Maybe You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks...

or 'how to write a love letter to your ex-employer'

Yesterday I let something take place that I don't normally allow to happen...I let my usual care-free and sunny disposition slip...Okay! that's not what happened....oh! I really make myself laugh sometimes...which is just as well, 'cos I probably would've been in tears...in fact I was for a bit...

After I let something petty bring me down and upset me, I found myself writing an imaginary break-up letter to my former employer - you know the kind of thing I mean - the sort of letter you send after you've been apart for a while but you hope will either get you back together or split you up for good...just to fill anyone in who doesn't know me or anyone who has managed to let it slide that they do, in fact, know me...I worked for hmv for over twenty years. I lost my job earlier this year during their much publicised administration. I say lost...that suggests that it slipped through a hole in my pocket, or I let it roll under the sofa...no, I didn't lose it, it just wasn't there anymore. I went into work one day and a few hours later I went home unemployed...there was a rather distressing half hour meeting before that, but I'm pretty sure everyone read about that on Twitter at the time...

My letter started out as a 'Dear John' that was addressed to me, but then I realised I really should let the whole company know how I feel...

Dear hmv,

I just wanted to drop you a note to say that I'm happy you are moving on, I'm even sort of happy that you've re-connected with a lot of your old friends - even the ones you said you didn't really like that much when we were still together - but I'm disappointed and upset that you think my opinions regarding how you choose to conduct yourself (past or present) are somehow disrespectful or unhelpful. I'm not bitter about how I was treated by you or towards the people who made the final decisions that were made, but I think I have every right to be. I also have the right to express my opinions and air my feelings on that subject...but I haven't...anywhere! I have, however, shown my ongoing loyalty to you by applying for several jobs within the company (but as yet I've not even been offered the chance to interview for any of the new positions that have opened up). Like J. J. Barrie in the 2nd greatest country song of all time - I'll tell anyone who'll listen that most of my time working for you was a pleasure and a privilege, not a duty - I worked long hours and didn't get paid for all of them. No Charge! I worked days off and cut short holidays. No Charge! I even let you make me redundant without actually giving me any notice what-so-ever. No Charge! The song ends with the line, 'The cost of real love is, no charge'. I, as they say on every TV talent show, gave you 110%. I wont insult you by saying it was all sunshine and unicorns...it wasn't. But like many former (& current) hmv employees, I did it because I loved it...not for financial reward...because I loved it. You, more than anyone, should know how devastating the last year has been for me. All I can say is I genuinely hope you never have to go through the same process again that I (& many of our mutual friends & colleagues) went through this year. It is heartbreaking to lose a job, but it's even harder to give up something that you believed was an integral part of your life. 'What about your redundancy?' I hear you say! Well if you think that's compensation for over twenty years work, you have a pretty weird idea of value for money or indeed the value of loyalty and hard work. No sum of money can compensate for the loss i have felt this year or soften the blow to anyone's self-esteem. As ever, I want to wish hmv every success, but I also want you to avoid making some of the same mistakes.

Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks...it must be better than letting it do all the old ones over and over again...

I'll leave the last words on the subject to someone who knows how to express the feeling of loss and the promise of hope, a lot better than I ever could...

Well, if it's so deep you don't think you can speak about it,

Don't ever think that you can't change the past and the future.

You might not think so now,

But just you wait and see...someone will come to help you.

Kate Bush - Love & Anger

Yours always

A Former Employee