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Unstable Ground
Back in October, I wrote about the layoffs that were taking place at my job. At the end of the day, they fired about 10% of the company, with my department being hit the hardest. I told you guys how my heart dropped when I heard the guy across the hall packing up his stuff while having a conversation with his wife about his kids. There are many more stories like that one and it was unfortunate to see all those people go. As sad I was, deep down I was still happy to have a job. And so were a lot of people I know. However, it’s not all sunshine and flowers for those still in the work force. Things haven’t gotten any better and it’s about as quiet and solemn as a cemetery around here. People realize that they’re not in the clear yet.
After getting rid of their biggest expense, and yet your biggest resource, it’s tough for a company to find other places to cut back. But since I’m in a client service business and our clients are still tightening their wallets, my company and many other companies in similar industries had to find a way to do the same. Here at the gig, they established a raise freeze for the next year or two and the executives all took a pay cut. They also eliminated all frills and told people to try as hard as they could to only work eight hours a day. Like that’s going to happen. All of it sounded ridiculous at the time, but I’ve come to find out this isn’t that extreme at all. In fact it’s quite tame.
My friend’s company cut all their employees wages across the board with their e-board taking the biggest hit. That was crazy to hear. Especially since they’re understaffed. Which means my friend and her coworkers have to grind like the slaves in Egypt for lower pay. My heart goes out to those folks.
Another shop I know of not only had all their employees take a pay cut, they also instituted a four day work week. Thus garnishing their employees wages even further. Makes sense because if you’ve already laid people off and the rent/bills of the actual place of business are piling up, something has to give. However, I just can’t imagine being told not to come into work one day a week. It makes your job tougher, because now you have to accomplish what you would in five days in four.
This is just the second stage of what companies are doing to cut their expenses. Makes me happy to have my job still, but cautious of what my company will do next. Will there be more layoffs? Will I end up getting paid the same amount, or less, than when I first started? Or will I end up not even working a full week? A nine to five used to be such a sure thing, but like everything else in the economy right now, it’s becoming quite uncertain. So this weekend enjoy what you have and keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground.
Seattle – Still Thankful For What I Have – Washington
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I hear u on this post. I hate my job but thank God that I have it everyday. At first I was angry that I didnt get hired by all the big banks and consulting firms with the big checks and big bonuses. (I had secound round interviews with 3 firms, and I made final rounds with another 2 companies) I have to thank God that I now work for a City agency that is federally funded and primarily works in economic development and getting folk jobs (meaning we get extra funding in economic downfalls). I have relatively good job security (cross my fingers, pray to God). If anyone is in NY and looking for a decent paying job NYC agencies may be the place for you.
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Very good post Seattle. I am a legal assistant and my attorney handles a lot of bank loans…. we’ve seen the decline beginning late last year. We went from closing a bank loan dayum near every week to about three since October.
Thankfully, we do have business elsewhere. It’s not my dream job but right now, I’m blessed. (Plus my boss is a lot nicer now that he’s not so stressed out!)
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Unfortunately no one is immune to the bad economy…layoffs are a way of life now. If you want to keep your job, you have no choice but to accept the employers terms (longer hours/less pay)…the people left behind’s workload doubles because someone still has to do the work—but who is going to complain…no one, out of fear of being let go in the next round of layoffs.
There is no such thing as job security and staying on a job long enough to retire anymore.
I recall when this type of thing hit the telecommunications industry back in 2002/2003…it wasn’t as widespread across all markets though so it probably went unnoticed…but not for me and my colleagues.
I feel for the people who are going through it now—been there—done that.
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i def feel u, Seattle. I work at a consulting firm, and we just finished a 2nd round of lay-offs. it’s esp sad to see people i’ve worked with over the years peace out. fortunately, i applied and got into law school this year, so i’m a little less stressed about my job situation. however, i’m still buggin about whether or not i’ll get enough financial aid to go…. i guess you win some and you lose some too =/
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Seattle Washington Reply:
February 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am
It’s definitely a good time to go back to school. Especially if the government or your gig is going to pay for it.
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Your post is unfortunately all too true, Seattle.
I remember when the law firm did this firmwide layoff and they did it by department. Like every department had to cut back at least one (what they deemed unecessary) person. When it got to my department it was so sad. I watched some of the nicest people packing up their things in boxes and being awkwardly escorted out in the first hour of the day. My stomach dropped for the man who just had a baby and already had a wife and another kid.
As for the gratitude, please believe I felt it. I don’t think it was as acute as the department meeting we had. I’ll never forget this, but the Director of our department said, “We’re holding this meeting because of course you are aware of the layoffs we’ve had to implement in each department and if you are at this meeting, then you are safe as we’ve made our respective department cuts”. If you could’ve heard the massive sigh of relief among the employees. Wow. It practically chilled me to the bone. Especially since I had closed on a condo not too long before.
I’m so thankful and blessed that I’m in a much-needed position in my firm (I work in conflicts, so we’re pretty much the gateway into how the firm makes money period).
I think the overall attitude we must have in these times is positivity and hope. Hell, it’s beneficial to have this attitude everyday, no matter the circumstance.
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It’s rough out there…
I’m blessed to work in an industry that is for the most part, still growing and hiring (higher ed.) but the market is getting more competitive. Some schools, esp. those with large endowments *pause* are on hiring freezes but there are a lot of places with openings. I’ve been looking for new job for over a year now. I’ve come close but so far no cigar. I dunno if it’s just the places I’ve been dealing with but decisions are coming very slowly and it’s super frustrating. Last spring I applied for a job the end of March, interviewed in late April, interviewed in person in May, interviewed AGAIN by phone in late May. They checked all my references, and then kept giving me the run around for weeks to then decide in late June to go w/ someone else.
Oddly enough the person they hired quit after just 3 or 4 months, so I interviewed YET AGAIN for the same job 2 weeks ago and so now I’m sitting here driving myself crazy waiting for an answer.
I had a good interview with another school that was supposed to get back to me with their decision almost 3 weeks ago and I haven’t heard a peep from them. In my office we usually make a hiring decision the day after interviews are done… but a lot of places are really taking their sweet ‘ol time.
I feel truly blessed to still have a job and have any new job prospects but I’ve outgrown my current position and there’s nowhere for me to go in my dept., so I’m trying to be out asap before the well dries up.
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::Doing the cabbage patch cuz I am still in school and by the time I am looking for a full time job, the economy will be back on the upswing…I hope:::
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I have a girl who constantly forwards me copies of her company’s layoff notices. It’s annoying as hell!
I work for a small company…who has always been thrifty cheap when it comes to expenses, wages etc. People used to ask me why I stay with them (going on 6 yrs this June), but I mean, it’s not always about the $$$, I know my experience with a smaller firm will pay off in the long run.
We had a restructuring speech from the head of our dept b4 x-mas that set off a switch in my head, but I mean I take it one day at a time. It’s important that everyone starts to come up with a plan B…whether that is starting to save double of what you were putting into your savings account last year, making more industry contacts or even coming up with your own inovative cost-cutting ideas within the dept/company….don’t hide in your office waiting for the talk!!!
An older co-worker once said this to me “you can always be replaced”. I mean despite her getting on my nerves at the time- that old heffer was absolutely right!
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this is so rough. my job hired me in november, after my boss worked like crazy to find money in the budget to hire me (i had been interning for free for awhile). then, in January, he had to let his secretary go. she had been w/my organization for 21 years…i felt so bad, but then again, i had to be grateful that i was even hired, and that i got to keep my job
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Seattle Washington Reply:
February 6th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
See, that’s why I have to have my own business. I’m not trying to work for some company for decades of my life and then suddenly get fired.
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Brooklyn's Own Reply:
February 6th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Real talk. Bossing UP is the way to go. If you have any ideas and friends or business associates you feel have similar ideas to yourself, ya’ll can start working on future plans and make shit happen. The key is networking and building the proper brain trust…
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