Company Layoffs

[WJenness]

My company is laying people off as I type this.

I've gotta admit, I'm kinda nervous. I don't think I'd be on the first list of cuts, but it doesn't bode well for the longer term.

Hopefully I'll still have a job at the end of the day.

Just had to vent.

Hope everyone else is having a better day than I am.

-w

 

[Geoff]

I got caught up in it in June when my startup company went on the rocks. This isn't a particularly good time to be unemployed. I'm fortunate that I was renting in the flatlands. I was uneasy about the housing bubble and decided to sit it out. I've now collapsed my life to my Killington place. It's paid for so my only housing costs are property tax and condo fees.

 

[WJenness]

5 people on the list today, and it doesn't include me my boss says... so safe for now.

I too was uneasy about the housing bubble and have been renting for that reason. Hopefully I can come out the other side of this crazyness intact and can start looking at buying something.

-w

 

[andyzee]

Times are bad, wish you the best of luck.

 

[bvibert]

I know the feeling they laid a few people off here a couple of weeks ago...

 

[andyzee]

Rumors are that my company will be announcing lay offs next week. :???:

 

[roark]

Also in state of job insecurity. Wait and see.

 

[ctenidae]

Not excited about becoming the newest employee soon...

 

[RootDKJ]

I'm hearing the same thing at my company. Yesterday the company announced a major restructuring in my division. My very first boss was let go. Sad to see someone I admired for 10 years to go that way. He's been in the game for 30 years, so I have no doubts that he'll land ok, My team is very worried. I'm trying to impress on them the importance of still hitting their project deadlines and goals is even more important now so when questions get asked where's the dead weight, no one is looking at my department. I don't really think I'm on the chopping block, I kinda have a nice niche with the company right now and I make them lots of $$$

 

[andyzee]

Hear layoffs to start next week, bad. On the flip side, in an effort to save money, the company is looking at have people work from home more, good! Just gotta make it past layoffs.

 

[Glenn]

We're doing well for now. Not to say it would "never" happen, but things are pretty solid here. I'm very thankful for that.

 

[WJenness]

Just found out, one of the guys they laid off just had radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

That's pretty harsh.

I'm sure that guy could use health insurance right about now.

-w

 

[Glenn]

Just found out, one of the guys they laid off just had radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

That's pretty harsh.

I'm sure that guy could use health insurance right about now.

-w

That's really rough. With a layoff, they'll probably offer him some type of package. They my continue his benefits for x number of months.

 

[roark]

We're doing well for now. Not to say it would "never" happen, but things are pretty solid here. I'm very thankful for that.

Actually, the insecurity is b/c my co is doing so well we acquired another. But most of the resulting management seems to be coming from that side...

 

[WJenness]

We just had a company meeting.

The general report from senior management was "company is fine, we've got very little debt, lots of cash in the bank, we just decided to put some longer term projects on hold and see what happens with the credit markets, unfortunately we had to cut some people from those long term projects, but we're still sound and making money."

I'd like to believe them.

We'll see what time brings.

-w

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

My company is laying people off as I type this.

I've gotta admit, I'm kinda nervous. I don't think I'd be on the first list of cuts, but it doesn't bode well for the longer term.

Hopefully I'll still have a job at the end of the day.

Just had to vent.

Hope everyone else is having a better day than I am.

-w

Wow..good luck..what industry are you in???

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Just found out, one of the guys they laid off just had radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

That's pretty harsh.

I'm sure that guy could use health insurance right about now.

-w

Yikes but corporate America doesn't know what empathy is...

 

[Warp Daddy]

We just had a company meeting.

The general report from senior management was "company is fine, we've got very little debt, lots of cash in the bank, we just decided to put some longer term projects on hold and see what happens with the credit markets, unfortunately we had to cut some people from those long term projects, but we're still sound and making money."

I'd like to believe them.

We'll see what time brings.

-w

Hope it works out for you !!

 

[playoutside]

These are tough times indeed and anything can happen. I have been through the layoff cycle too many times when I was a director and had to let people go during tough economic phases. It's a lousy experience all around. When a layoff was done, those left behind who still have jobs would typically have a rough time. Some things to keep in mind while you still have a job:

• deal with the things you can control (guessing who and when the next layoff happens will not help you and is not in your control)
• stay away from the rumor mill, it'll make you nuts
• keep your house in order (update your resume, keep your network alive, don't live beyond your means)
• put your head down and do your best work
• support your peers, but recognize if you work with someone toxic. if you do, minimize the time with them or you'll drown in their swill
• try not to believe you are next in line for a layoff or indispensible -- neither are likely true

Sorry if any of these sound insensitive. They are not meant that way. It's just the kind of things I would tell my teams to help them stay focused and ride out the storm.

For anyone who gets caught in a layoff, you will survive, you may have a bumpy ride while you seek a new position, and in the end the change will likely do you good. I've taken this route myself. I skied last winter on the company and now work for myself again which is a great thing for me.

 

[RootDKJ]

These are tough times indeed and anything can happen. I have been through the layoff cycle too many times when I was a director and had to let people go during tough economic phases. It's a lousy experience all around. When a layoff was done, those left behind who still have jobs would typically have a rough time. Some things to keep in mind while you still have a job:

• deal with the things you can control (guessing who and when the next layoff happens will not help you and is not in your control)
• stay away from the rumor mill, it'll make you nuts
• keep your house in order (update your resume, keep your network alive, don't live beyond your means)
• put your head down and do your best work
• support your peers, but recognize if you work with someone toxic. if you do, minimize the time with them or you'll drown in their swill
• try not to believe you are next in line for a layoff or indispensible -- neither are likely true

Sorry if any of these sound insensitive. They are not meant that way. It's just the kind of things I would tell my teams to help them stay focused and ride out the storm.

For anyone who gets caught in a layoff, you will survive, you may have a bumpy ride while you seek a new position, and in the end the change will likely do you good. I've taken this route myself. I skied last winter on the company and now work for myself again which is a great thing for me.

Nicely spoken!