I know how you feel as I once was layoff too. It came unexpected and worse part I put my heart and soul into the job. I spent over 50 hours a week and sometimes even weekends and was on salary without overtime.
That was almost 10 years ago and now I am do not feel I am better off. I am still doing the same type of work but with a different firm. What I have learned from my past is that there is no such thing as loyalty. It is a business decision and at the end of the day if I get layoff I can not take it personal.
Most of our time in life is at work for the typical 40 hour a week job. Naturally everyone needs to sleep so that leaves a lot less time with the people we care about the most, friends and families. Yet to many corporations the only thing that matters is the bottom line.
You have reminded me that I should stick my neck out and ask for more money. Even in my current job any hour over 40 I am not earning any overtime. What is all the sacrifice I do for then? Thanks for opening out of your experience and giving the same advice I have deeply thought about but been fearful in expressing them in fear of retaliation. I can not take it personal and it is my duty to financially protect my family.
Good luck on your future endeveors and may your fill your time in life with doing things that has meaning to you. Thanks.
Sounds like we are in the same boat. I've given so much for the company as I felt compelled to return the favor. 60 to 70 hours a week was not alien to me at this company plus 80% of my time was spent traveling out of the country leaving my wife and kids on their own for 2 weeks per travel. Thanks and wish you luck as well.