Laid Off On April Fool's Day? Believe It!
Here's the timeline of the oddest April Fool's Day I've ever experienced:
Just to give a little background. I had been working FT at a short hedge fund in Dallas, Texas for a little over 6 months as a Research Associate. It started as an internship program, but quickly turned into a FT offer after 1 month of grunt work.
5:00
I woke up thinking about what practical joke I could pull on my co-workers, family or especially my girlfriend.
5:20
Downing my first cup of coffee and rushing to get into the office early to tweak some models my MD emailed me about at 2:00 am
5:35
Get into the office and start mindless work and chatting with the other Research Associate about his Easter weekend.
7:30
The whole office (8 people) gets called into the conference room for the usual Monday briefing. These all seem pretty useless as the MD looks like he is going to fall asleep while he preaches to us.
7:45
The other Research Associate and I return to our office after the meeting we find a pile of HR paperwork. We thought this was an eleaborate April Fool's Day prank since we were the least senior members in the office. IT WASN'T. The MD offered no explanation of the decision rather than "business needs have changed." The whole situation seemed felt a little fishy to me. The MD had been in NYC and San Francisco the previous week for meetings with potential investors and the office was closed the day before Good Friday for a "virus" that shut down our computer system.
8:15
Both desks cleared, security cards turned in and thoroughly shocked. I felt like I had just woken up in the drunk tank after a great bachelor party. So naturally, the other unfortunate soul and I walk down the street to the bar to regroup and wrap our heads around what the hell just happened to us.
Anyone ever had anything like this happen to them? I'm curious about some good stories or maybe someone that could shed a little light on the situation. Happy April Fool's Day to me I guess? Ah hell!
I apologize for not writing in the most eloquent fashion, but I'm not exactly in the mood to write a beautiful short story.
That is truly terrible. Maybe you get a call tomorrow saying "WE GOT YOU!".....? My condolences otherwise. I'm sure there are lots of people on here who will be willing to help you out if they can.
I keep checking my email vigorously hoping for that "We Got You" message. I've lost a lot of respect for that office after this incident however. Thanks though Asatar.
Damn, that's too elaborate for being just a joke. Sorry to hear that.
Sorry to hear that man. I think it's a poor decision to have done it on April Fool's day to begin with.
sorry to hear
did they let you keep access to the company email inbox?
Since I've written it, I've lost access to email.
Damn, that's terrible. Keep your head up and pound the pavement.
Did you have any idea something was up? A bad review or your MD/Analyst get in your ass about something? Bad thesis?
Edit: I sincerely hope this is the most elaborate and cruel April Fool's joke you ever experience.
You can sue them for wrongful termination?
i envy you... time to rage and go on Funemployment.
just like Easter, it's time for rebirth/reincarnation (whatever you believe) bro. Whenever a door closes there's always a pair of legs spread wide open. Keep your head up, it's not the end of the world.
Geez, didn't anyone glance at their calendar before making this decision?
Either way, take a day or two to chill out, prepare your resume, and plan your strategy. Then start your engines...the next adventure is coming! There are always better times ahead.
Sorry to hear it. 2 or 3 new L/S shops have launched recently in Dallas. PM me and I'll happily pass info along.
I had no idea that there was a short-only fund in Dallas. What's the asset base like?
To give you some perspective, at least you didn't get some random one night stand pregnant. You still have a future.
User name seems relevant.
Don't worry Barry will take care of you
Obviously an unexpected termination on April 1 is a whole new level of cruelty. I suspect the reason they chose April 1 was because it was the 1st day of a new quarter and it was immediately following a holiday weekend. Employers are very sensitive about terminating employees prior to Holidays (especially Christmas). They probably thought they were doing you a favor by giving you "peace of mind" during the Holidays. Can't say I agree with the approach, but I suspect that was the situation.
Goodluck as you search for your next gig. Some of the most successful young people I know got farther ahead in their careers due to layoffs and rejections, myself included. You can still turn this into opportunity, just keep your head up and plow forward.
Funny, I was terminated a few days before Christmas in my first review....solid.
Thanks for all the comments and PMs everyone. I'm definitely going to take your advice and relax through this weekend and then hit the search hard Monday. Anyone know how I should handle this situation in interviews when they ask why I left my last shop? Will the hiring individuals: show sympathy for it, think to themselves "this dude must have fucked up", or not really care and carry on with the interview as ususal?
Thanks again everyone. Funemployment is on for the week!
Wow that was a pretty terrible decision on their part, at least wait a day. Very strange. Stay positive and good luck, you'll find something soon.
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