Ask HN: How Do You Get over Worthlessness Feeling After Restructuring?

#1

Post by tw3999482 » Fri, Dec 08, 2023, 12:30 AM UTC

After 5 years working in a very successful product line, core to the company, the Engineering department decided to restructure the teams to decrease payroll burden and my team got dismantled.

It was purely investor pressure to make the company worth more for an eventual sale.

I found out I was the only one kept to keep the lights on a particular system. The system still generates lots of money, but C-level wants to invest in other options. It was made very clear that there's no opportunity for me to improve on it or work on my domain area.

Now Im stuck in a thankless maintenance role and doing duties outside of my job description. Worst yet, now I have to be always on-call so nothing fails.

Im trying to look for a new job, but between raising two small kids and the stress of on-call duty, I dont feel like I have energy or time to interview around.

I also found out that I was kept on the payroll just because of my knowledge of this system. Never mind everything else that I created and that other teams now own and get to improve on.

How can I get over this feeling of being worthless?

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Get over Worthlessness Feeling After Restructuring?

#2

Post by flexappeal » Fri, Dec 08, 2023, 12:55 AM UTC

Take time off, make yourself fully unavailable, let it burn.

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Get over Worthlessness Feeling After Restructuring?

#3

Post by ignorantguy » Fri, Dec 08, 2023, 1:22 AM UTC

I am really sorry this happened. Depending on your financial situation, you can take a break and prepare for the interviews. it is really hard to work at a place where you are not treated well.

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Get over Worthlessness Feeling After Restructuring?

#4

Post by keikobadthebad » Fri, Dec 08, 2023, 1:23 AM UTC

By not staying in that role, denying them being able to make that kind of decision about your value. You can't stop them thinking like that but you don't have to go along with it.

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Get over Worthlessness Feeling After Restructuring?

#5

Post by sys_64738 » Fri, Dec 08, 2023, 1:23 AM UTC

Don't bother going to work anymore then wait for the call. Tell them your contracting rate is 500$ per hour.

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Get over Worthlessness Feeling After Restructuring?

#6

Post by ok_dad » Fri, Dec 08, 2023, 1:33 AM UTC

You should demand a higher rate, seeing as how you temporarily have them over a barrel, or quit. Ask me how I know they’ll fire you as soon as that system isn’t important. You’re being a sucker by staying there and playing nice. You’re toast as soon as they have other options.

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Get over Worthlessness Feeling After Restructuring?

#7

Post by syndicatedjelly » Fri, Dec 08, 2023, 1:46 AM UTC

sys_64738 wrote: post #5

Don't bother going to work anymore then wait for the call. Tell them your contracting rate is 500$ per hour.

Are you joking? This is extraordinarily bad advice and a great way to get blacklisted. At least be a little more tactful about it…

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Get over Worthlessness Feeling After Restructuring?

#8

Post by sys_64738 » Fri, Dec 08, 2023, 2:15 AM UTC

syndicatedjelly wrote: post #7

sys_64738 wrote: post #5

Don't bother going to work anymore then wait for the call. Tell them your contracting rate is 500$ per hour.

Are you joking? This is extraordinarily bad advice and a great way to get blacklisted. At least be a little more tactful about it…

Blacklisted by who exactly? It’s a stupid job not something sinister. This is a standard tactic used by plenty of folk.

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Get over Worthlessness Feeling After Restructuring?

#9

Post by catlover76 » Fri, Dec 08, 2023, 2:23 AM UTC

I think the "getting over feelings" part is just not a HN question really.

The "what should you do" part--people here can help with that.

Re: Ask HN: How Do You Get over Worthlessness Feeling After Restructuring?

#10

Post by idontwantthis » Fri, Dec 08, 2023, 3:02 AM UTC

ok_dad wrote: post #6

You should demand a higher rate, seeing as how you temporarily have them over a barrel, or quit. Ask me how I know they’ll fire you as soon as that system isn’t important. You’re being a sucker by staying there and playing nice. You’re toast as soon as they have other options.

Besides this hang on until the sale. If this thing is a moneymaker, then the new company is going to need to keep you, and you’ll have even more leverage then.