We have more news. This time it was not about Layne's cancer...it was about his work.
Several people were laid off on Wednesday. Layne was asked into 'the office' and was told that they would not be able to match his disability pay anymore. (At least until things turned around financially for the company.) The employees met on Thursday and were assured that those that were there would all be staying. Later that afternoon, Layne spoke with the gal in HR. (She had been laid off the day before and will be staying through the month. She was going to talk with him on Wednesday, but was apparently a bit emotional and took the rest of the day off.) She explained a few more things and made the reality of the scenario sound much worse than it really is right now. She told Layne that he needed to take full time disability leave, that disability insurance would cover 60% of his salary, the Family Medical Leave Act will be terminated in a month and at that time, he could legally be laid off. The disability insurance would still be in place until his chemo was finished, but...with the possibility of being laid off in November...he might not have a job after his disability leave. We would need to sign up for Cobra for our health insurance (with a monthly payment). If he was lucky, he might still have a job and be able to return when the chemo treatments were completed. He asked if he could come in on Friday to finish up a couple of things. And, would working next week be a problem if he needed more time to complete a couple of things? (They're close to marketing the current product he's working on...it was quite possible he was going to need to work a few hours on the week-end in order to have everything ready for a group next week.) She told him that she would OK working on Friday with management...but, that he really needed to not come in the following week, or they could lay him off at that point. When he came home and told me about it. It sounded a little off. It was hard for me to believe some of it because this company is one of those 'just plain good people' kind of places. People are kind, give each other the benefit of the doubt and work well together. Moral is usually pretty high (except when there's a lay off). So, when he told me some of the news...I was a little mad. I couldn't believe they'd just say..."Go on, leave. And, make sure you take your stuff with you because you're probably not coming back." Seriously? They had always been so kind and accommodating. And now, they were kicking out the guy doing chemo! I then cried on his shoulder for about 30 seconds, and moved on pretty quickly. We talked just long enough for dinner to burn and the boys to finish their piano lessons with grandma while the girls were doing their 'calendar binders' with grandpa. (So great to have them here each week. We don't know what we're going to do when their mission is over.)
The real scenario came to light when Layne spoke with some of the management on Friday. Yes, he was asked to go on Disability Leave until his chemo is finished. It will be cheaper for them because his pay will come through the disability insurance instead of through the company. They have no intentions of laying him off in November. When Layne stated that detail, he kind of chuckled. Apparently, several of the others in management (some of Layne's closest friends at work) were all surprised when he asked about it. They told him that he was a great employee and needed him to come back so he could continue work on the project they're attempting to send to market. It's always nice to hear praise. He felt appreciated and relieved all at the same time.
So, the real deal is that he's going to be home for a few months. We'll be receiving 60% of his salary and we're thinking he'll still have a job in January (or February) when the doctors give him the green light for work after his chemo is complete.
We are very thankful. The reduced pay is not ideal. But, we've lived off less...not fun...but, we're thinking it's 'doable'. It will be similar to when we first moved into our home and Layne was doing a Post Doc. Right now, I'm glad we chose to purchase a home that fit with the salary of a Post Doc...instead of going with a salary that he 'could' be making at some point. So, instead of paying a little extra each month on the mortgage...we'll go back to just paying it off for the next few months.
A couple of items we talked about during that first conversation were the possible good things that could come out of this. Layne had the idea that maybe he doesn't have as long as we thought he had and this will be a good chance for him to spend time with the kids. I was glad we were homeschooling. The kids will actually be around for him to see. I also thought of the fact that he could help with some of the curriculum...math and science maybe. Oh...and if there are two people working on my 'to do' list, it might actually get done. Maybe. Layne was also aware that he needed to have a real plan for what he was going to accomplish. Otherwise, he feels like he'll squander too much time and regret it. (We went over some things today.) We're looking forward to some time together as a family. I almost wish there wasn't a need for it, but here we are. We also thought of the fact that I might be able to work on some 'income for the future' options. One of the guys at work to Layne that he could pick up with the homeschooling and I could start working. Hmm...not sure that's the first option I would go with...I don't quite see Layne and homeschooling four kids meshing.
Layne and I have different styles in just about everything...so, it'll be interesting to see how things work out. Maybe this is another opportunity for us to work together better. We're so used to taking on our own roles...should be interesting.
