Well, not sure how to really start this string, so I apologize in advance for my "ramblings". Some background, DW and I are mid-50's, advanced degrees and corresponding experience, 35+ years working in gov and megaCorp jobs. It's been a very, very long haul for us. We're close (less than 2 years) to 100% FIRE depending on our tolerance to view % risk of success/failure.
Our work lives are pure hell. Her boss is a insane, egomaniac workaholic and even as stable as she has been over the years, it's really, really affecting her mental and physical health. Leaving her job now would also really impact a gov DB pension for us; but, she might not have a choice due to health concerns. If possible, my job may be even worse. Bought by a megaCorp last year and it's been straight downhill ever since then, I mean a sled ride on the Matterhorn. Just this week, they cut employee benefits (sick, vacation, 401k matching, bonus's, you name it) for the 4th time in less than a year, mine included. RIF's and reductions without rhyme nor reason. Employee benefits are viewed as costs and to be pared/reduced/eliminated at will. It's a complete cultural degradation from the previous organization. In fact, one of our best managers left last month with the following statement, " I came to this company 15 years ago for the employee culture and I'm leaving this company after one very painful year for the very same reason". Upper management didn't even recognize his leaving the organization. This guy was talented, will-liked and spectacularly gifted and their behavior has been unbelievable, once again. And as you can imagine, employee morale is now less than zero. If the economy was better, we would need to install a turnstile at the front door. My department lost 2 people last week; in my 12 previous years, losing 2 people per year would be considered a unusual situation. And better yet, being in middle management, I've been required to tow the company line of "cost cutting" while record profits and bonuses for senior management are being handed out. Guess what, the VP's are showing up in a couple of weeks to figure out what's wrong and help "motivate" our middle management. Looking forward to that. They are "forcing us" to put on the "happy face" that nothing is wrong, "we value our employees" and other such nonsense. It's not true; whatsoever and everyone including my boss is well aware of it. Unfortunately, I've never been able to do that; that is, lie very well. My daddy whooped my ass, if I did that. Fair is fair and the corporate greed is completely out of control here. Through the years, my management methods have been to "speak softly, tell the truth always, work hard to value and trust my direct reports and not micro-manage, overload or overly complicate their work. This is NOT the new megaCorps methods. So I'm at the crossroads as well.
Well, after all that background, what do the DW and I do? Take the risk and tell them to shove their jobs and maybe work part-time, if we can find it? Or, hang tough, pretend we're in prison and do the two years time without chance of parole? Unfortunately, for one reason or another I think the 2nd option is probably not probable. We're both on the edge, fuses lit have a large short term funds and we are probably just one confrontation away from being discharged.
So, any advice you seasoned veterans of FIRE can give us? AIs there any way to negotiate a package or tips you can give me? Thanks in advance.
Our work lives are pure hell. Her boss is a insane, egomaniac workaholic and even as stable as she has been over the years, it's really, really affecting her mental and physical health. Leaving her job now would also really impact a gov DB pension for us; but, she might not have a choice due to health concerns. If possible, my job may be even worse. Bought by a megaCorp last year and it's been straight downhill ever since then, I mean a sled ride on the Matterhorn. Just this week, they cut employee benefits (sick, vacation, 401k matching, bonus's, you name it) for the 4th time in less than a year, mine included. RIF's and reductions without rhyme nor reason. Employee benefits are viewed as costs and to be pared/reduced/eliminated at will. It's a complete cultural degradation from the previous organization. In fact, one of our best managers left last month with the following statement, " I came to this company 15 years ago for the employee culture and I'm leaving this company after one very painful year for the very same reason". Upper management didn't even recognize his leaving the organization. This guy was talented, will-liked and spectacularly gifted and their behavior has been unbelievable, once again. And as you can imagine, employee morale is now less than zero. If the economy was better, we would need to install a turnstile at the front door. My department lost 2 people last week; in my 12 previous years, losing 2 people per year would be considered a unusual situation. And better yet, being in middle management, I've been required to tow the company line of "cost cutting" while record profits and bonuses for senior management are being handed out. Guess what, the VP's are showing up in a couple of weeks to figure out what's wrong and help "motivate" our middle management. Looking forward to that. They are "forcing us" to put on the "happy face" that nothing is wrong, "we value our employees" and other such nonsense. It's not true; whatsoever and everyone including my boss is well aware of it. Unfortunately, I've never been able to do that; that is, lie very well. My daddy whooped my ass, if I did that. Fair is fair and the corporate greed is completely out of control here. Through the years, my management methods have been to "speak softly, tell the truth always, work hard to value and trust my direct reports and not micro-manage, overload or overly complicate their work. This is NOT the new megaCorps methods. So I'm at the crossroads as well.
Well, after all that background, what do the DW and I do? Take the risk and tell them to shove their jobs and maybe work part-time, if we can find it? Or, hang tough, pretend we're in prison and do the two years time without chance of parole? Unfortunately, for one reason or another I think the 2nd option is probably not probable. We're both on the edge, fuses lit have a large short term funds and we are probably just one confrontation away from being discharged.
So, any advice you seasoned veterans of FIRE can give us? AIs there any way to negotiate a package or tips you can give me? Thanks in advance.