Layoffs: Is anyone facing one?

[tekobari]

We've been notified at work that there will be quite a few layoffs at contract time (April-May), which doesn't give anyone much time to find a new job. What's worse for me is that my husband works at the same place, so it could be the both of us. They're offering buy-outs for the oldest workers.

I know I shouldn't be worrying so far in advance of my head's being on the chopping block, but I like this job, it's perfect for me in hours and vacation, given my health issues. That's why I don't want to start looking right now. I'd like to survive the thinning of the ranks.

We do have some money to tide us over for a while, but a good bit of that would go toward COBRA health insurance. My husband can find a job easily, but not one with health insurance. I guess I could work as a temp through Kelly "Girls" again and make $8/hr., hardly enough to pay the rent. We're lucky that both of us can work right now.

I'm not crying the blues here. We have it a lot better, both working, than a lot of people. It's just the fear that we'll both get booted from decent jobs.

Anyone else in jeopardy of losing their jobs?

[krisinluck]

My ex is struggling with that. They've had short layoffs twice since July - 10 days one time, two days the other. Then they started doing it in shifts - a quarter of the employees in his section are laid off for a week, then guaranteed 40 hour weeks the next three weeks.

[Doofy]

I'm in sort of the same place.

I really like the job I'm in, and come June it comes up for retendering.

The company I work for has won the contract the last two times, but theres no guarantees.

Its one of those things you have no control over.

This time the contract is for four years, which would be incredible.

If somebody else wins the contract I have to decide if I'll jump ship and apply there, or stay where I'm at and hope I don't hate whatever position they offer me.

Finding labour here is a problem, so I know I'll have work, I just don't know what. I've done jobs I hated before, it sure makes the days long.

When DW and I were first married, she was on contract to. She would fill in for people on maturnity. The money was good, but your whole life is on hold. How can you get a loan when in 6 months you might be on unemployment. How can you think of a family when you don't know if you can feed yourself.

I wish you and your husband the best Tek.

I would say don't worry, but I know from experience its impossible.

[bluekazoo]

Damn, that sucks.

DH and I are okay for now; I'm in health insurance and he's in consumer fraud, and there aren't any letups on workload for either of us ... fraud is rampant and so is healthcare with the aging boomers, etc ...

I'm still working all the OT I can handle; he doesn't get OT, but he works long hours, as needed.

I know a lot of folks around here are waiting to hear, though, after the holidays ... the suspense would drive a person to distraction ... my daughter's husband had a couple of months without work (he's a private contractor, his crew does telecom installation, stuff like that) ... there was just zero work for a few months but now it's picking up for him again; fortunately she has a good job and they were able to keep afloat, but it was tense there for awhile ...

I worry, too, about all the folks who work retail ... they don't make a lot of money to begin with and with all the store closures, there are going to be a lot of people out of work ...

Things are really going to hell in a handbasket ...

[VocalVixen]

DH is working a ton of overtime right now. Because of Gustav and Ike, they are behind schedule on some overseas projects. After they catch up, though, who's to say.

My job sucks but it will still be there. It's a grind going to work at a job you hate every day with NO benefits.

We are trying to sock away what we can, but every time we get ahead, something comes up - like one of the kids needs surgery or the dentist or something. We stay behind and our credit is in the crapper. Life is pretty scary right now.

[krisinluck]

It's a grind going to work at a job you hate every day with NO benefits.Preach it, sister.

I can take a lot of shit if I'm getting taken care of. Restaurant work traditionally has no benefits (unless you work for Darden or one of the other corporate giants, then you pay a fortune for it), so it's not so much the no insurance for me. It's the shitty pay, no paid vacation time, and having to pick up the slack for old timers who've been there so long they simply don't give a rat's ass anymore.

I'm holding out for my Christmas card. They do give a decent bonus in that.

[tekobari]

Thanks, Doofy. I appreciate that.

Kris, we were also told there's not gonna be a Christmas card bonus. It was only $50, but hell. Every bit comes in handy, you know?

[tekobari]

Damn! I hit the button before finishing.

I'm sorry to hear from various places on the board how tight people are having it, and how shaky things are for others. What Doofy said, like your life's on hold, is really true. How can you make any decisions with that hanging over your head?

[lakelady]

Kris, I know what you are saying, and I would imagine that tips are down too.
BTDT.

That said, I would probably try to go back to serving or tending bar if I thought that the 3 surgery foot would hold out. Around here there are usually banquet seasonal positions, but nothing now. There is nothing else here and what there is requires travel that isn't worth the pay.

DH has been laid off and we are surviving on my retirement and his cashed out retirement fund. It won't last much longer and he has been less than successful finding work. Our goal is to move closer to my family in the Carolinas, but its very difficult to find work there when we are here. We have enough money to move, but not enough to move and live without work. Rock. Hard place.

I hope that you all who are fearing lay-offs are able to slide in under the wire and keep your jobs. It is so stressful worrying about what if, and even more stressful waking up to another day closer to disaster.

[Hepburn]

bump since its commercial time