Dana Point Saturday May 21

4:56pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday afternoon, May21, 2022. Drove into Orange County this morning at 11am, got the mail and picked up lunch. When I arrived at the apartment there were dishes cluttered on the counter and around the sink. I spent time rinsing, sorting and scrubbing various plates and glasses before loading the dishwasher. In the afternoon we went to the store for groceries and bought a new game. It was fun to try something different. Now we are taking a break and cooling off. I will get up shortly and begin prepping for dinner.

Lack of professionalism

2:28pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday afternoon, May 20, 2022. Last Thursday, regional management came to the office early. At 9am they started meeting with staff, letting them know their positions had been eliminated. When they were done they met with me. They said my position was eliminated but, I could stay on if I wanted with a reduction in pay and title. Mind you, no formal offer was presented, nor was a severance agreement available if I declined. Nonetheless, I asked for a day to think about it. On Friday, I went to the office, took care of some things and turned the offer down. That was a week ago. Though I have asked for paperwork formalizing the separation numerous times, I have not received any information regarding the decision, the status of my benefits or a severance package. I am dumbstruck by the actions of this company and extremely disappointed by the lack of professionalism.

Chaplain interview

3:92pm, pacific standard time, neighborhood park, Chandler, Arizona, USA, Thursday afternoon, May 19, 2022. Had a good talk with the board liaison for Chaplain endorsement. They will make their final decision on my candidacy tomorrow. I suspect nothing will hold it up,I meet all the requirements and their process is not stringent. Once that is in place I will have all the qualifications to pursue chaplain work again. Presenting as a spiritual candidate is vastly different than interviewing to be a director. I need to keep that in mind as the next few weeks unfold.

Slow day

2:50pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Wednesday afternoon, May 18, 2022. Last night I went to dinner with a friend in Glendale, but today hasn’t been productive. I am going to shower then run errands. Time to get out of the house for a while.

A silver lining after all

3:00pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Tuesday afternoon, May 17, 2022. The interview this morning went well. I got insight from a former colleague, they have one more candidate on Thursday, then the next round of interviews start. I imagine a trip to San Diego will happen next week to meet with employees at the site. On a personal note, my daughter’s school is hosting a potluck at a baseball game Sunday. Since I don’t have to rush back for work, I can go with her. What do you know? There is a silver lining to being laid off after all.

Utah update: May 15

7:13am, pacific standard time, airport in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, Sunday morning, May 15, 2022. We left Henderson early yesterday morning and drove straight to Mesquite, Nevada. After gambling a little our trip continued north. We arrived in Salt Lake City at 4pm. For dinner we selected burgers and beers downturn. When we finished mom was tired and wanted to turn in for the evening. I dropped her off at the hotel and continued on alone, driving around for a couple of hours, visiting various places, taking stock of what was new. So much has changed since I lived here, yet it all looks so familiar. A lot of memories are rushing through my mind right now. It is an emotional morning.

Nevada check in, May 14

7:16am, pacific standard time, hotel in Henderson, Nevada, USA, Saturday morning, May 14, 2022. We got on the road around 11am yesterday. After settling into the hotel, we hit an Irish pub up the road for some Guinness and watched basketball before turning in. Taking my mom back is a little depressing-I have gotten used to her being around-but we are enjoying the trip so far.

Layoffs: update

8:31am, pacific standard time, parking lot of of a grocery store in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, Friday morning, May 13, 2022. Yesterday was not fun. Three employees were let go; two office staff, one field clinician. As for me, I was given three options; stay at the current site while accepting a significant cut in salary and title, explore other executive positions with the company out of state or, take a severance package and look for employment elsewhere. I said I needed a day to think about it but I already knew what I was going to do. I will accept the severance and find a new job in Southern California.

Layoffs

5:42, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Thursday morning, May 12, 2022. Since this past weekend I have felt a unique sense of peace. Ironically, it is because I half-thought I would lose my job on Monday. The worksite has not been doing well for some time and, as the leader, responsibility ultimately falls on me. Hence, the stress of being relieved of my position is ever constant. To protect my psyche I began cataloguing possible benefits of not working; I could enjoy the trip back to Utah/Wyoming with my mom tomorrow, appreciate a relaxing week in Arizona when I return, then travel to Orange County, spend time with my daughter, and not rush back to a dreaded Monday. Those thoughts have buoyed me through the week. But, yesterday after work, the regional supervisor texted me and said she would be in the office this morning at 9am to layoff staff. I honestly don’t know if I will be one of the casualties. Either way, If I am let go or not, people I have worked with for over a year will lose their jobs today. And there is no amount of mental gymnastics I can do to make that situation feel good.