I dedicated 10 years of hard work, long hours and commitment to Cabela's. I am gone now, laid off, but I feel just empty and dead inside. All that effort and stress for nothing really. I did get paid and worked with great people. I guess I drank the Cabela's cool aid and thought the company would be something to look back on and be proud of. I guess i was just naive. I regret the lost hours with my kids when I was busting my butt to make the dream a reality. Sad that this experience has tainted my view on the next work experience.
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Mentioning Tommy and accountability in the same sentence is actually funny. There has been no accountability in this company for years. Managers are told to slash costs, yet on Monday morning, and entire department is bragging about the retreat they just took to Aspen. The head of recruiting blows her budget by millions and she is promoted to another department. A hairdresser is hired to be a receptionist and before you can blink, she's in charge of an entire department. Employees are hired and promised opportunities to progress, only to be held back by an insecure manager (and don't you dare go to HR to complain or file a complaint because the corruption runs deep). The CFO did not report the proper amount of taxable income and the company was fined one million dollars....he personally paid and additional $50,000 fine....why in the hell was he not terminated?????
My heart hurts for you....my family has experienced the same thing. But I am here to tell you....there is life after Cabela's. There are great companies out there that will value your experience and expertise. Please take time to grieve, because your loss is real and no one of quality will ever deny you your feelings. I hope you were given a decent separation package that will afford you the time to really think about what you want to do with this new beginning. It's scary, but this is also a great opportunity for you to explore something entirely different. If you were offered outplacement assistance, take advantage of everything that is offered, even if you think you don't need it. And above all, hug your wife and kids. Thank God for them. Treasure the time you now have with them.....ride your bikes together around the park, go walk the trails, throw a ball around the yard, have a tea party.
Thanks everyone for your kind words and encouragement. I wish you all the best. I really did not expect any reply, just needed to get the remorse off my chest. The early years were fantastic and fun. I wont point a finger at any particular leader, as i have no idea what goes on in the big office, but I will acknowledge that things went south quickly under Tommy. Thank you.
Well put, instead of a destroyer - he is the one that always talks the importance of leadership and holds everyone accountable - it all rolls downhill - he is the problem when you look at where the buck stops To say anything else is totally idiotic.
So sorry to read these posts.
There was corruption in the accounting and financial reporting area. The blindness that went on with Cabelas branded products is a big issue. Frankly I am surprised that the stock holders and government are not requiring jail time for the guys that allowed this to happen and so many lives uprooted and damaged.
The CEO signs off on the financials, it is a part of the year end financial report. As the "Chief Outfitter" I think he should stand up and take blame. Be a leader !
Reading these posts, loyalty is gone from those most loyal. The corporate managers that drink the cool aid will be surprised when they find out that they are also out the door.
Many that are still working for Cabela's feel the same way. EMPTY as the compass results come out and they are bad, as expected, so no big deal. Of course they were expected, leadership we can no longer trust, leadership that has guarantees, no matter what, leadership that can't even count how many employees lost their jobs in the quad deal. Leadership that can no longer look an employee in the eye as they know the destiny of the company. Can't tell...we all get that.... homes we won't be able to pay for, uprooting families for greed, you need to get that. Better look for jobs now before everyone else is looking for the same job.
One of the important learnings is that no job is worth giving up family - they did a good job of convincing everyone that it was being loyal and the way to have security and a permanence - and that was true when Dick and Jim owned the company - with Tommy, nope - he was out for himself from the start along with the supporting cast - take pride in what you accomplished and gave yet learn going forward. Cabala's seems to be a great place from the outside and go with what people imagine - not the reality that Tommy brought - and move on in faith and passion.
Getting laid off feels like someone died and you feel worthless. I did almost 25 years and was laid off. Good luck on your new adventure.
Sad to hear you have joined the ranks of the dispossessed,. It is never easy to start over
Good luck and God's blessings in your search
I feel for you..I really do..........10 years in myself with no work/life balance..........missed a ton of stuff with the kids.........gave up weekends and Holidays because at that time I cared........I actually gave a sh-- about this store....this company......talked with the wife last night.....brought the resume out again......Didn't want to..........feel like I'm getting forced to..........Sorry you lost your income and family has to suffer......
I hear ya. I heard their 2020 vision is calling to change the flavor mixed with Mad Dog 2020. Lucky them.