This happens in Germany, but I’m curious to know what the situation is like in other countries.
My current contract with a division of a state-owned company expires at the end of May—in two months. My current division won’t be renewing it. I say “division” because I wasn’t fired; it’s more like I’ve been transferred to a different position, though I wouldn’t call it a demotion.
I didn’t ask why, because supervisors have lied to me in the past, and if a supervisor doesn’t want me, what good would it do to insist on knowing the reason? He made his mind up.
This came as a complete surprise to me. I found this job easy and enjoyable, and that’s all I could ask for in a job.
I’ve already received an offer from a former supervisor who somehow found out that I’m being “let go.” I don’t particularly like this person, but some of the colleagues there are really nice. That seems to be the easiest option right now.
I really don’t feel like working, and I don’t want to apply for jobs either. It’s so terribly exhausting.
Before you write that I should make an effort to show my company how good and motivated I am… nobody here cares about that. There are coworkers who call in sick several days a week in situations like this and still haven’t been fired. Why shouldn’t I be one of them?
I really don’t want to work.
I would accept the job offer you have, so will have income, but tell them you need at least 5 weeks to wrap things up properly where you are and then COAST for five weeks.
I’ve already received an offer from a former supervisor who somehow found out that I’m being “let go.” I don’t particularly like this person, but some of the colleagues there are really nice. That seems to be the easiest option right now.
this part is stunning to me as an american since it’s spent so much time either unable to find a job and or looking for a job that it’s hard to imagine refusing something that’s already on offer; i’ve survived by taking whatever i can get and i’ve thanked the stars that i work in a field with enough need and pay to keep me alive.
That’s the keyword. American. OP is most likely living in Germany where you get money from the government even if you don’t work. It may be little but enough to survive. This is the reason that people there may choose to not work at all. Quite sad I must say.
I would not be able to vegetate like this. I need and want to work. It’s not fun but a part of life.
Anyway. Hope things will someday get better where you are so you don’t have to work only to survive but can enjoy life a bit more.
sorry, that’s not the situation germany is in at all. Its just that we have a stable social welfare net that will catch you up. no one wants to live in the social welfare net forever, as the saying goes, its too much to die, too less to live. but the story above, as far as it sounded to me, was, that he would be transfered to a new job within the same company, and asks now whether he should put in any effort at all, as his previous supervisor apparently did not appreciate his work at all. He is now considering, what to do until May, whether he should lie low, call in sick etc. until his transfer is completed.
I really don’t feel like working, and I don’t want to apply for jobs either. It’s so terribly exhausting.
This sentence makes me think that OP doesn’t want to work at all but I may be mistaken.
Regarding living on welfare in Germany. Yes, it’s not much but if you compare that to the U.S.A. then you are good off.
I never lived there so my opinion is purely based on reading and videos I’ve been seeing over the years. From having a job and a roof over your head to being homeless seems to be just a step away. Then you have those stories of people having 2 or 3 jobs. Are those cases really so isolated or is it a reality for lots of people?
In Germany this is unthinkable.
If you have the time, put some resumes out before accepting the first thing to come along. I don’t know how things are in Germany, but I’ve always believed it’s easier to find a job while you are still working. That said, if the new position, pay and work culture seem good, taking the position for now may be a good choice. You can always job hunt later.
As for how you conduct yourself, I’d always suggest conducting yourself in a professional manner. While you may have zero intention of coming back to this organization, you never know when you are going to run across the people you work with again. And the next time they may be in a position to help or hurt you. For example, I worked for a company really early in my career which started falling apart quickly. Towards the end of my time there, they announced they were closing the office I worked at and basically gave my department a big “fuck you”. I could have gone out causing trouble or just worked my time until I left for greener pastures. I did the latter. Years latter, I was applying for a job I really wanted and an important member of the hiring team had worked with me at the first job. Not as my boss, just someone in another department. He remembered my work and work quality and had effectively said, “yup, hire this guy”. While I have long since left that job as well, his confidence in me changed the trajectory of my career.
Maybe it’s different over there, but I’ve always heard that “it’s who you know, not what you know” that gets you hired. And I’ve run into that in my own career. You don’t want to be a pushover, but keeping professional relationships professional can pay dividends down the line. Do the job you are paid for, don’t make messes for other people and at least try to be professional in your dealings with others. You may be able to climb the ladder quickly today by being an asshole, but you never know if the fingers you step on today will be attached to the hand you will need to help you tomorrow.
Work only for a bare minimum, so that you will not get too much negative reputation, that may affect you on your new work place.
You mention before anyone says to show your company how good you are… the comoany isn’t a person, it doesn’t care. But in most places, who you know matters more. So the question you have to ask is… of all the people who would know you stopped working now, would any be the type that when asked about you, would mention that. Or are any the type who would mention that you didn’t just phone it in (american expression) if asked about you in general. I say this because having people who would say positive things like that about me has been the key to getting the best jobs I’ve had. So there is some value there. That said, I find it really hard to give a shit when I know I am done at a place.
Your last sentence provides the question; “why work at all?”
If you need the income, you seem to have a ready made route to that (even if you don’t like the supervisor).
If you don’t need the income, don’t work.
