Update:
Quit the brownstool.
Offered my services to their direct competitors.
Discussed with my new (at the time potential employers) that I had given my previous employer one-year-to-the-day to straighten up their act, but that had not happened, and so I was available.
I requested to spend a day to see one or two of their crews in action, requested the adresses they would be at on a specific day so I could show up and see how they were getting things done. I indicated that it would be most instructional for me to see the crews and the way they were equiped and the quality of work performed.
They were impressed by this, and I was suitably impressed with what I saw to engage in further negotiations.
Lesson I have learned: Never look hungry. Deal from strength, interview your employer as in depth as they interview you. They will be impressed and won't take offence if they are pros.
My total time unemployed: 48 hours.
Things look good so far, I'm enjoying the trees, working hard, having my contributions repaid with commendations and monetary raises, being given new responsibilities.
If I were'nt such a stickler on ethics, I would have dropped my old employer before a year was out. I commited a year, I saw it out. The year sucked, but I feel good about myself.
RedlineIt
