Reply #13: Here's the drill:

[Dogmudgeon]

1. Get drunk, have crying spells, or go out and get laid this weekend. Or do all three.

Paraphrasing Marx, "to each according to his (or her) vices".

2. If necessary, sober up by Monday morning.

3. At 9:15 AM Monday, start calling lawyers.

4. Plan your strategy from there. A multi-week vacation may be a good thing, or you may want to hit the street while you're hot.

5. If anyone from your workplace calls, be polite, but offer nothing until you have determined your strategy. Unless they want you back, of course. In which case, if you do go back, wait a month and ask for a big old honkin' raise and/or a chunk of your manager's cold, lifeless corpse.

There is always something that can be done. Maybe not with as much power as you would like, but no one is helpless in these situations.

And remember, no matter how badly you fucked up or you think you fucked up, admit NO culpability. Save any apologies, if they are due, for after THEIR apologies to you.

Addendum(b)

I missed a number of excellent points that other DUer have made, so be sure to add them to your list of things to do.

Good luck!

--p!