I just lost my federal government job.

[milestogo]

I was a contractor and I work from home. I thought the project had 2 more months. Apparently they got some pressure to reduce the payroll so they told me this was my last day.

When you're at home they can't walk you out of the building.

[underpants]

1. Damn.

[newdeal2]

2. Sorry to hear that

Can you share what department you were working in without doxing yourself? I'm curious what areas they are cutting now.

[milestogo]

5. Judiciary.

So not really under the executive branch, shouldn't be subject to DOGE. But I worked for them through an agency.

[newdeal2]

33. Figures

They have so much respect for the judiciary

[jmbar2]

3. I am so sorry

Getting laid off is like getting punched in the gut. If affects everything in your life. I hope that you have a cushion that will give you time to process this loss. Hang in there.

[Clouds Passing]

4. Sad...

[yellow dahlia]

6. So sorry to hear that.

They are like a runaway train. It sucks to be collateral damage.

[Nittersing]

7. Dammit milestogo

I'm so sorry.

[highplainsdem]

8. I'm so sorry. There are no words to adequately express how much I hate what Trump and Musk

are doing. How unfair it is, to both the workers and everyone their work helped.

[peacebuzzard]

9. sorry .....

that hurts....

[SARose]

10. I'm sorry

My husband and I both worked in the oil business when it went south in the 80’s.

I shut down 3 seismic crews in one day. Worst thing I ever had to do.

Black April 15 - all Gulf exploration cancelled. My husband was riding a seismic boat at the time.

I feel for you. It’s a helluva jolt.

[Nevilledog]

11. That sucks. Can we help?

[Phoenix61]

12. I'm so sorry. nt

[Traildogbob]

13. Damn, so sorry

It may mean nothing but know lots of us out here do care about your situation.
I taught Forest Management at college and most of my students had jobs as Fire Fighters and every Ranger position in multiple federal jobs. So many are getting fired with 10+ years at the job, now also losing pensions, they pay into.
I hate this shit show so bad, we are hurting that you have had this brought on you by these billionaires.

[milestogo]

21. Thank you.

[Traildogbob]

28. I sincerely

Wish you much better. As I do my students that are Certainly as devastated as you. I wish I could help in some way. Damn this regime. I am On SS with a state pension, still considered poverty level income, but I know how to live on it.
It could all be gone at the stroke of a DOGE pen.
The country I served, volunteered during Nam, has gotten here.

[LoisB]

14. I am sorry to hear that. It would not surprise me if they call you back shortly.

[milestogo]

20. I really doubt it.

[Solly Mack]

15. Sorry. Sucks.

[Stargazer99]

16. Maybe it is time to create employee owned businesses to compete with capitalism-can you imagine that crap the capitalist

would try to keep that from happening?
Bernie Sanders can explain employee owned businesses and how successful they are in Spain

[Bettie]

17. Sorry this happened to you

it sucks. I hope you can find something new soon.

[milestogo]

18. Thanks. I hope so too.

[MustLoveBeagles]

19. I'm so sorry

That really sucks. Damn the Orange Menace.😤

[multigraincracker]

22. Apply for unemployment.

Never know, might get some cash while looking for the next job.
Hope this turns into a better job for you
Best of luck.

[Shambala]

23. Sorry to hear that...

No severance pay or anything?

[MichMan]

31. Usually not as a contractor

May not be eligible for unemployment either if you were self employed depending on the state.

[milestogo]

35. None.

[IronLionZion]

24. Sorry to hear that

I would think eventually Congress will decide somebody needs to do the work to fix what DOGE broke. Then they would hire more contractors. It's taking longer than I expected.

If you're in an area with private sector jobs, it might be a good time to apply and interview for those. Some parts of the US are already in recession like the border areas and DC area.

[relayerbob]

25. Sorry to hear that

and hope you were already well on your way to finding the next job, since this couldn't have come as much as much of a surprise.

[1WorldHope]

26. Those bastards.

It already feels like everything is falling apart around us. That's just the icing you needed on your cake.
Wait. No cake for you. 🤮

[MichMan]

27. What were you planning to do when it ended in a couple months as originally thought?

[CousinIT]

29. I'm sorry. I'm SO SICK of this destructive, senseless, penny-wise, pound-foolish bullshit!

I hope you'll be OK.

[dchill]

30. That's sad to hear.

[Exp]

32. Yikes! Sorry to hear this. Hopefully you'll have some unemployment $ for a while! nt

[MissB]

34. Dang

so sorry.

[JoseBalow]

36. More time to post on DU

[Meowmee]

37. So sorry 😢

Sending you a hug 🤗 I hope you find something else asap.

[Aristus]

38. I'm sorry, milestogo.

We're here for you.

[JMCKUSICK]

39. I'm sorry milestogo.

It sure would be nice if you had the opportunity to chase a dream right now. My prayers are with you that what is best for you becomes quickly visible to you.
God Speed.

[chia]

40. I am so sorry. ☹️

[Deep State Witch]

41. I am so sorry

This is awful.

[barbtries]

42. So sorry to hear this.

they never think about the investment that's already been made. I feel quite certain that doge is wasting way more money than it's saving.

[PortTack]

43. Sorry! That just sucks

[Jay25]

44. I am so sorry, also.

[blogslug]

45. I am so sorry

I hope things get better for you.

[lindalou65]

46. Doesn't seem right

I’m so sorry. I wish you all the best.

[democrank]

47. So sorry this happened to you, milestogo.

Best of luck to you

[DENVERPOPS]

51. We really need to be careful Sub

with what we joke about......... with all that is going on...............Soon Elon/Trump will be looking for any one that Disses them in any manner......

[Submariner]

53. You make a good point

[DENVERPOPS]

57. I am sick to my stomach constantly

about all the shit that is happening and their shit that only is getting worse EVERY DAY.

Computers, emails, texts, etc, with Elon running around, is scary beyond belief........

Look at what Trump is threatening to Media journalists for even voicing their opinion, as a violation of "Freedom of Speech" which he ignores, that is guaranteed in the Constitution.......

There was a movie years ago that the plot was based on......"No More Secrets" and we have gone into Warp Speed to that becoming a reality....

[malaise]

49. Damn

[SheltieLover]

50. Sorry to hear this, Miles!

[yardwork]

52. I'm so sorry. How awful.

[allegorical oracle]

54. If you want, one of us could come and perp walk you out of your house.

You're smart and you'll find a new gig -- maybe a better one. (Yeah, the hunt is a pain.)

[Mountain Mule]

55. That is just so wrong

I'm very sorry.

[greatauntoftriplets]

56. I'm so sorry to hear this.

The assholes running the country to ruin will one day have a lot to answer for. Best of luck on your search.

[Joinfortmill]

58. Best of luck going forward.

[milestogo]

59. Thanks everyone.

About half the team was cut. Just a skeleton crew left to finish the project.

They had reassured us over and over that our jobs were secure through June 30. Then we were cut off with no notice. Nobody is close to getting another job.

[More_Cowbell]

60. Make sure someone there has your contact information

In case they realize that they really do need you.

I'm sorry, and I'm sending you good thoughts.

[milestogo]

61. Thank you.

[justaprogressive]

62. What's worst is

operating under the illusion of 2 more months employment!

[milestogo]

64. The illusion of 2 more months employment and the possiility

of another project after that. All flushed down the toilet.

IT Security is not a government priority, not for this administration.

[Docreed2003]

63. Damn miles that's awful

I know you have the experience to land on your feet but it doesn't help in the moment when the rug has been pulled out from under you.

[BumRushDaShow]

65. Ugh

What a friggin PITA.

I had found out a couple weeks ago that at least 8 of my former coworkers who were still at my office either put in for retirment, took the (illegal) buyout, or were (illegally) RIF'd.

Hoping you can maybe get something in a state/local office.

[milestogo]

69. Had a conversation with one of my also-laid off coworkers this afternoon.

He has done several government contracts and said they always give you adequate notice when they need to let you go. The difference here is Trump.

I won't look at government jobs - too unstable.

[DET]

80. That Wasn't My Experience

I’ve seen an entire floor of people laid off in an afternoon with no warning. I’ve seen several contracts cancelled abruptly and all staff immediately laid off. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like you’re subcontracting to a contractor who has the Government contract on which you were working. That’s about as precarious as it gets. In my experience, a Government contractor will sometimes cut you some slack if you are an employee of the company, but not if you are an independent contractor.

Having said that, getting laid off abruptly is a real shock, and I’m very sorry that you’re going through this. I can only imagine the shock that Government employees - especially long-timers - are going through after being fired by DOGE. One of the greatest benefits of working for the Government used to be rock solid job security (except during the occasional RIF). Being fired - especially without cause - is just not in their life experience. There’s a lot of trauma out there under this administration.

[milestogo]

81. I was a contractor, not a subcontractor

And the contracting company has had many contracts with the Federal Government. So I was an employee of the Contract company and the position was supposedly funded through June. I don't really know what happened - it was a shock to me and they didn't give much of an explanation.

[DET]

83. Thanks for the explanation

The biggest downside of being a Government contractor is that there really is no job security - even when you think there is. In my experience (admittedly, some time ago - DC area) a big Government contractor will generally try to find a place for an employee on another contract before letting you go. Unfortunately, with the unconscionable slash and burn tactics of DOGE, your company may have had multiple contracts cut abruptly at pretty much the same time, leaving them with a surplus of employees and nowhere to put them. Corporate management is probably just as shocked as you are. Under normal circumstances, they might give you something like two weeks notice or severance, but they’re probably taking a huge financial hit and can’t afford it.

I don’t know that there’s any point in looking for answers right now since there aren’t any good answers. None of this makes any sense. Eventually, we’ll probably get back to something resembling normal, but we’re all Alice in Wonderland right now.

[Demobrat]

66. Sorry this shit has affected you

and anyone else who didn’t ask for it.

[debm55]

67. I am so sorry milestogo.

[milestogo]

68. Thanks deb

[Ruby the Liberal]

70. I am so sorry to hear this

What a complete disaster.

[UTUSN]

71. I'm infuriated

[GPV]

72. I'm so sorry. *hugs*

[HeartsCanHope]

73. I'm so sorry this is happened to you.

[MadameButterfly]

74. Why zero notice on top of everything

Who does that? What happened to giving someone this month's rent and time to begin looking for a job?
Yeah, I know these guys aren't human and never had to live off of a paycheck. But man, what difference would it make to them if they gave you 2 weeks notice?

[milestogo]

76. apparently it makes doge look good

I'm told the Federal Govt does not usually treat people like this. But under TSF, the cruelty is the point.

[MichMan]

82. I worked in a manufacturing plant support role as a temp contract employee for a few months in 2010.

When the contract is ended, so is the employment. I was in the middle of a project and was told I could finish out the day, or leave immediately. No hard feelings or anything as I knew it was never intended to be permanent.

[MLAA]

75. Sending you all the best wishes and thoughts for the next phase of life you are embarking on.

[Violet_Crumble]

77. How long had you worked there?

I'm guessing contracting is similar to how it is here in Australia. I retired last July as a permanent employee in a large agency, and there were contractors who'd been working there for over 20 years.

Sorry they pulled the plug on you and hope you can find another role quickly.

[electric_blue68]

78. Damn, so sorry!

[cate94]

79. That sucks

I’m so sorry.