While I'll never be terribly thrilled with the new management at my previous employer, back when 126 of us were laid off something really nice happened: a bunch of the people still working there got together and took up donations. It was just before Christmas so they were concerned that some people's kids would go without Christmas gifts due to the sudden layoffs. A couple of my former coworkers showed up at my door with $200. I didn't even know what to say--it was certainly unexpected. But that's the kind of place it was: very family-oriented and close. It made the RIFs hurt all the more because of it, as the very culture of the company was changing as a result.
At my current employer, it's not quite so close. I am a rather private person by nature, though, so it doesn't bother me very much. People occasionally trade favors here and some of them are friends outside work but it's not a close-knit family atmosphere like my previous job.
At my current employer, it's not quite so close. I am a rather private person by nature, though, so it doesn't bother me very much. People occasionally trade favors here and some of them are friends outside work but it's not a close-knit family atmosphere like my previous job.
