Have any Rats had to deal with downsizing or layoffs yet?

[GrnBay007]

With constantly reading about layoffs, wonder how we are all doing.

[Little Whiskey]

My company deals with the auto industry and their suppliers. We have felt a bit of a pinch. As i am in sales we are the last to be "let go". but there has been some downsizing on the inside and support positions.

[Bretsky]

No, I have not; my job may be more secure then it has been in a long time

Unfortunately it seems like I am speaking with people who are laid off on a weekly basis though.

Just a slight tip for all; if you think you are in danger of being laid off........and you want to refinance to lower your montly payment......don't wait til you have no job to call your banker.


Cheers,
B

[digitaldean]

I work in the electronic prepress industry. (take designs for packaging from either our designers or ad agencies and modify/manipulate them to print correctly on polybags, corrugated boxes or other paperboard products).

There has been a ton of shutdowns and layoffs in the print industry. My company had 2 divisions in the same city once we were bought out, so eventually we had cutbacks or consolidations. (or people who left before the corp. ax fell)

As of right now, we're OK. I can't focus on the negative or I'll go batty. I am thankful that I have my freelance gig. It helps cover our family budget. As a company, we haven't had pay raises in several years. Not thrilled with it, but thankful I've got a job nonetheless.

[Kiwon]

Well, I hope the best for any PRer dealing with a job loss or threatened job loss.

I'm afraid we are going to be in this cycle for the next couple of years.

Hang in there and save as much money as you can right now.

[Zool]

Found out today that I dont lose my job like a lot of other people at my company, but everyone who's left standing gets no raise and loses their health/life/dental subsidies from the company. My costs on those are going to more than double paying for them myself.

[oregonpackfan]

I am meeting more and more people out here who had lost jobs. Oregon's largest two corporations, Intel and Nike, have both downsized. Nike just announced they are laying off 4% of their staff.

[HarveyWallbangers]

The company I work for made its largest profit ever last year, and it's been in busy for about 40 years. We're pretty dependent on gas prices though. If gas prices are consistently over $2.70/gallon this year, we'll lose money. Anything under that and we are in pretty good shape.

[Fosco33]

My firm is expecting 20% growth this year in revenue and probably 15% in headcount... I'm also recommending increases in my client's org structure (very rare in LA).

Lots of friends working in film/TV -- probably half the people I know in that industry are laid off. My wife's still on maternity leave - otherwise would've been axed (which is funny, because she probably won't go back either way - but if she can get unemployment then why not).

[mraynrand]

I'm a mag-lev train operator. I expect to have a new job any day now.

[Gunakor]

As an alternative to layoffs, the hotel I work at has cut hours for hourly workers instead. Those who are not salaried and were accustomed to working 5 day, 40 hour weeks are now working 4 day, 32 hour weeks. But nobody has lost their job due to the economy, which is remarkable considering the travel and lodging industry is typically one of the hardest hit by a troubled economy.

[retailguy]

I haven't been affected and don't anticipate that I will. However, that being said, like Zool, there are no raises and an increase in health benefit costs.

No current layoffs, but we reduced 5k last year, so maybe we were preemptive or perhaps there are more coming that are not yet announced.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'd appreciate it if some of the people in the "very confident" category would identify themselves. I need to borrow a little money this spring, I have references, will certainly have it back with interest by July. (Excuse the personal note. TIA.)

[hurleyfan]

I work for a Blue Computer company, and we just went through the latest rounds of cuts here in NY.. Still have my job, but we're clearly on "notice".

It sucks.....

[mraynrand]

I anticipated the economic downturn ten years ago and started working 20 hours a week.