I work on cars for the Hyundai motor company. A nice little shop in Decatur, AL. I went in this morning, and everything was pretty normal. Our cashier comes in an hour after everyone else to save money (everyone is familiar with the car economy right now.) She walks into the lobby, and not two minutes later walks back out. I found out she was laid off, not a big deal because she didn't do anything no one else there couldn't. We have a parts manager who is very respected and knows almost everything our dealership is going threw. We have two parts guys, the manager and the helper. The parts manager (PM) can not fire people, only the owner and service director. The PM gave the helper a heads up as to being laid off at the end of the day. Again, not a big surprise as our volume has went down a lot in the past 7 months. I am locking my box up when my boss, the service director, comes out and grabs a chair next to it. He is a hard man who no one likes. I often describe him as the best manager I've had, and the worst person I've ever met. He looks at me and tells me they can no longer afford to pay me. I am unexpectedly laid off. My SD doesn't care about anyone but himself and it shows to his employees. He was red eyed and talking with a lump in his throat. He didn't enjoy laying me off, and it showed. Our shop is down to two technicians, which is not enough to do the small amount of cars we get. I wish I could have stayed in until they officially closed, but business is business. I don't hold any hard feelings, the SD told me to use him as a professional or personal reference and he'd help me anyway he could. He told me he fights against unemployment, but he would push for anyone laid off, including mine. If the dealership stays open and picks back up I am the first on the list for a call to rehire. Unfortunately, it's not looking that way. I have already started a few online applications at parts stores and odds and ends places. Even though my friends don't get on BP.net I wanna thank them. I am friends with the local shop owners, and they really help me out if I need something. I have a freezer full of mice so I am good on that for a few weeks. I am confident everything will work itself out.


Sorry for the super long post.

Matt, No more green trees coming soon. Sorry, but when they do I think I am gonna get some bangers!