I just got laid off - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/28/2006 05:17:46 AM · #1

I just got laid off yesterday. I work early mornings so I go to sleep around eleven(11.00) when I get home. So yesterday I went home as usual and got to sleep, about three(15.00) I woke up because my cell was ringing.

I answered still very tired and sleepy, it was some secretary at the place I work at telling me that, I didn't need to go to work on monday, in fact I didn't need to go to work at all because I was in fact fired and that I should come in tomorrow(read: today) and return my working clothes.

The thing is that my contract clearly states that they have to notify me thirty(30) days before they want me to go, but they don't care. They told me that if I want to I could go to court.

God, I'm angry. I'm traveling to china for a week the 24th and now I won't have any money to spend and not enough money to buy any food when I get back. Looks like it's going to be another month of cup noodles and tap water for me.

I've already started to sell some of my camera gear to make some money.(any europeans who want a sigma 70-200 dg apo macro with about a year of warranty left?)

/Viktor

ShutterPug

Canon EOS-6D

10/28/2006 05:23:06 AM · #2

that sucks...sorry to hear you got laid off. I seriously believe all things work out for the best in the long run. So try to look at this as a new chapter in your life - and adventure that has yet to unfold - new doors opening.

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/28/2006 05:52:30 AM · #3

Sorry to hear that Viktor!

10/28/2006 05:52:37 AM · #4

I will try but now I'm going to take the bus in to town to yell at them for a bit.

Message edited by author 2006-10-28 05:53:06.

FireBird

10/28/2006 09:05:51 AM · #5

Originally posted by xantangummi:

The thing is that my contract clearly states that they have to notify me thirty(30) days before they want me to go, but they don't care. They told me that if I want to I could go to court.

God, I'm angry.
/Viktor

Sorry to hear about your trouble. I'd certainly take their advice and take them to court. In this country an employee contract is rare, and a company violating one would be in disastrous trouble. Don't know about Sweden. You're lucky though, you're only 20. Plenty of time to fix things. I got out-sourced at age 45 and because I wasn't 30 days older, the company I dedicated 24 years of work to was able to exclude me from retirement by paying me a small sum of money. I had no choice in the matter. So I know something of the anger you speak of. Just let it go. Remember that if you start working for yourself this can't happen to you again.
Seems I've read income taxes in Sweden are rather confiscatory so starting your own business may not be an option. In any event good luck in your future endeavors. China is the in place to do business now-a-days. If you speak Chinese, English, and perhaps Swedish I suspect you might be able to find work that allows you to travel the world and take pictures in your spare time!!!!!!!

Prof_Fate

10/28/2006 09:07:33 AM · #6

I got fired that way once. Pissed me off too. I worked the midnight shift at a McDonalds (back before college) and about noon one day they called and fired everyone on that shift - no attempt to offer us positions on otehr shifts or other stores or anything.

this is an opportunity for you to be a full time photog! Take great pics in china and sell them upon your return!

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/28/2006 11:23:17 AM · #7

Thanks for all the support guys.

Today I actually filled out all the forms requierd to start my own company and I'm going to put together a webpage this week, pro photographer friend of mine called today and asked me if I wanted to share his studio, starting late december, for only 1000sek/month (120usd.

Looks like I'm going to go semi-pro, now I just need to get some clients and a day-job.

puzzled

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

10/28/2006 02:21:19 PM · #8

Good luck, Viktor! I really think you can fight the 30 day notice thing and hope you do. At least if they want to get rid of you, they can give you the one month salary. As far as I know, Sweden is pretty tough about having to hold to the contract, so I think you might have a good chance. Great news about the photography studio, though!

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

10/28/2006 02:45:43 PM · #9

I went on vacation for a week, when I got home, there was a FedEx letter for me. I opened it and inside was a termination letter. Talk about chickening out, they couldn't even tell me to my face. Everything worked out for me, I hope everything works out for you too.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

10/28/2006 04:19:34 PM · #10

My friend was on a business trip when they fired him. They cancelled his corporate card while he was clear across the country. He had to pay for his rental car, hotel and flight home. When he called about getting reimbursed, they told him to just write it off as a business expense at tax time.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/28/2006 04:23:13 PM · #11

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

My friend was on a business trip when they fired him. They cancelled his corporate card while he was clear across the country. He had to pay for his rental car, hotel and flight home.

He could look into a criminal charge of false imprisonment -- they might not laugh that off so easily ...

Prof_Fate

10/28/2006 05:00:27 PM · #12

I had a job when the paycheck didn't come - the boss had troubles collecting his money so couldn't pay, and coudln't finish the job to get paid without us. I knew this might happen and had told him - no paycheck and i won't be back till he pays me in full.

So no pay, me no show. He promises to pay in a week, then 2, then 3.
I go to the small claims to sue - $900 he owed me. He postpones, and then does a no-show - I WIN!
But wait, here in PA if you lose at small claims you can automatically appeal to the state courts, and need a laywer...so I go talk to a laywer and am told I will win, BUT can I collect? I'll have costs for the lawyer and probably fees for collection - eventually I'd have to seize some of his assets and sell them off - and all this takes time and money.
Bottom line, the lawyer told me it'd cost more than $900 to get the $900. Oh well.
Now I'm selfemployed and get paid up front :D