How much change is too much?

4:57pm, pacific standard time, parking lot in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Wednesday afternoon, June 1, 2022. Signed my severance agreement today and sent it back. The money should be in my account the end of next week. Two interviews are scheduled for tomorrow; one is San Diego job and the other is for the opportunity I mentioned yesterday. I am contemplating Chaplaincy more. I want change, I want to do something I like but, I am struggling with how much change to make.

Updates

6:08pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Tuesday evening, May 31, 2022. Had a call with a recruiter today but I don’t expect much to come of it. Not really an area I want to live or a company I want to work for. Also had some recruiters reach out for different positions. One was a bit different, somewhat tied to hospice and post-acute care, but indirectly. Might be a better choice for me right now.

I remain open to anything

3:11pm, pacific standard time, parking lot, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, Thursday afternoon, May 26, 2022. The meeting about severance with the previous company went well. I will have the document reviewed just to be sure but, it does help bridge the gap. Also, the interview in Glendale was positive this afternoon. It is a fast growing start up company. The opportunity is excellent but, the position won’t be available until August. That is too far away to be an option for me. I have one more virtual meeting today at 5pm. From what I gather it is with a senior living company in Orange County, California starting their own hospice. It might be a bootstrap operation for a while. Not sure how it will go but, I remain open to anything.

Job updates, Wednesday, May 25

3:28pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Wednesday afternoon, May 25, 2022. Busy day today; finally have a meeting tomorrow morning to discuss my severance with the previous company. After that, I drive to Glendale for an in-person interview to explore the Senior Leadership position I was contacted for yesterday. Finally, I have a virtual interview with a hospice in Orange County, California tomorrow evening at 5pm. A lot of options available, now it is time to see which is the best one.

Always look forward, never back

5:26pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Tuesday evening, May 24, 2022. The hiring director for the job in San Diego contacted me today. I have a virtual interview with Senior Leadership next Thursday. In addition, I was contacted for a different position this afternoon. It would require more travel and commitment but, at a much higher salary. Either way, I will return to California and be close to my daughter. I accept whatever outcome fate offers me. Always look forward, never back.

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.

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.

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.