General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI just lost my federal government job.
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
(190,263 posts)newdeal2
(2,413 posts)Can you share what department you were working in without doxing yourself? I'm curious what areas they are cutting now.
milestogo
(20,441 posts)So not really under the executive branch, shouldn't be subject to DOGE. But I worked for them through an agency.
They have so much respect for the judiciary
jmbar2
(6,839 posts)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
(4,560 posts)
yellow dahlia
(2,324 posts)They are like a runaway train. It sucks to be collateral damage.
Nittersing
(7,200 posts)I'm so sorry.
highplainsdem
(55,682 posts)are doing. How unfair it is, to both the workers and everyone their work helped.
peacebuzzard
(5,503 posts)that hurts....
SARose
(1,398 posts)My husband and I both worked in the oil business when it went south in the 80s.
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. Its a helluva jolt.
Nevilledog
(54,223 posts)Phoenix61
(18,318 posts)Traildogbob
(11,079 posts)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
(20,441 posts)Traildogbob
(11,079 posts)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
(10,271 posts)milestogo
(20,441 posts)Solly Mack
(94,895 posts)Stargazer99
(3,187 posts)would try to keep that from happening?
Bernie Sanders can explain employee owned businesses and how successful they are in Spain
Bettie
(18,195 posts)it sucks. I hope you can find something new soon.
milestogo
(20,441 posts)MustLoveBeagles
(13,178 posts)That really sucks. Damn the Orange Menace.😤
multigraincracker
(35,556 posts)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
(166 posts)No severance pay or anything?
MichMan
(15,044 posts)May not be eligible for unemployment either if you were self employed depending on the state.
IronLionZion
(48,661 posts)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
(7,160 posts)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
(1,166 posts)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
(15,044 posts)CousinIT
(11,298 posts)I hope you'll be OK.
dchill
(42,213 posts)Exp
(282 posts)so sorry.
JoseBalow
(7,333 posts)
Meowmee
(8,906 posts)Sending you a hug 🤗 I hope you find something else asap.
Aristus
(69,826 posts)We're here for you.
JMCKUSICK
(2,123 posts)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
(2,547 posts)Deep State Witch
(11,760 posts)This is awful.
barbtries
(30,368 posts)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
(35,618 posts)Jay25
(421 posts)blogslug
(38,806 posts)I hope things get better for you.
lindalou65
(331 posts)Im so sorry. I wish you all the best.
democrank
(11,440 posts)Best of luck to you
Response to milestogo (Original post)
Submariner This message was self-deleted by its author.
DENVERPOPS
(11,974 posts)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
(12,973 posts)DENVERPOPS
(11,974 posts)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
(283,612 posts)
SheltieLover
(67,271 posts)
yardwork
(66,458 posts)
allegorical oracle
(4,767 posts)
You're smart and you'll find a new gig -- maybe a better one. (Yeah, the hunt is a pain.)
Mountain Mule
(1,124 posts)I'm very sorry.
greatauntoftriplets
(177,564 posts)The assholes running the country to ruin will one day have a lot to answer for. Best of luck on your search.
Joinfortmill
(17,919 posts)milestogo
(20,441 posts)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
(2,219 posts)In case they realize that they really do need you.
I'm sorry, and I'm sending you good thoughts.
milestogo
(20,441 posts)justaprogressive
(3,497 posts)operating under the illusion of 2 more months employment!
milestogo
(20,441 posts)of another project after that. All flushed down the toilet.
IT Security is not a government priority, not for this administration.
Docreed2003
(18,140 posts)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
(151,719 posts)
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
(20,441 posts)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
(1,974 posts)Ive seen an entire floor of people laid off in an afternoon with no warning. Ive seen several contracts cancelled abruptly and all staff immediately laid off. Correct me if Im wrong, but it sounds like youre subcontracting to a contractor who has the Government contract on which you were working. Thats 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 Im very sorry that youre 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. Theres a lot of trauma out there under this administration.
milestogo
(20,441 posts)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
(1,974 posts)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 theyre probably taking a huge financial hit and cant afford it.
I dont know that theres any point in looking for answers right now since there arent any good answers. None of this makes any sense. Eventually, well probably get back to something resembling normal, but were all Alice in Wonderland right now.
milestogo
(20,441 posts)I don't think I've ever been laid off by nicer people. I knew that it was not my fault, and it was not their choice to do this. It still hurts, but there really is nobody to blame except the powers that want to cut government spending. Somehow the administration will keep going with that mission until nothing functions as it should, and then they'll act surprised.
They hate the judiciary. I'm sure they would love to fire federal judges if they could. Instead they will make it more difficult for them to do their jobs.
Haggard Celine
(17,174 posts)Getting fired or let go is a horrible feeling. Even if others are being fired too, it still feels deeply personal, like a sign that the cosmos hates you. I hope you're employed again very soon. The sooner you get another job the better. Employers don't like hiring people who have been out of work for too long. Good luck!d
Demobrat
(10,151 posts)and anyone else who didnt ask for it.
debm55
(44,404 posts)
milestogo
(20,441 posts)Ruby the Liberal
(26,426 posts)What a complete disaster.
UTUSN
(74,033 posts)GPV
(73,286 posts)HeartsCanHope
(1,004 posts)
MadameButterfly
(2,919 posts)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
(20,441 posts)I'm told the Federal Govt does not usually treat people like this. But under TSF, the cruelty is the point.
MichMan
(15,044 posts)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
(19,169 posts)
Violet_Crumble
(36,241 posts)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
(21,221 posts)cate94
(2,954 posts)Im so sorry.
True Dough
(22,868 posts)So many axes falling federally under this shitty admin.
Someone else will benefit from hiring you. In the meantime, you have plenty of moral support here on the DU. Take care.
Oopsie Daisy
(5,672 posts)Are you in the DC/MD/VA area? It's an expensive place to be unemployed, but hopefully you'll find something soon.
milestogo
(20,441 posts)And I am looking for remote work again.
Farmer-Rick
(11,741 posts)To the economy, especially to a capitalist economy.
That's why economic crashes and recessions always include huge amounts of job losses. But hay, a drug monkey, pedophile and very short despot are happy about it. So, Musk, Trump and Putin can make a tiny little economy all of their own.
Ilsa
(62,737 posts)And I hate that they take advantage of your remote work situation to make the firing easier.
I hope you can find some quickly, maybe by stealing the project from the bosses.
milestogo
(20,441 posts)Wild blueberry
(7,607 posts)Yesterday all I could say was (expletives deleted) What a rotten thing!
Today sending best wishes for you to find something even better than you could have imagined.
And that the universe is is helping.
Please take care of yourself post-shock.
Let us here know if we can help.
milestogo
(20,441 posts)Working on the resume... going to bake some bread today.
IthinkThereforeIAM
(3,177 posts)... obviously they pulled the rug out from under you as just got to the "fringe end". I am retired USPS, my dad is retired USDA and my kid brother is a USDA inspector in charge, as was my dad. He had been inspecting eggs... but they moved him back to checking the federally inspected local butcher houses/wild game processing places. He has lots of experience from Arizona to Kansas to Wyoming. Hopefully that will keep him employed.