[quote=flu]Slightly good news is I’m seeing hardware/chip stuff picking up in smaller firms in parts of CA…co’s with business play in asia, which hopefully means that other parts of the commercial tech sector is not too far behind, particularly in NorCal.[/quote]
I am in the above mentioned industry. I can tell you this, *most* of the semiconductor industry with the exception of Intel and a few others are still very much hurting. Here is a rumor: a major partner of ours, a GPS-only semi company (until last month when they were bought by another RF semiconductor player) is looking at significant layoffs at their Orange County design center. This will impact us heavily as they are a critical supplier. We have no back-up plan for this scenario even though I have been screaming about it for months on end.
Speaking of my company, I am in a personal bind and would love some advice from impartial pigs.
I was hired away from my previous company a year and a half ago (a competitor) because I was beating the snot out of, what is now, my current company in my territory. In hiring me away, my new boss told me all the things I wanted to hear (company is making heavy investments in R/D, strong engineering/sales support, etc) none of which turned out to be true. Furthermore, there has been zero investment in the business for over 3 years (our parent company wasn’t reinvesting the profits) and most of us, including myself are wearing multiple “hats”. Needless to say, I’ve been very unhappy and as a result of doing 3-4 other jobs, my main job performance has been sub-optimal. I have asked for help numerous times and have been denied. This week, I was placed on a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) which I refused to sign and countered with data supporting why my performance has suffered. The PIP has requirements that are impossible to obtain. I believe I am being setup as a scapegoat and they are doing a CYA for legal reasons and to eventually deny unemployment benefits.
Here is where my issue is: I recent won a nice piece of business with a tier-one after-market automotive supplier (yeah, I know). To formally award us the business we needed to complete a financial health assessment (we’re private). The FHA showed me that in 2008 we were in the red pretty badly. We did not report 2009 but I know for fact that we are bleeding much worse. There have been all sorts of other financial ‘shell’ games we’ve been playing with our vendors and suppliers. I strongly suspect the company is on borrowed time. My boss does not know I’ve seen the health assessment.
Knowing this, do I let my boss terminate me now? I stand to gain 3 months of full-pay severance, my wife and I have a decent savings, no debt (except our cars) or mortgage, no kids and could pretty much live on her salary. Or do I bust my ass knowing that I can’t meet the PIP anyway and could likely be let go in 60 days or so or a little later when the company goes under? In that scenario I would get no severance and reduced unemployment.
Lastly, I have a local customer who has been trying to hire me for a few years and has told me I have a job if something were to happen to my current company.
