Back to the Grindstone

Today was my first day in my new job at International Decision Systems in the IDS Tower in downtown Minneapolis. It was quite a day...

Coincidentally, as I was matriculating through HR's New Member Orientation, there was a RIF or Reduction In Force (corporate speak for layoffs) occurring. There is a particular (and unsettling) irony when you are selecting health care plans, getting business cards printed, and scheduling "welcome aboard luncheons" as others are picking up their severance packages.

The company's explanation for the RIF was a global missed forecast of earnings, even though the Minneapolis office basically met expectations. Unfortunately, all IDS locations were impacted by the RIF from a headcount perspective.

The next question that I asked (which I'm sure you are asking by now also) is how secure my new job was given this news? I was assured that the reductions were "surgical" and "based upon performance" so (for now) my employment was solid.

On the bright side, I have a great office space, get along well with my boss and staff, and have some very interesting challenges that will grow me professionally and personally.

However, having been in the corporate world for 20 years, I think I need to hold off on the "you've got a job so you can go shopping impulse". This new arrangement is still on the honeymoon. Let's hope that it's a marriage made in heaven...