I need a paper bag to breathe into.

[sophie223]

I don't know if this warrants its own post, but I'm freaking out so I'm making it one anyway. I just found out my company is being acquired right after the holidays. Shit. Shit. Shit. Seven months ago, I was at a STABLE job that I actually liked and my new company recruited me and begged me to join the team--and since about August, there's barely been anything for me to do. I am not billable. I am not profitable. Unfortunately, I am the primary breadwinner in my home by a long shot--we could not survive on my husband's income alone. And, of course, I am 10w pregnant (which no one here knows).

I don't know what to do. I could jump ship, but then I'd have to job hunt while pregnant--and if I get a new job, I won't be eligible for FMLA when the baby comes. I'm leaning toward waiting it out--supposedly, the other company has better maternity leave. Then again, I may be laid off before I can see it. The company has said that they are bringing all of us on board, not laying anybody off--but I feel like that's just something they say in these situations to keep everyone from panicking and leaving all at once. 

THIS IS TERRIBLE TIMING. Ughhhhhhh.

[callmehales]

oh geez, you poor thing!! i dunno what i'd do, but i'm really sorry you've gotta deal with this mess.

[loira]

I'm so sorry. I have everything crossed you'll be able to ride out the storm.

[whodey]

Ugh…I'm sorry - you’re right what horrible timing.

When are you meeting with HR from the new company?

I wouldn’t quit – how would that benefit you? But I would update my resume and start looking for openings online.

Do you have enough in savings to cover you for 2-3 months if you got a new job and took time off without pay after having the baby? If not, would your husband consider a second job to help build up your cash reserve for the next few months? Now is the perfect time with stores needing help around the holidays.

[HoneySpider]

Ugh, that sucks. FX everything works out ok!

[sophie223]

Dec 3, 2015 14:51:02 GMT -5 whodey said:

Ugh…I'm sorry - you’re right what horrible timing.

When are you meeting with HR from the new company?

I wouldn’t quit – how would that benefit you? But I would update my resume and start looking for openings online.

Do you have enough in savings to cover you for 2-3 months if you got a new job and took time off without pay after having the baby? If not, would your husband consider a second job to help build up your cash reserve for the next few months? Now is the perfect time with stores needing help around the holidays.

I'm not sure yet when we're meeting with HR. Probably not until after the new year. 

H and I have been in aggressive debt payoff mode for the last few months, but we're really close to the finish line so we could start funneling that money into liquid savings. Our expenses are really low compared to our income, so if we cut back on spending, we'd have a substantial amount within a couple of months. H already has a second job that he works at once a week; he commutes an hour each way for his teaching job, and with lesson plans and grading at night, he doesn't have a lot of extra time for anything else. 

The things that are keeping me hopeful: my position will not be redundant; I'm not in administration and there's no one at the new company that does what I do. I do bill out for my work, so I have the potential to be a moneymaker when things pick up. The new company is in a totally different industry, so it will probably take them a few months to figure out the ins and outs of our business in order to make staffing decisions. If, god forbid, I lose my job, going back to my old job is a possibility. I'm still on very good terms with them and I'm close with the CEO, who is all about empowering working moms and would probably have sympathy for my situation. 

Sorry for the big unload--I just need to put this somewhere!  :?

[cactuscookie]

Anecdote: My sister's company got taken over by a larger company last year. Not one person was laid off.

Sometimes when one company acquires another, it really is true that they bring everyone on board. Hopefully that's the case here.

[whodey]

Sounds like you guys are in a good place financially so hopefully things will work out and you'll be just fine

[jessnpaul]

A very similar situation happened to me... we were acquired in early August, same month I got pregnant! When I was 12 weeks they cut about 20% of the company. It was a shock however we should have seen it coming. The layoff happened right around when I was going to announce so I kept quiet another week.

I would wait it out if i were you. I don't know what's going to happen at my job either... DH and I make about the same (he a bit more since he has a side business) but it would be really tough to make ends meet with 2 kids and only one salary.

Hang in there and try not to panic. Hopefully if you are on the chopping block there'll be a nice severance package. But I'll keep my fingers crossed it doesn't come to that!!!

[ivy]

How stressful It sounds like there are some positive aspects to focus on (you're not redundant, can bring in money, etc). Work on kicking ass and having a positive attitude at work. Worry when you need to worry. It won't get you anywhere right now! Big hugs.

[sophie223]

Thank you guys for the reassurance. I'm going to try to stay calm and curb the worrying, but start preparing for the worst just in case!

[belovedbride07]

Ugh, that is so stressful. The segment of the company I work for was re-organized halfway through stims of my last IVF cycle, and I was absolutely freaking out at the timing. (Luckily, my department ended up being unaffected.) I can only imagine how you are feeling. My fingers are crossed that everything works out okay!

[bcarp30]

Big hugs!!! Hopefully you won't need to worry about it but just in case I think there are several women on MMM who changed jobs either while pregnant or on maternity leave that may be able to give you some advice.