Privately I was an ass

My team were all laid off last year. One of my colleagues that was let go was nasty to me: humiliating me in group meetings, taking over my work behind my back, having meetings in my boss without me concerning issues that affect me, that kind of thing. I think he thought he was safeguarded from ever getting fired after having been there a decade and moving up the ladder. So while we were all finding our way to new jobs after, I got a full time gig. He has still not landed on his feet. At first I was filled with glee that no one hired him, to get back at him. But it's been more than a year now, and I realize that was a shitty thing to feel happy over his misfortune. He has two teenagers to feed, and wife who needs health insurance via work (they are American). The longer he is out of work, the less likely he will get hired. Ageism plays a factor too. Now I feel bad. I have no way to help him as I don't have any extra work to throw his way. All I know is that when you're working for others, your future is never certain. Things can end abruptly and you will have to find your way. I'm looking into starting my own business so that I'm not dependent on my current employer. Because being laid off could happen again.

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MGT

Apr 5, 2022 at 1:42pm

Maybe gone tomorrow

3 4Rating: -1

Anonymous

Apr 5, 2022 at 4:04pm

An American living in Canada and working? Maybe he thought he'd come here and "clean up" and show these Canadians what "real ambition" looks like. He sounds like a snake. Feel for his family, not him.

12 9Rating: +3

What

Apr 5, 2022 at 6:36pm

Goes around, comes around. Maybe if he'd not been such a tool, an ex co worker would have helped him out.
Happened to me, ex co worker was a beeotch to everyone, and no one helped her get a job afterwards

15 6Rating: +9

Karma

Apr 5, 2022 at 7:35pm

Got that sad sack! He can now head back to America where idiots like him will fit in quite well. Don’t waste a moments thought on that sad human.

11 9Rating: +2

dam yankees

Apr 5, 2022 at 9:16pm

they doodle me they diddle me
not a dandy in my eyes
no sir no way no how

5 9Rating: -4

Interesting…

Apr 5, 2022 at 10:01pm

How many commenters have no sympathy for your former colleague. I think a lot of people nowadays feel that way. It’s become a very harsh world we live in unfortunately. Not that I can’t understand why they feel that way, because from what you said he was quite a jerk. But it’s a good thing that you’re able to still feel compassion for someone in spite of how they treated you. Ageism is definitely a big problem for older people in need of work, which is sad because we offer a wealth of experience and skills that very often the younger people don’t have. Most of the people I know who are in their 60’s or even older, are in need of income just to be able to continue to live in Vancouver or the lower mainland. Hopefully he will have learned an important lesson in humility and will be able to find another job soon. And congratulations to you for being a good guy!

19 5Rating: +14

@Interesting

Apr 6, 2022 at 3:06am

Yeah but it can be that way if you're a kind giving colleague too. Face it, not many colleagues really care what happens to the people they work with. They're putting in their time for a paycheque. It's a pretty a phoney purposeless business all around. Can't expect much from those you work with. I think op's got the right idea about working for themselves. In most situations, even if you're doing the right thing, anybody will sell you down the river to get ahead or secure their position.

17 3Rating: +14

@@ Interesting

Apr 6, 2022 at 8:57am

Most truthful comment thus far.

5 3Rating: +2

Yeah

Apr 7, 2022 at 9:01am

If this guy was such a jerk to you, it is probably an overall sign of his character and this is not a desirable trait to potential employers. Possibly, the people he used as references, noticed this behavior as well. It's nice that you want to help the guy, but if he turns out to be a bad fit for a new job, it could reflect badly on you for recommending him. Sometimes people are their own worst enemies and are not given to the kind of reflection that you displayed here. Sadly I don't think there is a lot you can do for him.

6 2Rating: +4

Schadenfreude

Apr 7, 2022 at 1:55pm

It's a Wonderful Feeling.

It's just Karma paying him back.

2 6Rating: -4

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