I was holding out on making this post until my last day but due to some rather surprising events that day is today. I told Jive a few weeks ago that I had found another job and that I would be leaving. My last day was supposed to be this Friday. Early this morning we all got an email from our VP of Engineering saying goodbye. I was totally shocked. That was the 2nd VP to leave (or get laid off) in the last 2 weeks.
I pinged some of my friends in the office asking what was up and all I got was “we can’t really talk about it yet.” So I continue to work and finish up my tasks (keep in mind I only have 3 days left) when my manager asks me to come with him. We go upstairs and meet with some HR lady who I have never seen before. They proceed to tell me that a lot of decisions have been made and they want my last day to be today.
I didn’t really care because I was already leaving. All it meant was I got a little vacation before starting my new job. I saw some other envelopes with other employees names on them. I hadn’t realized until then that there was going to be an all out massacre.
The only part I’m upset about is that I had to leave immediately. I wasn’t allowed to get anything off my computer, save what I was working on or anything. My wedding picture is still sitting on my desk and my things are in the drawers. They made everyone leave right away. So I guess I have to go back to get my stuff which is dumb.
So a bunch of my friends lost their jobs without any sort of warning. I hear 38 36 total. It could be more, idk. After talking to a good friend who is still there I was informed that this all happened because of RIF Regulations (Reduction in Force). I don’t really know anything about that or what it means. I’m just glad I got out when I did and I hope everyone else comes out on top.
UPDATE: I’m on TechCrunch!
EDIT: Ok, since this post I have talked directly to Jive’s head of HR and everyone was allowed to get their things. Everyone had a choice to collect their belongings immediately or later. Something was miss communicated to me along the way. I now have my things and it’s all good.