being a creative professional.

Knowing and understanding how volatile this economy was, I prepared myself months in advance. So I was able to have my resume ready to send out the second I got home. Now the waiting part...

[IgnatiusTheKing]

Funny thing was, when I was getting canned in the boss' office, the IT guys were quickly taking my mac pro away. When I returned to my desk, it was gone. They were like ninjas!

Left me with nothing to bring back home to use in my portfolio.

What the hell? Seriously? Why would they do that? What a bunch of roosters.

[Rotary8]

What the hell? Seriously? Why would they do that? What a bunch of roosters.

Yes, seriously. Who the hell knew, I was really busy with work up until that point. Got called into the boss' office thinking "oh wow they are going to promote me" Next thing you know I was told to turn in my ID and keycard then go home. Not so bad, figure I got time to grab some work off my computer to put in my portfolio... **** was gone. Wish I'd taken a pic of it. It was kinda funny actually.

But I think people have tried to burn the files in the past after they got canned, so they just made sure it didn't happen again. At least they should've locked the computers and made everything read only. I'm sure there was a way to do that on a mac.

[SteveMobs]

But I think people have tried to burn the files in the past after they got canned, so they just made sure it didn't happen again.

hmm, you could just burn the whole office. Kidding!

Maybe pull a little Dick and Jane, get clever.

Hope everything goes alright for you.

[IgnatiusTheKing]

Yes, seriously. Who the hell knew, I was really busy with work up until that point. Got called into the boss' office thinking "oh wow they are going to promote me" Next thing you know I was told to turn in my ID and keycard then go home. Not so bad, figure I got time to grab some work off my computer to put in my portfolio... **** was gone. Wish I'd taken a pic of it. It was kinda funny actually.

But I think people have tried to burn the files in the past after they got canned, so they just made sure it didn't happen again. At least they should've locked the computers and made everything read only. I'm sure there was a way to do that on a mac.

That's just classless. Sorry to hear about your rotten luck but hopefully you'll end up better off. What a bunch of clowns.

[Keebler]

Yes, seriously. Who the hell knew, I was really busy with work up until that point. Got called into the boss' office thinking "oh wow they are going to promote me" Next thing you know I was told to turn in my ID and keycard then go home. Not so bad, figure I got time to grab some work off my computer to put in my portfolio... **** was gone. Wish I'd taken a pic of it. It was kinda funny actually.

But I think people have tried to burn the files in the past after they got canned, so they just made sure it didn't happen again. At least they should've locked the computers and made everything read only. I'm sure there was a way to do that on a mac.

sorry to hear about the job loss.

have you tried asking your ex-boss about maybe taking some files for your portfolio? Just explain that you recognize your work was done through the company and maybe it's copyrighted through them, but it's your creative input and you need that to build your portfolio.

good luck,
keebler

[waynesun]

Sounds like a bad deal of affairs. Sorry for the unfortunate circumstance - i'm sure you'll be able to find other jobs (and subsequently, diversify a little bit).

The IT guys were a bit too soon with that one. I would have flipped the ***** had I seen that happening to me.

[Rotary8]

Sounds like a bad deal of affairs. Sorry for the unfortunate circumstance - i'm sure you'll be able to find other jobs (and subsequently, diversify a little bit).

The IT guys were a bit too soon with that one. I would have flipped the ***** had I seen that happening to me.

it happens. art people always go first in a recession. I'll be freelancing for a while until I get something more permanent. That COBRA insurance for my family is gonna hurt though.

[lucidmedia]

The IT guys were a bit too soon with that one. I would have flipped the ***** had I seen that happening to me.

Interesting that so many people are suprised in the way that the employer acted... this is policy for most corporations.

Usually after you are informed you are quietly escorted outside by security. Security cleans out your desk and hands you everything in a cardboard box. You are not allowed back in the building. There is no way an employer is going to let someone who has been just laid off access to their network / data / files, etc. Its too much of a security risk.

Moral of the story for designers is make sure you bring home copies of work you may someday want to have in your portfolio. Don't wait until you need it as you may no longer have access!

[Rotary8]

Interesting that so many people are suprised in the way that the employer acted... this is policy for most corporations.

Usually after you are informed you are quietly escorted outside by security. Security cleans out your desk and hands you everything in a cardboard box. You are not allowed back in the building. There is no way an employer is going to let someone who has been just laid off access to their network / data / files, etc. Its too much of a security risk.

Moral of the story for designers is make sure you bring home copies of work you may someday want to have in your portfolio. Don't wait until you need it as you may no longer have access!

It sorta became policy midway through my employment there because one of the senior ADs got let go, he tried to burn his files... luckily he never emptied his trash can lol.

Anyway, I did bring home some of my work while I was there but, there could've been more I could take back. Some of my coworkers have been forwarding me some of the stuff I worked on. It's the more layer heavy photoshop files I missed.

[Keebler]

Interesting that so many people are suprised in the way that the employer acted... this is policy for most corporations.

Usually after you are informed you are quietly escorted outside by security. Security cleans out your desk and hands you everything in a cardboard box. You are not allowed back in the building. There is no way an employer is going to let someone who has been just laid off access to their network / data / files, etc. Its too much of a security risk.

Moral of the story for designers is make sure you bring home copies of work you may someday want to have in your portfolio. Don't wait until you need it as you may no longer have access!

i completely agree perhaps in a different setting, but you'd think in a design setting, the company would offer to sit with the ex-employee to burn some files for their portfolio? I'm certainly not saying that the ex-employees are 'owed' anything, but I would think as a common courtesy?

I have no idea as I'm not in that world, but it's not like creating spreadsheets or making sales calls.

[lucidmedia]

i completely agree perhaps in a different setting, but you'd think in a design setting, the company would offer to sit with the ex-employee to burn some files for their portfolio? I'm certainly not saying that the ex-employees are 'owed' anything, but I would think as a common courtesy?

I have no idea as I'm not in that world, but it's not like creating spreadsheets or making sales calls.

I agree, and I certainly don't think it is the way to treat people. The OP mentioned that the "IT" guys came and took his stuff, so i figured that whatever company he was working for is large enough to have an IT staff and was more "corporate" than "design studio".

[rust.puppet]

ive been laid on and off for a year and a half now... sucks when you dont have a degree, so im going to college in the fall :D adolescent probation officer / at home executive type :P

[IgnatiusTheKing]

While it may be common at some corporations, most places back up their servers regularly (nightly even) and discourage employees from keeping anything terribly sensitive on their local machines, so losing files from a disgruntled employee shouldn't ever really be an issue.

As for security, of course they would want to keep an eye on a fired employee, but I've never heard of not allowing said employee to collect his/her own things (assuming they were fired for reasons other than stealing or misbehavior in the first place) under the watchful eye of supervisors or security.

That's just bush league. I would have lost it.

[THX1139]

The OP says he was laid off, but his treatment sounds more like he got fired. Wonder which one it is? Usually when someone is about to get laid off, they can see it coming. Usually everyone knows what is coming in and what projects are wrapping up. The last creative agency I worked at had to lay off a lot of staff when the dot com bubble burst. They didn't treat their people like criminals; they treated them with respect and helped some get new jobs. They certainly didn't lock down the computers and escort them off the property. Most of them knew ahead of time that their days were numbered if new contracts didn't get signed.

[Rotary8]

The OP says he was laid off, but his treatment sounds more like he got fired. Wonder which one it is? Usually when someone is about to get laid off, they can see it coming. Usually everyone knows what is coming in and what projects are wrapping up. The last creative agency I worked at had to lay off a lot of staff when the dot com bubble burst. They didn't treat their people like criminals; they treated them with respect and helped some get new jobs. They certainly didn't lock down the computers and escort them off the property. Most of them knew ahead of time that their days were numbered if new contracts didn't get signed.

there was a mass layoff at my old job. I worked in an information sensitive field (pharma advertising) so I could understand why they did it. I don't think they are obligated to let me grab files for my portfolio, but like someone said it should've been a professional common courtesy that at least they allowed me copy work to my usb drive.

Every company is different in their layoff approach. With pharma ad agencies, they KNOW you're going to be applying for jobs at competing agencies... which I'm trying to do now. So one can understand why they did what they did. What sucks for them was over the course of two years I worked there, I had brought most of it home. It's just the layered PSD files and some of my quark layouts stuck on my computer that only IT has access to. Otherwise I'd ask my coworkers to forward me the PDFs at least.

The way I was let go, I'm more motivated than ever to compete against them one day for new business.

edit: in addition a word of advice if you still have jobs: back your stuff up now!! lol.

This is my first time ever getting laid off, and I never saw it coming. Nobody did except upper management. Times are tough and tomorrow at no fault of your own, your company could downsize as well (knock on wood) I learned never to get too comfortable. That's why I was able to have an updated resume ready to to be sent out the second I got home.

Only thing that's missing is a print portfolio book (which I'm working on now using iPhoto books)

[eRondeau]

That absolutely sucks, I'm sorry this happened. But it is a cautionary tale for the rest of us. Because jobs can end just this quickly, don't expect that you'll have a couple of weeks to get your next resume or portfolio together. Same with your work email account. Assume that all of a sudden your entire work email account will be accessible by your boss and not by you anymore. Anything in there that might cause him/her to not provide a glowing letter of recommendation for your next job?

[Rotary8]

That absolutely sucks, I'm sorry this happened. But it is a cautionary tale for the rest of us. Because jobs can end just this quickly, don't expect that you'll have a couple of weeks to get your next resume or portfolio together. Same with your work email account. Assume that all of a sudden your entire work email account will be accessible by your boss and not by you anymore. Anything in there that might cause him/her to not provide a glowing letter of recommendation for your next job?

Exactly. I keep all personal communications on my personal webmail. Clear your history, chat logs, etc.

[Sesshi]

That's just classless. Sorry to hear about your rotten luck but hopefully you'll end up better off. What a bunch of clowns.

Why is not allowing theft of data classless?

When I let anyone go and certainly in my office where there is access control, the moment they leave their room to come and talk to me the control is reprogrammed so they can only exit the building. We collect personal belongings and send them immediately afterwards by taxi. Give the choice of potential damage my business or hurting someone's feelings, I'll pick the latter every time - even if it's someone I know very well.

The problem is not just security, it's that as we work more and more with data, most staff - especially ego-driven creatives and programming types - feel entitled to what's not theirs.

[brad.c]

Similar experience for me at my last job. Surprise call to the office, escort back to the computerless desk to pick up personal effects, and then out the door. Part of my job was maintaining the corporate data, sites, servers and network infrastructure, so they were very sensitive to the fact that I could do a lot of damage if so inclined.

Really, the look of joy on my face would have been a good indicator that I was not in a very vindictive mood.

Since they had supplied me with a laptop, there was a good deal of personal (but not private) data on the drive. The remaining IT manager was kind enough to burn a complete back-up of the user folder for me, but I already had collected my portfolio related files beforehand.

What I hadn't done was take extensive screen snapshots of the web sites I had created for their ad distribution portals. Now the company has gone out of business, and the site is no longer in operation, and all I have is small gif thumbnails to demonstrate two years of development work.

[fluidedge]

Don't you have the "right" to use work you created in your portfolios? I'm surprised they'd prevent you getting those files for your folder.

Is there anyone at the office you can contact to get a copy of the files? There must be company backups - talk directly to IT!

[IgnatiusTheKing]

Why is not allowing theft of data classless?

When I let anyone go and certainly in my office where there is access control, the moment they leave their room to come and talk to me the control is reprogrammed so they can only exit the building. We collect personal belongings and send them immediately afterwards by taxi. Give the choice of potential damage my business or hurting someone's feelings, I'll pick the latter every time - even if it's someone I know very well.

The problem is not just security, it's that as we work more and more with data, most staff - especially ego-driven creatives and programming types - feel entitled to what's not theirs.

There is a difference between "hurting someone's feelings" and "treating them like garbage." If someone is being let go for something other than misconduct, I see no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to leave with a touch of dignity. If that means allowing them (under supervision, of course) to collect their personal effects and a few examples of their work to help them find a new job, what is the harm?

Is everyone at your company so clueless that they couldn't watch someone copy a few AI or PSD files onto a disc and still manage to stop them from destroying everything in their wake? Is your business so important to the fabric of society that you have to humiliate and degrade people who have literally changed their lives to work for you (potentially for years)?

Sad.

[coyote23]

Don't you have the "right" to use work you created in your portfolios? I'm surprised they'd prevent you getting those files for your folder.

Is there anyone at the office you can contact to get a copy of the files? There must be company backups - talk directly to IT!

No such thing as what you are describing.

First, most U.S. states are "right to work" states (meaning they can fire you for any old reason they want like, "I don't like your shoes." -Any- reason is legal for firing, as long as it's not gender, race, religion, creed, etc.)

Second, most every corporation I've heard of/worked for states in the employment agreement anything & everything I/one creates is the intellectual property of the company I work(ed) for.

If this wasn't the case, who wouldn't lift any & all data they could from their old job...and just trot off to their new job with said data in hand?

For me, it would be reasonable to allow an employee hard copies (print outs) of their design work. Even the major metro newspaper I last worked for (which was extremely rigid & paranoid about this sort of thing) would allow me/anyone to print hard copies of the ads we designed/photos we enhanced/what-have-you...But source files? Yeah, right! If I could have taken source files, with custom artwork/fonts/copy...I could have left my newspaper....data in hand, called up every single one of those clients & offered them to do the same work for 1/2 the price my job would have charged...See the point?

[Sesshi]

There is a difference between "hurting someone's feelings" and "treating them like garbage." If someone is being let go for something other than misconduct, I see no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to leave with a touch of dignity. If that means allowing them (under supervision, of course) to collect their personal effects and a few examples of their work to help them find a new job, what is the harm?

Is everyone at your company so clueless that they couldn't watch someone copy a few AI or PSD files onto a disc and still manage to stop them from destroying everything in their wake? Is your business so important to the fabric of society that you have to humiliate and degrade people who have literally changed their lives to work for you (potentially for years)?

Sad.

See coyote23's response for a more real-world-aware view.

[prestonkd]

Actually, that is an "employment-at-will" State. Most States have adopted the "at-will" doctrine in one form or another. There are common law exceptions to this doctrine as well as State specific exceptions that have been adopted in many States. The age, race, sex, religion, national origin comment refers to discrimination and Constitutionally protected classes. But none of that helps the OP, so......nevermind. Sorry about your job.

[IgnatiusTheKing]

See coyote23's response for a more real-world-aware view.

His response doesn't have anything to do with what I was saying. I have seen several people get fired recently and be treated in the exact manner I described.

Besides, we're talking about a design, not something that requires high-level security clearance. Anyone who would treat an employee like a criminal because they can no longer afford to pay them is pathetic.

The OP will be better off in the long run. And all you people who think that his company's behavior was acceptable are clueless.

[Wotan31]

Sorry to hear about the layoff - happened to me during the dot-com crash so I know how you feel.

Here's a tip I learned. Carry a USB drive in your pocket. Biggest one you can buy. Use it to sync all your files to each day*. It serves two purposes - saves your ass in case you accidentally delete something, or your PC crashes or whatever. But it also provides you with personal access to all your saved work, you know, just in case you get laid off and ninjas steal your computer. ;)

* Obviously you don't want to do this if you work for Uncle Sam. He frowns upon that sort of thing, particularly if it's classified data.

[fluidedge]

Sorry to hear about the layoff - happened to me during the dot-com crash so I know how you feel.

Here's a tip I learned. Carry a USB drive in your pocket. Biggest one you can buy. Use it to sync all your files to each day*. It serves two purposes - saves your ass in case you accidentally delete something, or your PC crashes or whatever. But it also provides you with personal access to all your saved work, you know, just in case you get laid off and ninjas steal your computer. ;)

* Obviously you don't want to do this if you work for Uncle Sam. He frowns upon that sort of thing, particularly if it's classified data.

Some places disable the mounting of personal hard drives and usb sticks unfortunately, though of course we should all be backing up all the time.

[toaster_oven]

Left me with nothing to bring back home to use in my portfolio.


Ask for images of your work - unless they are under NDA, they cannot refuse.

[bobfitz14]

sorry man:(, wish you the best of luck!:)

[coyote23]

Ask for images of your work - unless they are under NDA, they cannot refuse.



alas, see, they can.

In the "real world", this is how it's done. You work for me, I own everything you make. If you make something important enough, you're even going to be signing a non-compete agreement just in case you might quit for greener pastures, and so on & so forth.

If you quit, or get fired, why would I give you anything that I, the employer, have essentially purchased from you (the employee)? You give me art/concepts/inventions, I give you money & benefits in exchange.

As far as whether or not this is ethically proper, or cool, well....It is. Why? Because whenever I (or anyone) choose(s) to work for someone else, it is incumbent upon myself to understand the conditions (limits, benefits & the like) of my employment.

So, in summation, I feel for the OP - but, folks, let this be a lesson to you all - especially in this drifting economy. If you have a creative position of any type, take copies of what you make to whatever degree you feasibly can.

[dornoforpyros]

Damn that's rough, my last employer said I could grab whatever I wanted off the computer and said I was welcome back anytime if I forgot anything on it.

[IgnatiusTheKing]

alas, see, they can.

In the "real world", this is how it's done. You work for me, I own everything you make.

Not quite true. Unless it's part of the employee agreement, "ownership" (especially when it's solely for a portfolio) is not so cut-and-dry. If you really have employees, I wonder how react knowing how you would treat them if the whim took you.

[prestonkd]

Not quite true. Unless it's part of the employee agreement, "ownership" (especially when it's solely for a portfolio) is not so cut-and-dry. If you really have employees, I wonder how react knowing how you would treat them if the whim took you.

Actually, just the opposite is true. If the creator of a work is an employee then the publisher of the content automatically has a copyright and ownership of the content or created work. Written agreeements and exceptions come into play where the creator of the work is a feelancer or independent contractor. The "work-for-hire" doctrine and its exceptions become applicable here. Once again, not helpful to the OP as it sounds like he was an employee. So again... nevermind.

[Rotary8]

Sorry to hear about the layoff - happened to me during the dot-com crash so I know how you feel.

Here's a tip I learned. Carry a USB drive in your pocket. Biggest one you can buy. Use it to sync all your files to each day*. It serves two purposes - saves your ass in case you accidentally delete something, or your PC crashes or whatever. But it also provides you with personal access to all your saved work, you know, just in case you get laid off and ninjas steal your computer. ;)

* Obviously you don't want to do this if you work for Uncle Sam. He frowns upon that sort of thing, particularly if it's classified data.

yeah, I carry a patriot X 32gb drive with me. Not all was lost, I did manage to bring home past work, it was just the more recent stuff I worked on ON the day of my being laid off.

Since then I've been doing a lot of photography and small design gigs at home.

[RedTomato]

There's a different between letting someone trash files / steal corporate copyright, and just treating them with dignity. I don't mean let them copy whatever. Sure, unplug the computer, but give them time to pick up stuff, say bye to people and so on.

Once someone gets to the professional level, there's only a few companies in town that hires people like them, and you may well have dealings with them several years down the line.

Best to have them leave with good memories, not feeling like ****.

Can someone clarify - if you're sacked in the USA under one of these 'at will' laws, do you still get a notice period? (to help with keeping up mortgage payments and planning your future/ looking for a new job)

[Keebler]

There's a different between letting someone trash files / steal corporate copyright, and just treating them with dignity. I don't mean let them copy whatever. Sure, unplug the computer, but give them time to pick up stuff, say bye to people and so on.

Once someone gets to the professional level, there's only a few companies in town that hires people like them, and you may well have dealings with them several years down the line.

Best to have them leave with good memories, not feeling like ****.

Can someone clarify - if you're sacked in the USA under one of these 'at will' laws, do you still get a notice period? (to help with keeping up mortgage payments and planning your future/ looking for a new job)

i don't know about a notice period per say, but in Canada, you're entitled to x amount of severance pay* - usually 2 wks per every year. it doesn't help unless you've been there a long time and unless *, you work for Nortel which is under bankruptcy protection and isn't going to pay any severance which is just downright terrible imho. some of those guys are close to retirement, but that is an entirely different discussion.

cheers,
keebler

[fiercetiger224]

Wow, sucks to be laid off. I'm glad I'm just working as a freelancer right now. It's actually been a steady flow of work, not to mention I can price everything according to what people want.

By the way, noticed that your name is "Rotary8". You may be an RX-8 lover? ;)

[jecapaga]

To the OP, what a crappy thing to have happened to you. Within the last year I've made sure to copy, back up and bring home my work in print and all the electronic files I think I would ever need to build up a current portfolio. I have no doubt that if I were to be cut here, the computer would be the first to be grabbed by them, then the badge and then the quiet escort out of the building. Scary times in this field right now.

[ezekielrage_99]

Damn that's rough, my last employer said I could grab whatever I wanted off the computer and said I was welcome back anytime if I forgot anything on it.

Mine too.

[Milfin]

Yes, seriously. Who the hell knew, I was really busy with work up until that point.

Sounds like they laid you off just because everyone else was laying off. If they hire for your position in the future take em to court.

[IgnatiusTheKing]

There's a different between letting someone trash files / steal corporate copyright, and just treating them with dignity. I don't mean let them copy whatever. Sure, unplug the computer, but give them time to pick up stuff, say bye to people and so on.

Once someone gets to the professional level, there's only a few companies in town that hires people like them, and you may well have dealings with them several years down the line.

Best to have them leave with good memories, not feeling like ****.

Very well put.

Can someone clarify - if you're sacked in the USA under one of these 'at will' laws, do you still get a notice period? (to help with keeping up mortgage payments and planning your future/ looking for a new job)

Nope. When a company decides to let you go, you're out the door that day (even that minute, in some cases).

[HerbyGunther]

Sorry to hear about the layoff - happened to me during the dot-com crash so I know how you feel.

Here's a tip I learned. Carry a USB drive in your pocket. Biggest one you can buy. Use it to sync all your files to each day*. It serves two purposes - saves your ass in case you accidentally delete something, or your PC crashes or whatever. But it also provides you with personal access to all your saved work, you know, just in case you get laid off and ninjas steal your computer. ;)

* Obviously you don't want to do this if you work for Uncle Sam. He frowns upon that sort of thing, particularly if it's classified data.

Sorry to hear you got laid (off). Hope you find new opportunities soon!

An addition to the tip given about sync-ing. You could also install a sync service (program). Like Dropbox.

[mperkins37]

I got laid off Friday the 13th. Been slow, only working half the hours.
Some freelance stuff, so I am not totally screwed, but it blows!
Took all the samples I needed as I did them as I got bum rushed by a newspaper I worked at sorta like the OP.
Learned my lesson.

[mac 2005]

Missing from this discussion is the obvious: If you were let go for reasons other than performance and conducted yourself professionally during the layoff, contact your manager and ask if you can get samples of your work for your portfolio. It's a reasonable request, one that many people would be happy to grant. A) You were a valued employee and B) They don't like the HR layoff process any more than you do.

If not, then you have a story for your next employer: "Here's what I was working on prior to the layoff. Sadly, my company asked that I not share samples from projects that were in the pipeline at the time of my departure."

You demonstrate your professionalism without positioning yourself to complain about how you were treated.

BTW -- You've got some excellent-looking pieces in your portfolio. I'd think your services will quickly be in demand.

[mac 2005]

Nope. When a company decides to let you go, you're out the door that day (even that minute, in some cases).

That can vary. I was laid off from my last two jobs, both in marketing roles for technology companies. Each kept me on for several weeks because they needed my services and we agreed that I could professionally conduct myself in the meantime. In the last go-round, my HR manager who notified me of my layoff was invited to my going away party, and we remain friends to this day.

With IT jobs, however, the last company typically made the separation effective immediately. After your HR "interview," you were taken to your desk for essential personal effects (e.g., keys, cellphone and coat) and escorted out of the building by security. You then arranged with HR to come back after hours for your other belongings. The fear of injury to other employees and destruction of proprietary data has simply become too great for companies not to intervene in "avoidable" situations.

That said, your mileage and experience may vary. I don't pretend to speak for all employees/employers.

[RedTomato]

Missing from this discussion is the obvious: If you were let go for reasons other than performance and conducted yourself professionally during the layoff, contact your manager and ask if you can get samples of your work for your portfolio. It's a reasonable request, one that many people would be happy to grant. A) You were a valued employee and B) They don't like the HR layoff process any more than you do.

If not, then you have a story for your next employer: "Here's what I was working on prior to the layoff. Sadly, my company asked that I not share samples from projects that were in the pipeline at the time of my departure."

You demonstrate your professionalism without positioning yourself to complain about how you were treated.


Excellent advice. I'll definitely remember that. Many thanks.

[IgnatiusTheKing]

That can vary.

Of course it can vary, as can (obviously) the treatment fired employees get. But the law does not force employers to provide a notice period. That was the question I was answering.

[Rotary8]

The one positive thing that came from this was that my coworkers all saw what had happened, and they are fully aware that it could happen to them. What did they do next? backed up all of their work lol.

Anyway, a quick update: I've gotten most of what I was looking for with the help of my coworkers. They've sent PDFs, PSDs, jpegs, whatever they could. And I'm very thankful for that.

Also, I've managed to get a few freelance gigs here and there, working mostly from home, and also trying to get my photography thing going.

I worked in pharma advertising, and clients' projects are highly confidential. I can understand why pulled such a cowardly move like they did. Still, I did feel I deserve the chance to at least get my stuff together in hopes of landing a new job. It's just common courtesy for all the late nights and weekends and the overall hard work I've put in.

Having said that, I am now highly motivated in looking for work at a competing agency.

[kitki83]

Man that is bad. My advertising agency may loose their #1 Client which is the department I work for. We have 3-4 months before the word gets out or ealier. The moment I found out I bought myself a 500gb portable drive with my 8gb usb drive. Started backing up my files now I need to sort my junk.

Funny thing I may loose my job but I was happy I got 500gb my passport for 60bucks!
Right now I am going through career change from graphic design to information architect/information field so I guess this is a good time.

[zarusoba]

Wow. America is scary.

[Chuck Fadanoid]

Wow. America is scary.

Seconded! I think over here in Germany the statutory notice period for employees is a month, and most people have longer periods written in their contracts.

Maybe if people were laid off with more civility, there would be less motivation to do a spot of industrial espionage on the way out :confused:

[jecapaga]

Just happened here...5% lay off company-wide. I personally had to box up two people's desks. Later I'll go through their computers. I already told them if there is anything they need for their portfolios to just let me know. Sucks!

[kitki83]

Just happened here...5% lay off company-wide. I personally had to box up two people's desks. Later I'll go through their computers. I already told them if there is anything they need for their portfolios to just let me know. Sucks!

As a creative I really appreciate that. Some people just are heartless sometimes. I think the problem in America is there is no loyalty to the employee nor the company. In Los Angeles, most people last about two years in a company.

[Consultant]

"Green Jobs"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/03/02/green.jobs.training/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

What the hell? Seriously? Why would they do that? What a bunch of roosters.

Sounds like they don't want the employee to take any of the "work for hire" material and used in their own portfolio.

[Rotary8]

Freelancing really sucks, I could work 12 hours one day then not work for a week. On top of that I have to pay for COBRA which is insane for a family. Not even sure when Obama's COBRA subsidy will arrive in the mail. Soon, I hope.

The good thing about this is that it's not just me and it's a whole bunch of people. So we're all in it together. If the economy was good and I have trouble finding work I would really doubt my artistic abilities.

[wongulous]

Hope all goes well and for the better. I know it is just words, but I have the best wishes for you and your family and career growth... :o