What would you do? Say you were “furloughed,” but you knew deep down it was spin for no one coming back. The agency goes on and on about how they want to bring you back, they will stay in touch during the furlough with updates, etc. your furlough is coming to an end. The folks who made the decision of course haven’t reached out during this time. You gave over a decade to the agency with a stellar track record. You know the decision was political and not performance-based. (Continued)

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Agree with TBWA1 that you should be the bigger person. Their loss, your gain.

Also agree that you should write the email and never send it. It can be cathartic to just get the words out on paper, even if they never read them.

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Agree with the advice to let it go. You never know when in the future you might encounter the same people so respond in a way you can be proud of as you look in the rear view mirror. Just one add: Your post doesn’t clarify whether your suspicion about furlough being code for let go is confirmed. Is it possible you actually ARE coming back but don’t know it yet?

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I am not

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Let it go and find something better. This guy was petty, but if you send that email, that’s petty too. Don’t stoop down to his level.

If it helps, write that letter but don’t send it; the act of putting your thoughts to paper (or word doc) can be just as cathartic.

likesmarthelpful

I’ve been there too (wronged by a coworker and penalized as a result); it sucks, and you’re justified in feeling the way you do! Your feelings are valid, and things will get better. 👍🏻

likeuplifting

Sponsor a cockroach in his name at the Bronx Zoo.

likefunny

😂🤣

It’s a shitty situation but sending an email won’t make you feel better. People like the person who made the decision will never take accountability for their actions nor feel bad about what they did. To them it was a business decision and they don’t care about it being fair or not. That’s unfortunately the reality of the agency world (and business world in general). It’s all about money and the bottom line and the people on top only care about themselves and their own survival. The best thing you can do is move on and leave it all behind you. It’s not worth your energy. In a few months it won’t eat at you anymore. The best revenge is moving on.

likesmart

Very true...thank you

Why not send an email asking for an update on going back? They should have reached out, but in the absence of that this would be a normal thing to do.

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Forget email. Consider a phone call/zoom call. Not from posture of anger but just understanding. Sounds like you’ve been there a while and contributed a lot. At bare minimum don’t leave with stories on why — ask. Maybe you have some blindspots and you’ll get some feedback that will help you in the future. Just a thought.

likehelpful

Thanks. That’s good advice

...you also have a history of delivering for the lead guy who made this “strategic” decision to furlough you. However, he was a bit cowardly and had his #2 actually make the call to inform you of your furlough, and hasn’t reached out this entire time. Do you, A, write an email to the person who made the decision stating your disappointment for how the furlough was positioned compared to reality, throw in some reiteration of this chapter of my career and stellar performance, wish him all the best and move on, or B - let it go and don’t send an email? I have truly accepted that this was a gift in disguise and that this chapter is over, however his cowardly actions and lack of accountability is the only thing left that is poking at me. But then I think, should I take the high road and not say anything? I don’t want to bring bad karma to my situation, but kind of torn...

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You can always leave it in writing and verbally with HR maybe it will strike a cord with the little humanity they have left. Still move on, but I have found it helpful to call people on disappointing events when themes happen in exit interviews. You don’t owe them that, but could work in one final 360 review of the agency and boss.

helpful

Move on, but write an email anyway.

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I would ask you: what do you want the end result to be? And do actions toward that. Karma is a beast and will get us all.

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I believe that as well. My intent was more for closure for myself, and just some level of addressing my furlough directly with the person who did it for political reasons. But after getting advice on here, I’m easily swayed that it’s not worth my energy, and to take a clear high road and move on...

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Ogilvy?

Not Ogilvy, but sorry it’s a common experience for folks!

Is there anything in it for you? Don't do anything if there isn't something in it for you.

Yeah, probably not. Just some sense of closure maybe? But it may be a false sense of closure and realizing it’s not worth it.

Keep us posted. Did you make any decisions/take action?

I’m deciding to take a clear high road. Just let it be and move on. I think reaching out may just bring about more negativity to an already negative situation. Upward and onward!

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