Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    You might  want  to  look  in HUMAN::DIGITAL, where the package is
    discussed  at  some length. Most of the discussion won't be useful
    to you, but I think there may be some useful information.

--David

	I'm currently "waiting to hear" if I'll be one of the ones
	offered the package.  A month ago they told us 27% would go,
	but as to which of us in particular, we don't know yet.

	I know of no notesfile you can go to find out more about it.
	I do think there is a central organization that is knowledgeable
	and should be helping you to find a job, but I don't know who
	those people are.

	There is a notes conference located at OASS::JOBS that lists
	a more indepth listing of the current jobs available than VTX
	seems to have, plus you can post your resume there if you wish.


	I just want to tell you that you're not the only one that's
	"scared."  I've got a father who's been out of work for almost
	three months, a mother with no working skills, a sister on
	welfare having her third baby and I'm being called on to help
	support all of them.  If I lose my job as well....well, it's a
	very scary thought, something I try not to think about.  And
	Digital just relocated me 2000+ miles from home less than
	6 months ago......I do not have "connections" to find a new
	job outside of Digital here.


	Here's what I think I know.  If you take the money from DEC, it's
	voluntary severance and you can't get unemployment.  If you
	decide to stay in the company, you HAVE to take the first job
	offered to you.  I seem to remember a number like 450 people
	who are still "in the pool" looking for jobs from the last
	transition.  If you take your "chance" and stay in DEC and
	go "into the pool", you might run the risk of losing your job
	anyway on a "not-so-voluntary" severance if it came to that
	(ie, layoff).


	There are a LOT of options to consider.  I know my morale has
	been very low with this towering over my head.  I know I'm
	scared, but I'll survive (but after watching my father, an
	engineer, still struggling to find something, how can I hope to
	survive).

	I haven't even been with Digital 3 years...my 13 weeks would be
	nothing to support me should I have to find something else.

	You're not alone in "being scared."


	kathy	

>I am pretty shaken up and am trying to think as clearly as I can.  

If you still feel shaken up a week from now, it might be useful
to find a finanical counselor to go over your financial status
and job opportunies. When I'm shaken up, my thinking gets
all balled-up and I got into a state of kidlock. (Kidlock
is when I reach madly and blindly for WHAT I WANT, and
dismiss everything like logic and evidence.)

Just after the first buyout, by the way, the Boston Globe
published an interview with three financial consultants, 
who gave their thoughts on what to do in this situation.
You might find a copy on local bulletin boards (you know, 
the hard copy kind.)

Also, a thought. *If* you might be leaving DEC shortly,
you might want to get copies of your performance review
from your personnel file. They may come in handy ... and
after one leaves here, DEC will only acknowledge that,
yes, your worked here from -- to --. 

Please forgive me if sounds bleak to your ear.  Meigs

    
    I have a friend in the program. I will try to consolidate what I have
    heard from him. My statements are based on the assumption that you want
    to stay in the company. If not, skip 'em.
    
    - If you want to find another job, you have to be aggressive because
    there is a LOT of competition. 
    
    - Put a resume together TODAY. Include, perhaps mentally, everything
    you've done, know how to do, or have some interest in. Make different
    resumes for different types of jobs if you have a broad range of skills.
    Get someone to review it with you, preferably someone in employment who
    has to look at those things all the time.
    
    - If you have reviews stating that you are a 2 performer, make sure
    that you make them a part of your "sales package", i.e. how you sell
    yourself. Although TFSO is not supposed to be a dumping ground for
    people who should have been fired, it is. And you need to put as much
    emphasis on your ability to perform as possible. If your managers are
    still around, start putting together a LONG list of references. Also
    include people you have worked with who did not measure your
    performance, but whom you can call upon as additional references to
    your ability to perform, and your ability to get along with people.
    
    - Look at whether you have any interest or ability to do sales work or
    programming or secretarial work. Those are HIGH DEMAND areas, but you
    need skills or, as a bare minimum, proven potential.
    
    - Ask yourself if you're willing to relocate. If so, look around. Pick
    up the Digital phonebook, see where you're willing to go. 
    
    - Go through the jobs book DAILY. Look at what you've done, but also
    look at areas where you might be able to work by acquiring new skills.
    
    
    There is a notes file OASS::JOBS. I have no idea what's in it, but
    there's no harm in looking. You have my best wishes in finding a
    solution that meets your needs.
    
    'ren

    
    Well, also, if you have any telecom experience there are several
    open slots in CT (corp. telecom) over here in VRO...if you are
    interested.
    
    re: severance and no unemployment .... i thought that for the 
    duration of the severance (like 13 weeks) you could NOT draw
    unemployment but AFTER that you could.  (for the maximum of 26 weeks).
    
    good luck to all!!
    
    deb
    

    You may also want to take a day trip to Drake and Beane (sp?) in
    Worcester, which is the employment agency that the old package people
    have available to them to use as a base for a work desk while looking
    for a job now.  You may be surprised to find out that the majority of
    people from the OLD package (the ones with the mega weeks of
    severance), are still out looking for a job. They are looking full time,
    and aren't even getting interviews (this from a guy I know who took the
    package with 104 week of severance pay), let alone job offers.

    The way he explains it, the ones with the REAL valuable skills (IE
    can program in C++, Bliss, Lisp, etc) didn't normally get the package
    offer, but if they did and had that skill set, they were snapped up
    immediately. The others are still floundering around. There was also an
    article in The Nashua/Merrimack paper when I was there the end of
    September about 2 ex-deccies, who STILL can't find a job, and are
    searching 40+ hours a week.

    RE: Sales, and technical sales support

    These jobs are out here in the field, but we are seeing freezes out
    here in our hiring. Yes, they are still hiring, but you REALLY have to
    have an EXACT match for what they are looking for in the sales support
    slots. ULTRIX is the BIG thing, and so is FAB. The Sales Training
    center in Merrimack and Boylston are running at full peak. You can get
    a sales position with NO experience, but you better have some FANTASTIC
    reviews behind you. Its not as easy since COD I/II/III have come and
    gone. But I'd recommend calling the COD office in Marlboro, and talking
    with them if you want to think about relocating out of the Boston area.

    If you ask me, its a GREAT move to make. Being out in the field is
    FANTASTIC. I love the fact that my job is not the same each day,
    although its got the flavor of the same thing. I love the fact that I
    can't get information out here,and have to spend my days sometimes as
    the lowest pay detective on this earth :-)... but the job(s) are
    wonderfully rewarding in the sales support end of things.

    Good luck with whatever you decide to do, and let us know please?

    Gale

    If you choose to not take the package you are going to need contacts. 
    I don't know where you're located, but, assuming that it is in the
    New England area, there are a lot of folks that know folks, who know
    folks etc. And there are probably a lot of areas of the company that
    have prospects that you aren't aware of.
    
    Call and set up exploratory conversations with people.  Start with some
    of the folks in this file. Ask questions about the organizations and
    types of jobs in the organization and the skills needed.  Ask for ideas
    on what types of jobs they think -- based on your background -- you
    might be good at.  
    
    Doing this in addition to using the formal job search channels should
    greatly increase your chances of finding a job and make invlauable
    contacts (and possibly friends) for you.
    
    Please feel free to call me if I can help you.  (DTN 251-1613)  
    
    Polly
         

	Re: Unemplyoment

	That depends on the state.  I believe it was ruled herein S.C. that you
ARE eligible for Unemployment even if you take the package.  (Not sure if it is
simultaneous with the package or kicks in after...)

Tracey 

    
    Hit KP7 to add OASS::JOBS to your notebook.
    

    
    The CAREER notesfile has a couple of topics that discuss
    this.  #109 is one.
    
    Hit KP7 to add it to your notebook.
    

    This is such a frustrating situation!  Here is .0 obviously very upset
    about being offered the TFSO, here I am, due to a set of personal 
    circumstances, desperately TRYING TO VOLUNTEER!  No one seems to know
    what if any "policy" is followed re the TFSO.  
    
    Carol

    re:.11
    
    I'm not "desperately trying to volunteer", but I have reasons why
    I would like to be offered the Package (having been at DEC 14 years
    would give me a pretty good package).
    
    As far as the "2" performance rating goes, that's *why* you're being
    offered the Package. Apparently, they seem to feel that being offered
    the Package is a Good Thing, so they're offering it to the higher
    performers. Doesn't make sense, I know, but I can't think of any
    other reason why they start there and work down.
    
    --- jerry

    It was based (at least here) on whether there are too many people
    in a particular job code. Some people who didn't really want to
    leave were forced to choose between transition and the package.
    Some who wanted the package were told that their jobs were under-
    staffed, and so nobody in their job code would be considered
    for transition/TFSO. In at least one job code, far more people
    than expected _took_ the package, leaving some real shortages
    of personnel. 
    
    If there is a real shortage of people with your skills you probably
    won't be offered transition. IMO this is short-sighted on the
    company's part - *anybody* who wants to leave should be allowed,
    even encouraged, to do so. 

    The reason that the package CANNOT be offered to 4 and 5 performers is
    that their managers are supposed to be 1) fixing the problem, or 2)
    terminating the poor performer utilizing standard DEC policy and
    procedures.  The implied and explicit messages coming from upper
    management of late have suggested the latter.
    
    mdh

    The 4's and 5's are not supposed to get the package because then
    it would seem like a REWARD for being a poor performer!  Wait 
    abit and see what happens down the road.....I think you will see
    more 4's and 5's being dealt with .....  shape up or ship out 
    theory will most likely be utilized!

    justme....jacqui

    Re: .14:
    
    Are you sure?  I know several non-performers out here in the Field who
    were offered, and took, the first package. 
    
    I agree with the person who wrote about loving being in the Field.  I
    moved down here from the Boston office two 1/2 years ago and boy, is it
    different, in a much better way.  More visibility, less competition,
    better networking, even if we don't get "DTW", everyone networks so
    much that we all know what's going on -- sometimes before anyone else
    does, depending on how many task-forces you're on and how good your
    contacts are!
    
    When I first moved down here, I was desperate to find a job within DEC
    and would have taken anything to stay with the company.  There was a
    major hiring freeze going on THEN (how soon we all forget that there
    have been freezes and problems for a long time!).  I called HR on a
    weekly basis.  I went to visit the plant, introduced myself to the HR
    people and established a rapport with them.  HR was very helpful and I
    ended up finding a job three weeks before I was due to move.  Not only
    that, but it ended up being a promotion, to boot, which made it nice.
    
    When my manager was interviewing COD people, there was a "pick and
    choose" mentality and attitude.  Offers were made to people and I heard
    from reliable sources that "bidding wars" were going out on people who
    were good candidates for jobs.  Meaning:  a candidate waited for offers
    and then demanded the moon and the stars to relo.  They would take the
    job that gave them the best deal.  No wonder the Field isn't dealing
    with this stuff anymore.  We wanted to hire several people who decided
    the cost of living was too high in DC. 
    
    IMHO, I will never regret my move.  The people are so nice, the job is
    great, the opportunities are here (or will be when the dust settles)
    and the weather is super 10 out of 12 months of the year.  What more
    could I ask for?  For those of you getting the package, why not think
    about the Field?  Things are really tightening up down here but there's
    still a lot of jobs available.  Seriously, I love DEC so much that I
    would take a lower-level job at the same salary if I had to.
    
    By the way, there are also a lot of people out here who would LOVE to
    take the package.  Why can't they make it a voluntary thing too?  I
    worked for DG and left during their big shake up.  They had made their
    version of the package available to those who wanted to leave before
    they finally laid off the rest.