The end of February I retired from 29 years with my former job. I had about 24 years of an amazing career followed by five years of absolute hell. I was surrounded by great people, but terrible management, terrible treatment, the whole ball of wax. 24 years of total flexibility of schedule done away with because the youngsters didn't think it was FAIR and the CEO wanted butts in chairs. We are in a cyclical business and I always flexed my work hours to meet the demand, sometimes working 75 hours a week, sometimes 30, whatever it took for my guys to be able to close deals. Even when I lost my flexibility I continued to perform as that is how I was brought up. That disconnect between performance and treatment caused me a LOT of stress. I was turning out 40% of the work of a department of 10. They knew I would hold on to get to my pension and they were right! I got there, I gave them 120 days to make some changes, none of them related to salary. They declined (turns out they thought I had a non compete). So I retired to take some time to decide what was next.
Mgmt of old job was furious when they realized I had no non compete. That was a fun last day at work. I had a company phone and we were only permitted to back it up to their site. I was told I could keep it, as is customary when you retire. I worked up til 9 pm on the night before my last day. Had two large deal committees the morning of my last day. They discovered my lack of a non compete that day and wiped my phone while I was at lunch without telling me. Basically the CEO had a temper tantrum. The funny part is I had no customer contacts because I work behind the scenes. I lost all my colleague info, family info, pictures etc. So if you are trying to get in touch with me PM me here. This part of my departure made it easier to think about going to work elsewhere. I had a few board members contact me to find out what was up. I never returned their calls. That place is in my rear view mirror. I kept my head up and walked AWAY. I was afraid anything I said would cause fallout on the wrong folks as the problem was the CEO.
After a couple of months, I realized I LOVE what I do, and took a job with the competition!
I just wrapped up my first month in my new job. I LOVE IT! It is all of the things I love about what I do with none of the crap. Total cultural change. I work when I want, from where ever I want as long as the work gets done. So T and I bought a tiny condo at Atlantic Beach and are looking for a lot in the mountains. They are vocal in their appreciation and are all helping me get cranked up on their systems. Learning new applications is tough at my age but I am managing. This staff and the management team are supportive and positive. It is a Dutch company, so perhaps that has something to do with the cultural difference. I wake up early and get to work by about 6, excited about my day. I have total flexibility to go stuff a critter or wet a line when things are slow or I am waiting on info.
The best part, and the most important thing to share with all of you is how it has impacted my health. I have always had the typical problems that go with being a high strung Type A and they have gotten a lot worse in recent years: heartburn, insomnia, diverticulosis, HBP etc. I have had NO heartburn or diverticulitis flares since I walked away. Sleeping through the night. Drinking a LOT less.....and this gal loves beer. And my blood pressure is inching down. This was a scary transition for this risk averse gal, but SO worth it.
And double dipping means I can justify more guitars, and fishing rods
, and Canes tickets.......
Life is good! Don't be afraid to make a change.
Mgmt of old job was furious when they realized I had no non compete. That was a fun last day at work. I had a company phone and we were only permitted to back it up to their site. I was told I could keep it, as is customary when you retire. I worked up til 9 pm on the night before my last day. Had two large deal committees the morning of my last day. They discovered my lack of a non compete that day and wiped my phone while I was at lunch without telling me. Basically the CEO had a temper tantrum. The funny part is I had no customer contacts because I work behind the scenes. I lost all my colleague info, family info, pictures etc. So if you are trying to get in touch with me PM me here. This part of my departure made it easier to think about going to work elsewhere. I had a few board members contact me to find out what was up. I never returned their calls. That place is in my rear view mirror. I kept my head up and walked AWAY. I was afraid anything I said would cause fallout on the wrong folks as the problem was the CEO.
After a couple of months, I realized I LOVE what I do, and took a job with the competition!
I just wrapped up my first month in my new job. I LOVE IT! It is all of the things I love about what I do with none of the crap. Total cultural change. I work when I want, from where ever I want as long as the work gets done. So T and I bought a tiny condo at Atlantic Beach and are looking for a lot in the mountains. They are vocal in their appreciation and are all helping me get cranked up on their systems. Learning new applications is tough at my age but I am managing. This staff and the management team are supportive and positive. It is a Dutch company, so perhaps that has something to do with the cultural difference. I wake up early and get to work by about 6, excited about my day. I have total flexibility to go stuff a critter or wet a line when things are slow or I am waiting on info.
The best part, and the most important thing to share with all of you is how it has impacted my health. I have always had the typical problems that go with being a high strung Type A and they have gotten a lot worse in recent years: heartburn, insomnia, diverticulosis, HBP etc. I have had NO heartburn or diverticulitis flares since I walked away. Sleeping through the night. Drinking a LOT less.....and this gal loves beer. And my blood pressure is inching down. This was a scary transition for this risk averse gal, but SO worth it.
And double dipping means I can justify more guitars, and fishing rods
, and Canes tickets.......Life is good! Don't be afraid to make a change.
?? Congrats. I'm so pleased and proud for you. I could ditto your story and I think I had shared that with you. It's been 28 years since I said "to hell with this stuff". That beer at the end of the pier is waiting
