chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Feb 4, 2016 18:25:21 GMT -5
you guys, I feel like I'm going to throw up. my boss texted me (I'm still on vacation) and asked me to call her when I could. I had said that was fine this week since I'm just home, so I didn't think anything of it. she answers and says "hang on, I gotta go outside. I'm at a bar, and it's loud." um...she works at swing shift like I do, that's weird.
apparently a quarter of the site was laid off today.....including 2 from my group. I actually asked her - how the hell did I survived the cut when I am the last one in?!
so the reason she was at a bar was that they released the whole site early bc nothing was getting done anyway, and will likely do so again tomorrow - especially with the forecast what it is. tomorrow will be some meetings to discuss regrouping and moving forward, and then Monday I'll be meeting with my boss and the remaining members of my group to figure out what each of us will be picking up.
holy hell.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Feb 4, 2016 18:32:13 GMT -5
O.M.G., Chiver!!!! Great timing on your vacation -- out of sight, out of mind!
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Feb 4, 2016 18:34:45 GMT -5
Keep your head down!!
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Feb 4, 2016 18:39:58 GMT -5
O.M.G., Chiver!!!! That reaction is correct O.M.G What the heck is in the air lately? Good luck and I agree with Zib, keep your head down and start updating your resume!
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Feb 4, 2016 19:01:45 GMT -5
well, considering I just got here in July, it is pretty updated. but seriously.....wtf. I guess it was an ugly day all around, as the group that got pretty much wiped out entirely was comprised of people that had been there since the drug we make was in clinical trials. I hope nobody hates me b/c I survived, but what my boss was able to tell me is that my prior experience - which is what got me this job in the first place, as nobody else in the QA group has my background - is very likely what saved me. we have some regulatory audits coming up, and the issue that will be the biggest headache during these audits is for a piece of equipment that is my specific concentration from my previous employer. sorry, I really can't give more detail than that... but I have to wonder if that equipment wasn't a problem right now and I wasn't going to be expected to explain the change controls we have open to fix the problems, would I still have a job?
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Feb 4, 2016 19:04:39 GMT -5
well, considering I just got here in July, it is pretty updated. but seriously.....wtf. I guess it was an ugly day all around, as the group that got pretty much wiped out entirely was comprised of people that had been there since the drug we make was in clinical trials. I hope nobody hates me b/c I survived, but what my boss was able to tell me is that my prior experience - which is what got me this job in the first place, as nobody else in the QA group has my background - is very likely what saved me. we have some regulatory audits coming up, and the issue that will be the biggest headache during these audits is for a piece of equipment that is my specific concentration from my previous employer. sorry, I really can't give more detail than that... but I have to wonder if that equipment wasn't a problem right now and I wasn't going to be expected to explain the change controls we have open to fix the problems, would I still have a job? Sorry I have to be the ass that au probably not, but it is a good thing you are the only one right now with that specific expertise. Start job hunting pronto. And have s few drinks!
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Feb 4, 2016 19:50:50 GMT -5
I'm halfway thru a bottle of my favorite red, and I'm no longer feeling like I need to throw up. but I want to throttle both my roommate and friend for telling me that I shouldn't feel like I do, because I still have a job. um.........??
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Lizard Queen
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103/2024
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Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 4, 2016 19:59:30 GMT -5
My company downsized over the course of about a dozen years. Trust me, it sucks to be a survivor of cuts sometimes too. Very stressful wondering if you're next all of the time, or guilty, or dumped on with more work.
...or maybe it was just my company...
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Feb 4, 2016 20:26:46 GMT -5
well, this is a large enough company. we are just one small manufacturing site. but the company is a spinoff of a HUGE global pharma company, day 1 was about 2 weeks before I started last year....and I fully believe that was a strategic move for the company to be ripe for offers like the one that came thru last month - a takeover offer from another biotech company. but still, I feel guilty.
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Feb 4, 2016 20:28:59 GMT -5
I went to a second interview for a job I have decided not to take. I was on the fence before. Definitely not taking it now. The location sucks. Everything is pretty old school. The commission split sucks. The thins he highlights as "benefits" really aren't. Bonus structure is too skinny. Well, at least I'm sure. Getting ready to pour my second drink. Yay booze!
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Post by mojothehelpermonkey on Feb 4, 2016 21:47:59 GMT -5
The biotech industry is a real jungle right now. Don't feel guilty about making the cut but start planning your next move.
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suesinfl
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Post by suesinfl on Feb 4, 2016 22:17:22 GMT -5
My company downsized over the course of about a dozen years. Trust me, it sucks to be a survivor of cuts sometimes too. Very stressful wondering if you're next all of the time, or guilty, or dumped on with more work. ...or maybe it was just my company... Not a company, but gov't. I've been dealing with this for the last few years. Guilty=yes, dumped on with more work=yes. It's stressful, I'm just the new proposed budget to come out, then I'll know if I have a position or not. I'm trying, sort of, to find something else right now, but I'm waiting until I finish my degree (May) and then I will really be aggressive on finding a new career.
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suesinfl
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Post by suesinfl on Feb 4, 2016 22:20:00 GMT -5
I'm halfway thru a bottle of my favorite red, and I'm no longer feeling like I need to throw up. but I want to throttle both my roommate and friend for telling me that I shouldn't feel like I do, because I still have a job. um.........?? Best of luck, Chiver. Throttle them, you will make you feel better.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Feb 4, 2016 22:29:34 GMT -5
I shouldn't admit this, but I'm working on the last glass of the 2nd bottle of said favorite red. we have a ton of wine storage, and I stock up when it's on sale. the other two stepped out for butts, so I thought I would check in. we have been playing a pretty vindictive spread of Sorry! tonight that has been taking the edge off.
I think tomorrow in the snow, I'll take a closer look at the budget/cash flow spreadsheet and s= what my wiggle room us. unfortunately right now I'm still in no-mans-land between engineering and QA, that I don't really feel comfortable selling myself as a senior QA that is actually my job title right now. so many thoughts, and lots of questions for the rest of you tomorrow when I'm more coherent. in my professional career, I've made exactly one job move - TO this place. advice is absolutely welcome at this time, please and thank you
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moneymaven
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Post by moneymaven on Feb 4, 2016 22:37:18 GMT -5
Congrats Carl! You exceeded your $65K minimum and you are nearly earning a 50% salary bonus without having to relocate or worry about replacing DW's comp. this is a great thing!
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Feb 5, 2016 7:03:18 GMT -5
well, considering I just got here in July, it is pretty updated. but seriously.....wtf. I guess it was an ugly day all around, as the group that got pretty much wiped out entirely was comprised of people that had been there since the drug we make was in clinical trials. I hope nobody hates me b/c I survived, but what my boss was able to tell me is that my prior experience - which is what got me this job in the first place, as nobody else in the QA group has my background - is very likely what saved me. we have some regulatory audits coming up, and the issue that will be the biggest headache during these audits is for a piece of equipment that is my specific concentration from my previous employer. sorry, I really can't give more detail than that... but I have to wonder if that equipment wasn't a problem right now and I wasn't going to be expected to explain the change controls we have open to fix the problems, would I still have a job? Probably not. So start looking bcuz you know they're ruthless.
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Feb 5, 2016 9:20:51 GMT -5
I'm glad to hear things working out for people. Congratulations cawiau. I'm excited to head over to your budget thread now!
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Feb 5, 2016 9:28:50 GMT -5
DH got a part time job offer. He'd get 25-30 hours a week which isn't bad. $9.50/hr which is a $4/hr pay cut but it's still better than $0 and as I pointed out it won't come with all the mandatory counseling and other crap that UE does so that's a definite upside. He's got another part time interview today for the same employer but at a location closer to our house. He's going to go to that one and then will get back to the other one afterwards. We're still waiting to hear about an on site interview for the job I mentioned previously, she told him he should hear from her next week. He applied for a job yesterday that turned out to be with the dairy he turned down a couple of weeks ago (the ad was thru a recruiter). She emailed DH yesterday and they just got done talking. He has an interview at nine on Tuesday. DH is excited b/c he did more research and the dairy pays REALLY well. $16-$20/hr for their QAs. I would think with DH's level of experience he will be able to negociate closer to the $20/hr side. Downside is it is a night position but DH said he's fine with it. If he has to work a crappy shift he's much better at being a night owl than having to get up at 3:15 am to go to work. So fingers crossed! If he doesn't get either of these full time jobs at least now there is a part time offer in his back pocket. That will keep us afloat. Here's hoping things are looking up!
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finnime
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Post by finnime on Feb 5, 2016 9:46:05 GMT -5
LL, sending higher thoughts for you and your family. I know that you have said that your mom speaks a different language that is not common in your area and you really have no family help, but is there a social program that may be able to help? Check with senior services, county/city/state agencies for help. I understand that that is a bit of work with your situation, but maybe someone can point you in the correct direction. I’m sorry you are stressed, but this too will pass, just reach out to your community. Many hugs. Thanks. There are a lot of resources for seniors in my town. It's just the language barrier that prevents them from being very useful. Even the hospital struggled with getting an interpreter in when I felt my vocabulary wasn't adequate. They have interpreter phones that don't work with her hearing loss. I thought a sibling or an aunt might be able to help with appointments, but even if they were willing, (they aren't) I think my input as to how she is doing is invaluable. My mom doesn't tend to disclose too much. Really, just a decent, flexible and local part-time job would be the best solution for the time-being. There just isn't much at all. The decent ones are all full-time, often involving a 45 minute commute. I could probably work at Subway during their lunch rush, but it wouldn't help my resume, and I'm not that desperate for cash to work for so little. Lizard Queen, just a thought - I've worked with and for various medical organizations for which interpreters are a common issue. One way they resolve it is to engage an online service that does a sort of video chat with the patient / clinician / interpreter. Often the interpreters work from home, or wherever. Maybe something you could look into.
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Feb 5, 2016 10:28:07 GMT -5
DH got a part time job offer. He'd get 25-30 hours a week which isn't bad. $9.50/hr which is a $4/hr pay cut but it's still better than $0 and as I pointed out it won't come with all the mandatory counseling and other crap that UE does so that's a definite upside. He's got another part time interview today for the same employer but at a location closer to our house. He's going to go to that one and then will get back to the other one afterwards. We're still waiting to hear about an on site interview for the job I mentioned previously, she told him he should hear from her next week. He applied for a job yesterday that turned out to be with the dairy he turned down a couple of weeks ago (the ad was thru a recruiter). She emailed DH yesterday and they just got done talking. He has an interview at nine on Tuesday. DH is excited b/c he did more research and the dairy pays REALLY well. $16-$20/hr for their QAs. I would think with DH's level of experience he will be able to negociate closer to the $20/hr side. Downside is it is a night position but DH said he's fine with it. If he has to work a crappy shift he's much better at being a night owl than having to get up at 3:15 am to go to work. So fingers crossed! If he doesn't get either of these full time jobs at least now there is a part time offer in his back pocket. That will keep us afloat. Here's hoping things are looking up! Sending good vibes your husband way Drama, happy to hear he got a second shot at the Dairy position. And yes, I agree working an actual night shift is much easier than getting up at 3AM (been on both side, this is the experience talking!). Fingers crossed!
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Feb 5, 2016 10:54:41 GMT -5
So DH got his paycheck from OS. It had his pay as $12.50/hr. He is supposed to have been making $15.50/hr.
He called and got it fixed. Apparently they just changed the salary rate this year. Payroll commented they had to raise the salary b/c they weren't able to keep QAs for very long at $12.50/hr.
DH wanted to tell them you're probably not going to have any luck retaining QAs at $15.50/hr either. It isn't the salary that is making people run.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Feb 5, 2016 11:26:45 GMT -5
So DH got his paycheck from OS. It had his pay as $12.50/hr. He is supposed to have been making $15.50/hr. He called and got it fixed. Apparently they just changed the salary rate this year. Payroll commented they had to raise the salary b/c they weren't able to keep QAs for very long at $12.50/hr. DH wanted to tell them you're probably not going to have any luck retaining Q As at $15.50/hr either. It isn't the salary that is making people run.Even though it's nice that their facility was clean, it's very disturbing to hear how these places that supposedly are selling a "premium" product treat their employees.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Feb 5, 2016 11:35:38 GMT -5
TheHaitian - This is not a question to ask us. This is a question for you and your wife to decide together. If your wife is asking "are you certain you won't be disappointed not taking the HT job?", you need to be asking her "are you certain you're not disappointed about NOT moving to the DC area?". But this is a two of you decision (and JUST the two of you). Personally, I think going on the HT interview and making good contacts there (but remember, you haven't actually been offered that job yet), but taking the Shaw job for now would be the best option. You guys don't have to try and move on short notice, you are able to maintain your relationships at the fertility clinic, etc, and your wife keeps her job and benefits. But maybe create a plan - a plan that says you re-evaluate every 2 years whether or not you want to move closer to DC, and then it can be something planned. Get contact info for the HT people. Connect to them on LinkedIn if you can. Join a professional organization (again, I recommend APICS for what you do, but really, any professional organization) and work on making contacts. Get yourselves prepped so that when you do move closer to DC for your wife's work, it is also part of the plan for your career.
chiver78 - It is okay to feel guilty. And yes, you were kept on for the same reason you were hired. They need your expertise. It is the same reason any person is kept in a layoff - the company feels they need the knowledge/experience/expertise of the people they keep more than they do that of the people they let go. You did NOT rob someone else of their job. Continue to do your job to the best of your ability. It sounds like you have a pretty good boss, so I don't expect she's going to blame you for anything. And work on learning all you can. You were kept around for a reason. But it is possible that reason will go away, so do your best to learn and absorb, and make a couple quick notes about accomplishments for the resume.
NomoreDramaQ1015 - I am glad your DH has the part time offer, and extra glad the recruiter was able to get him in for an interview at the dairy. I hope he's still trying to talk to someone at the DOL about OS's employment practices. It is hard to be a whistle blower, especially in his case where he is not still there (so he gets no benefits from it), but it's a really important role.
andi9899 - It seems to mean that your biggest problem lately has been deciding WHICH job to take. So congratulations on being able to throw one out.
Wisconsin Beth - So is the job going to be posted? Will it be open to external applicants? I actually think, from what you've said, that not re-classing the job until after it's filled will be better for you? You have the experience to get the job as it's listed, but not necessarily what they might require if it were re-classed? So there's a chance they are doing that because they know you (and perhaps other internal applicants) would be great at actually doing the job, but don't have some of the requirements to get passed the screening if it were re-classed right up front. Just kind of my read on what you've said. Hope it works out.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Feb 5, 2016 11:38:20 GMT -5
I hope he's still trying to talk to someone at the DOL about OS's employment practices. It is hard to be a whistle blower, especially in his case where he is not still there (so he gets no benefits from it), but it's a really important role.
He's trying but so far no luck getting a hold of an actual person or figuring out how to leave a message. Nebraska seems to have made an art out of convoluted automated phone systems.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Feb 5, 2016 11:43:37 GMT -5
So DH got his paycheck from OS. It had his pay as $12.50/hr. He is supposed to have been making $15.50/hr. He called and got it fixed. Apparently they just changed the salary rate this year. Payroll commented they had to raise the salary b/c they weren't able to keep QAs for very long at $12.50/hr. DH wanted to tell them you're probably not going to have any luck retaining Q As at $15.50/hr either. It isn't the salary that is making people run.Even though it's nice that their facility was clean, it's very disturbing to hear how these places that supposedly are selling a "premium" product treat their employees. Well it's not the employees who are doing the selling. The product sells itself b/c it is that awesome! I've gone deeper into the wormhole on Glassdoor and I come up with A LOT of reviews that express similar experiences that Dh had and the attitude of the owners.
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WholeLottaNothin
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Post by WholeLottaNothin on Feb 5, 2016 11:47:35 GMT -5
He could try calling the area employment office, where he would have had the in person sessions, and ask them for the number for labor standards.
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WholeLottaNothin
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Post by WholeLottaNothin on Feb 5, 2016 11:51:21 GMT -5
I know nothing of Nebraska geography so here goes:
Nebraska Department of Labor Division of Safety and Labor Standards State Office Building 5404 Cedar St., 3rd Floor Omaha, NE 68106-2365 Phone: (402) 595-3095
Nebraska Department of Labor Division of Safety and Labor Standards 301 Centennial Mall South, LL P.O. Box 95024 Lincoln, NE 68509-5024 Phone: (402) 471-2239
I'm not sure which would be closer to you, and therefore better to call.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Feb 5, 2016 11:51:54 GMT -5
I'll pass that along. I am not sure how far he's going to pursue this even though it's the "right" thing to do I am not going to blame him if once he gets full time employment again he drops it. I want to put it all behind us as well.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Feb 5, 2016 12:02:04 GMT -5
Wisconsin Beth - So is the job going to be posted? Will it be open to external applicants? I actually think, from what you've said, that not re-classing the job until after it's filled will be better for you? You have the experience to get the job as it's listed, but not necessarily what they might require if it were re-classed? So there's a chance they are doing that because they know you (and perhaps other internal applicants) would be great at actually doing the job, but don't have some of the requirements to get passed the screening if it were re-classed right up front. Just kind of my read on what you've said. Hope it works out.[/font][/font][/quote] it's posted internally first, a chance for anyone who is already employed by the city to go for it, not just my dept. If they don't like the internal candidates, they can go external. It just draws out the process. To be honest, I don't know what my manager is thinking on this. She's hard for me to read on a good day. I did give a copy of the current job description (that she'll be using to hire off of) to the dispatcher who's interested but only because I accidentally printed out duplicates. He said he didn't think he'd qualify, which I thought was interesting.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Feb 5, 2016 13:01:02 GMT -5
Even though it's nice that their facility was clean, it's very disturbing to hear how these places that supposedly are selling a "premium" product treat their employees. Well it's not the employees who are doing the selling. The product sells itself b/c it is that awesome! I've gone deeper into the wormhole on Glassdoor and I come up with A LOT of reviews that express similar experiences that Dh had and the attitude of the owners. It is not even that good of a product anymore. OS used to be magnificent 20 years ago. Today, not so much.....especially when compared to Allen Brothers. I think the last order I got as a gift was about 3 years ago, and I got a lot of stuff that wasn't particularly good. I can make my own stuffed baked potatoes, thank you. I realize that they were a freebie, but it really diminishes the product.
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