busker

Laid Off #5

Dateline Tues, Dec 4,
1100hrs: Mass of mails since last posting.

Contact from all sorts of ex-colleagues, most from home addresses, message: I've been "shafted".

To my alarm, my earlier posts circulated among all with whom I dealt and with whom I seem to have made a mark.

No matter that there appears to be no intention of appointing an in-store stool-pigeon - that I was even told there'd be one has riled folks.

Flattery: Any tension or misunderstanding that might have existed in the early days of the start-up have been considerably aggravated by my successor.

If a delegation to The Man demands my return or a *real* go-slow, would that work?

Immediate panic mail from me: I'm still job searching and Ineed the good will of the boss. Please - no one do nothing.

From customers, many of whom seem to be major players in the field:

• It's clear I've been dealt from a less than straight deck
• They might have bawled me out before but it was the game, not the player.

  "The truth I dealt was eminently more satisfactory than the slithery half-truths they're now been insulted with.

• "Chris - with you, at least I knew where I stood and could concoct my own lies for my customers. Now I don't knowe where I stand. Is there *any* way you can keep in touch with your former employers so I can hear from *YOU* what is going on? Let me know the price and I'll have my accounts dept arrange the necessary transfer.
• "Chris -let me speak frankly. I do large business with X. I'm seriously wondering if a company who can (deleted) its dealings with good staff is going to give a [deleted] about serving merte customers.

  "If you're staying in this business, let me know where you end up and I'll transfer my business.

  If you need a reference, you have my direct line. I *need* professionals like you at the other end."

• "By the way, the order came in time, thanks to your efforts (after being dumped).

  "When I called, I was transferred to O who'd got your update and was acting as necessary. I gather you sent mails even after your dismissal. A real pro, and you didn't forget us."

Post-script: While I was searching for work here, I didn't want to jeopardise my references; now I'm Euro-bound, I feel free to tell my side.