You know, because you’ve been reading my blog for a while, that I’m having job woes. For the two years and change before I got laid off in March 2024, I had been looking for a new job. I spent the rest of 2024 looking, until I finally got one… Albeit one with a 30% pay cut. At least I was employed; at least I had insurance and could get my medications covered. 

About four months ago, we hired a new guy to be my peer. He’s six years older than me, and used to report directly to a CTO. Like me, he got laid off and had to take what he could get. 

Well, he’s gone now. Not fired — he quit. Put in his notice, actually, and did it the right way, but still, he’s gone. He was offered a job making twice what he was making (which I assume is the same as what I am making), at a much more appropriate career level, and he had to take it. In his announcement to our team he said:

I was not looking but someone I know recommended me to a company and they called. I really loved working with you guys and am going to miss you quite a bit. Believe it or not it was a hard decision to make. 

Quit lying, bro. I am sure you enjoyed working with us — you showed that regularly — but this was not a difficult decision no matter how much you like our company (which is actually a pretty good company to work for). You drained your savings being laid off for six months, and now you have a chance to continue living within the means you’ve been living while working here and at the same time replenish your savings and retirement funds. I’d have jumped at the chance, no matter how much I like my coworkers. 

But what pisses me off is that he wasn’t even trying (so he says). I’ve been trying so fucking hard for so fucking long and while I am gainfully employed I’ve had to dip into my retirement just to pay my bills on time, even with my paycheck. (Seriously — that pay cut is killing me.) And I still feel like an impostor at this job — right before he gave his notice I had my first meeting of a certain type and my boss was there (with my knowledge; he wasn’t going behind my back) and he had to run the whole thing because even after nine months I still don’t really know what I’m doing. 

Oh, and as far as staying at this company and doing something different — you have to be in a role for two years before you can transfer internally, unless it’s a special case. I’m not a good enough employee to be a special case, despite the fact that there’s a job I’m better suited for that pays more like what I’m used to currently available. So I’m stuck doing this job for another 14-15 months, minimum. 

I guess I can try to be happy for my (former) peer, but it’s really difficult. 

Y’know what might help? If more people bought my books (or read them on Kindle Unlimited). Maybe that could help supplement my income. I have another angry post brewing about that, so you have something to look forward to. 

He wasn’t even trying…