Rock and Roll, I'm Done with B&W

[paragraphs]

Remember how I posted a couple of posts ago about how Doran, the boss boss from Topeka who fired everyone I cared about at B&W, including my dear boss, was in town? Well guess what! Today, using the most lame, ridiculous and stupidest reasons I've ever heard, he fired me. Yup. Gone. Toast. Christmas week. That is it. 9.5 years with the company mean nothing to him--he wanted me out and he came up with the way. He didn't give a damn about my rock-solid history with the company (he has been with B&W since April). In fact he pretty much told me he didn't believe Chris ever evaluated me honestly. Too good to be true? Nope. I am that good. LOLOL. Word was flying around BNSF, all the people I helped hearing about it (and on the heels of Chris), already and Chris has heard from one who wants to talk to me. It is no secret (he tells me) that after all the work we did in our office was shipped up to Topeka that the quality plummeted. I believe it, as I had super-high standards and wasn't doing it anymore. Rawr. He hears complaints, which I knew, but yeah. Wow.

Soon as I got home I contacted BNSF corporate support, and there are two positions opening early January, both in contracts--lol where I hailed from. Same group. Steve, my former boss there, is happy for me to come back. Chris is there too, and all my old coworkers--I'm going to be welcomed back with open arms.

Insane, huh?

I have to say that though there is shock racing through my system, there are no regrets, there is mostly relief. I did nothing wrong, and I stand by that. I have watched that company go from incredible, awesome, caring and a really fantastic place to work, to a place that now has five people left, and Kevin was interviewing today--he called me on his way, having heard from Juan what happened. Juan too has been polishing his resume with the intent to start hunting after the first of a year.

It has been a fascinating experience, coming into a company--asked to come work there by Chris all those years ago--and doing fantastic work, learning so many new things, and watching it grow and change and catch the excitement of new technologies... And then to see it fall hard as all the best and brightest were systematically pushed out. Splat. And it isn't done yet, I am sure of it. Five people left, one actively looking--what ARE they doing? A year ago we had 14 people there. Now five.

So, here I am! Sitting in my daughter's Starbucks while she works and plies me with coffee. Looks like a couple of weeks off unexpectedly, but with a position after the first of the year. Thank you, Steve! Looking forward to working with that crew again, AND Chris again. :) I'll be cleaning the house and putting the tree up tomorrow with the kids, and we're planning on Tron for Christmas Day and dinner at my friend Leigh Ann's house. It's going to be a good, if very simple Christmas. Next week my sister Leslie and her daughter Lexie are coming, so that will be fun. And then hopefully the following week I can get back to BNSF.

In the meantime, I've got a lot of rewriting to get done, a book to polish, and another to finish. Will try to make the most of these two unexpected weeks off, and make 2011 a different, but awesome year. :)

Comments

[dremiel.livejournal.com]

WOW! How very sad to see a place you've been proud of decimated. I hope this is the very good change that you are hoping it will be; I know you've been unhappy there. Obviously don't sign away any rights. If Friday was truly your first bad eval and they hadn't warned you about any of the issues you may have an arguement for age discrimination - know you don't want to go that way but tuck it in the back of your head in case the new position doesn't work out.

As an HR professional I am embarrassed that they slipped this in before the end of the year and even more so that the assholes clearly knew this was coming but didn't want any unpleasantness at Saturday's party. Apart from anything else they are rat-bastards and you are well shot of them!

New year and new jobs for you AND Nick. WOW!

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Yeah, isn't that something? Pretty stunning, but convinces me all the more that this is no longer my place. I think ever since Chris got fired for ridiculous reasons I could be next. We both thought that. Thankfully I had a really good rep at my old dept at BNSF, and they have something opening. The person leaving is giving notice on the 30th, and it would be working right with the two people I used to work with. And Chris is there, which makes it more fun. Good people, always doing fun things. I have lots of friends there, always loved going over there for projects over the years.

Oh Bartlett & West, what are you DOING??? I will be watching from afar now to see what they'll do, but it will be with a head shaking as I watch.

[blue-fjords.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm w/ dremiel here --
As an HR professional I am embarrassed that they slipped this in before the end of the year and even more so that the assholes clearly knew this was coming but didn't want any unpleasantness at Saturday's party. Apart from anything else they are rat-bastards and you are well shot of them!

Word! I am so glad that there is a spot someplace else w/ the people you liked!

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

My daughter says that alot. Word! LOL. I am glad too, very grateful for old ties. And Chris being there! I will work WITH him there, but that is cool. He has found he really enjoys it--it is the people there. They are good peeps.