R.I.F.

Reduction In Force.

I guess in the corporate world it's a lot more palatable to say you've had a RIF than to say you've laid people off.

It's too similar to R.I.P.

I think it's a horrible term, particularly since I got RIFd yesterday... by phone... while on vacation.

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I was already making plans for the future that didn't include my now former employer. On the other hand, nobody wants to lose their job. I shouldn't say that. I imagine there are some people who'd like to lose their job for whatever reason.

It's not the end of the world. I have some opportunities available and I had already made plans to enroll in community college this fall to study electrical technology with my eye on eventually becoming an electrical contractor.

I feel for everyone who was let go yesterday, especially my co-worker Julie Ball who had been with the company much longer than I had. I'm still trying to find out how long. I hear she's not taking this well, which is understandable.

A local blogger who used to work for my former company and who keeps up with local media has written a post on the layoffs.

Anyway, as I mentioned on my Facebook page, I'm still smiling. Moving on.