Could he get his old job back? Could the CEO step in to recommend another job? I am sending good thoughts for a better job and better people to work with.

Wow, that's a shame, Clare. Yes, one's age makes all the difference, doesn't it? Although I know a couple of men in their thirties who got laid off just before Christmas, and they have serious concerns about paying mortgages, supporting kids, etc.

I hope your DH finds something else (and something less stressful) soon.

Thanks everyone for your well wishes. He burned his bridges at the last place so no job there. He turned them down when they counter offered and he was not wild about his new boss at the old company. That is why he took this new opportunity.

We have been living only on his salary for 25 years because I stayed home to take care of our Autistic son. I know I am probably just panicing and we will work through this like a lot of the other bad things we had to work through for the last 31 years.

I just can't believe it happened.
Clare

ditto to Mariend!

Hang in there & good luck!

Donna (^_^)

This is so sad for so many people; my SIL just was laid off from hls job. They have no children, and my DD has a good job, but who knows when that might have problems? It's rough out there, but hang in there.....hopefully things will pan out for him, and for you.

Phyllis

Clare, I'm so sorry. I hope he will get in touch with the CEO who talked him into staying. He must like your dh. If he can't do anything about the job there, maybe he knows of something somewhere else. I know you're scared and rightfully so. I have no advice, but do have good thoughts and some hugs for you. ((((( Clare and dh )))))

Linda

This is terrible, but the CEO actually did him a huge favor. If he had quit, he would not have been able to collect unemployment, or get a severance.
He may now be eligible for both.
I'm sending best thoughts!

I'm sorry to hear about this. He should be eligible for unemployment. I hope he finds something soon.

Gosh I hate to hear this.
After seeing what DS went through for 6 weeks I know there is NO good time for unemployment.
Maybe the CEO could reccommend your DH for another job?
Probably grasping at straws there but trying to think of something that might help.
(((Clare and DH and family)))

That's really a shame. I hate to hear news like this. I hope he finds something soon.

Clare......I just wanted to tell you that things will get better. My DH (same age....will be 62 in 5 years) lost his job in October. He had been with his company for 21 years, and they closed. Soon after, all financial companies went belly-up, so he has no chance of finding another job doing what he knows best.
Try to keep a positive attitude, make sure he applies for unemployment, and cut back wherever you can. Maybe he could stay home with your son and you could find something that is not too stressful, if that is a possibility.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thanks again for the kind words. I like to think that things happen for a reason. One door closes and another one opens. Maybe this will lead to something better.
Clare

No advice here, either, but I can tell you that during our 53-year marriage, we went through a couple of rough times when my husband was laid off, once for two years. He did get called back, though. During those rough times, we scrimped and lived on unemployment, my babysitting, and eventually my getting a job once our youngest started school. We also had to accept help from family. We made it, and so will you and your husband. Sending positive thoughts your way.

One thing I'd suggest you do right away. Have a chat with your lawyer. With your husband being in his late 50's, a good lawyer may be able to make a case for age discrimination, depending upon the circumstances. Worth looking into, at least--and in these economic times, we have to do everything in our power to take care of ourselves--even if we normally wouldn't go that route.

Another suggestion--there are jobs out there. I'm seeing some companies advertising on TV for employees--just saw a couple of those ads the other day. From places that NEVER advertised like that before. So if your husband is willing to do what it takes, even if it's not what he's trained for, I do believe he can find work. Might not be his first choice of a career--but my husband's dept (at the local utility co.) is working unbelievable overtime right now. He's a cutman--bill collector--and there is so much work they're working overtime every day and many Saturdays. Collection is a job where there is a lot of work these days. The cable companies seem to be hiring, as well--gearing up, I suppose--for big demands next month, when people learn that those converter boxes they were conned into buying DO NOT bring in digital signals unless you also add a rooftop antenna. I'm sure they're expecting to be adding lost of new customers at that point.

And if none of that works out for you... Let me tell you what happened to an acquaintance. Got laid off. Couldn't find a job. Started making the rounds on trash night to pick up still usable goods. He'd clean/fix them up and go to the flea markets on the weekends. Wasn't long before he was in a financial position to open a secondhand store. That evolved and now he owns a very successful antique shop. There are always opportunities, even in poor economic times. The trick is to be creative and find them. Give your husband a week or so of wallowing time--he needs to mourn the loss of his job. Then put your thinking caps on, and I believe, if you think 'out of the box' as they say--you will find a way to get by, and maybe even make more than he was before. Good luck.

Clare,
From one who has been there, sympathy! Be sure to tell and show your husband that he has your complete support. His ego is bruised, even if he won't admit it.
Sit down with him and talk about what you both really want to do. This may be the time to take up a different career, chicken farm, whatever!
If you have experience with an autistic child, there may be a job for you as an aide in the local school system. Just throwing out ideas--go through this rough time together. Things will get better, and you and your husband will appreciate each other even more.
Let us all know how things work out for you.

How awful! I'm so sorry.

Are you near a major city? Both CIA and FBI are hiring lots of people.

Aptosa, the same thing happened to me in 2002.

My Boss resigned and I was ready to quit too. It was November, he told me don't quit now just give it til after the First of the Year. He wouldn't tell me why, but he knew something.

I was layed off, got severence pay and unemployment which allowed me the luxury of finding the perfect job.

Good Luck! Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Gayle

I'm so sorry

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's job, Clare. I'm hoping something better will come up.

Thanks everyone! He went out to dinner last night with someone who is high up in the ranks and been with the company for years and got more information. There are going to be 4-5 more people laid off in a company that has only 24 people total, plus some overseas. So I don't think it was entirely personal or ageism though that may have been a factor. You never know.

The company is suffering right now because of the economy, like a lot of others. My husband's position was fairly new and created for what they projected the next year would be, but now they are cutting back on everything so the position became redundant. Or at least that is the official word, which looks good when looking for a new job. He sent out a ton of emails last night to others in the semiconductor business to put out feelers.

Yes, he is starting to feel it and I think it is going to hit him emotionally though he won't admit it. He has been working as an engineer in Silicon Valley since 1977 and never been laid off before. He has his Masters in EE so that is all he knows, or feels like he does right now. I think he should think outside the box, but maybe that will come later if nothing comes up in his search.

What worries me more then the money is insurance. Our son has a lot of medical problems and is on medication and sees a lot of specialists. I know he can extend his insurance through COBRA, hopefully it won't be too expensive. And he did get one month's severance pay plus can apply for unemployment for the next year. We have always lived pretty simply and cheaply because we have only had one income. We will exam things more closely again and see if we can cut back some more. Maybe I will look into going back to work myself, though that will be quite a change after 25 years of being home. I would do it just for the insurance coverage.

I know we will get past this in time, we have survived many bumps in the road for the last 31 years, so I am not too worried. That is one thing you learn later in life, this too will pass.
Clare

Oh, Clare, I'm sorry to hear that. Just yesterday my neighbor came over to tell me the same thing happened to her husband, who was also higher up on the ladder. And last year we were in the same boat; very luckily, my dh found a job with another company after 6 months or so, though not the same position. Like you, our biggest worry was insurance. I know your dh knows that networking is the key, and maybe you can help him not to be discouraged when he doesn't hear back from acquaintances. It's amazing how many people won't call you back! My dh kept emailing and calling people he knew and that's what finally landed him his current job, hired by a man he used to work for at another company. Much good luck to you both.

Hang in there!!

Clare - Sending you the most postive thoughts and wishes for good luck and an even better job for your DH.

Awww Clare, so sorry to learn this. :(

I am a believer that things really DO happen for a reason.

I have a feeling that this layoff will lead him to a better job.

~Carol~

We've been holding our breath because joblessness had a chance to hit our home this wk. Thank God for the prayers. My DH was not on the "list". Our prayers are with you now. It's amazing how senseless some of these firings are... nothing to do with performance just how much $$ you make. They don't take into consideration that you make that money because you bust your butt for them...