Being Laid Off From Work After 15 Years of Employment

On Thursday, June 16, 2011 something happened to me that I never thought would have happened - I WAS LAID OFF. Needless to say - I was shocked. Now, I have been employed by the Jefferson County Commission since 1998 and in all of my years of working in civil service, I would have never thought that I would have been laid off from work. But then again, I would have never thought that I would be involuntarily demoted from Assistant Benefits Administrator to Administrative Assistant II in 2010. But it happened.

Well, when my supervisor called me into his office I knew I was gone. I tried to cry, but I was all cried out because I had cried the night before from crying about worrying about my job. So as I was completing my papers he asked me did I want to come to work as scheduled on Friday. My tears dried up immediately and I quickly said NO!!. Now, how are you gonna lay me off work but then ask me to work the final day. I think not. So I used my personal time to be off work. Then he asked me if I wanted to leave my stuff at my cubicle or take it with me. I thought about it for a few minutes, but then opted to clean out my cubicle. It only took 15 minutes.

And with that I was placed on ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE WITHOUT PAY until I receive notificiation to either return to work or that my employment was terminated. And so began a new chapter in my life - JOB HUNTING at 45. WOW!!!!