lehmann [sic] bank is scary

[zippitippitoes]

..oh dear

This is a bit random but I've literally just had a colleague on the phone asking if I know of a Reward Manager for a short term contract starting asap, they must have an investment banking background - job is split between UK and Europe - can't say much more about who it is. Aero - I realise this isn't what your husband does but if you, he or anyone else knows anyone who's available, please let me know. I work for Merrill Lynch so checking here too as the fall out hasn't started yet but there must be people looking for other things.

allbubbles sorry to hear about yoru dn' girlfriend... think that a lot of accountancy firms are being tighter re taking on (hence why deferred) rather than sacking (last recession did this and ended up with insufficient trained staff in some areas to meet demand when ecomony picked up)

Just talked to my mum. Am trying very hard to hold it together and not cry, or the floods will come and I really don't want anyone asking what's wrong at school. My stomach has got to pot though (no pun intended).

Were with GMAC (who own all the MAS; mortgage agency services LTD) and Iv just read that theyve cut 5000 mortgage related jobs and closing all 200 of their retail offices in the US. Theyre one of the biggest in UK and US. Here.

OH Aero. Is he coming straight home?

oh aero..poor you - can a friend pick kids up for you to give you a bit more time ?

So sorry for you too, flubdub. This is awful!

Thanks. Think me and dp are just pretending everythings ok tbh! Were not talking about it. Dp just pt Bloomburg on for two minutes, then turned it off. Weve just had a new baby, its not what we need. were minus£300 at the end of each month. Fgs we cant afford food, and those bastards sit at the top with the £XXXXXXXXXXX salaries!

God, this is awful.

Aero, Flub, Chipmunk, you must be in shock. I'm so sorry.

It is early days, look after each other and see what comes when the dust settles.

I sympathise with you guys. AS I mentioned on another thread, I was once made redundant. I work in th eoil business which goes through similar cycles. Being made redundant was horrible. I hope to never experience that again.

But, must be much worse when you have little ones who depend on you (which I didn't at the time).

You WILL get through it, just as I did. But it won't be much fun.

Fingers crossed for everyone in the city.

Good Luck people. As a family we went through this in the 80's and a couple of times since. DF was in construction and suffered alot. I do not think i have ever got over the fear of redundancy. Once you have recovered from the shock look at any help. I know that you do not want to think about benefits, but that is what the system is for.

sorry to hear about this.

like Athene, my dad was in the oil industry - petroleum engineer - and had to weather many storms, which included having to work abroad in some dangerous and pretty undesirable locations in order to avoid redundancy and keep a roof over our heads.

i've gone through redundancy myself on two occassions.

wishing you all the best in finding new work fast, to anyone who's lost their job.

so sorry Aero, one of our dearest friends is in same position as your dh.take care

I was up at Canary Wharf in London where Lehmann's hq are (were), and seeing the people standing on the street with their Iron Mountain boxes really brought it home to me. These are real people.

I've worked at several investment banks, and saw some tough times, but at least those people were "only" made redundant, with often very good packages. These people won't get anything (probably not even their salary!)

I'd only skim-read the thread, sorry, Aero, all the best to you, your DH, and your family. Hope it all works out well for you.

are the lehman employees not also shareholders so they lose saving s too

How terrible. I will be thinking of you, Aero, Flub, Chipmonk and anyone else affected by this.

Thank-you everyone.

We're just trying to get our heads round this now. Flub and chipmonk - I know how you feel and it's rotten. Lets hope better things aren't too far off.

Dh is dozing on sofa surrounded by our three gorgeous dc.

So sorry about this Aero.

I was made redundant the week before last, which was awful but I at least have been given lots of notice and a good redundancy payment, so I cannot imagine how you are feeling at the moment .

Don't despair A. Things will be ok. Am praying for the meeting tomorrow as is my Dh - do you know when he needs to be there for?

SK is coming over for coffee tomorrow morning. You are (as ever) welcome if you fancy it.

Huge hugs, for dh too.

D xxxx

Thanks Cadders. SK has sent me a few texts today. I might well join you. Need my lovely friends shoulders right now. Will see what happens in the morning and let you know.

I don't know what time they'll be meeting tomorrow - dh currently putting ds2 to bed (something which doesn't often happen during the working week). Will ask when he comes down. I go from feeling ok/calm to feeling cold and sick - it's wierd.

(Also getting a little paranoid re another thread and hoping mners know me well enough to know this is for real 100% genuine).

Between last weeks hosp appt with dd and probable dx and now this, I'm feeling rather delicate atm. Bit of a shitty week tbh.

trixy - how rotten for you. Hope you get something else soon.

Thanks Aero. So do I!!

Fingers crossed for your Dh's meeting tomorrow.

Turn up at will my dear. There wll be cookies (calorie free), coffee, gin (if it comes to it) and pleanty of hugs and shoulder.

I must have missed what the outcome of dd's dx was. Will quizz you another time.

Hang in there. We are here as much as you want us and we will do everything in our power to help.