Wednesday 14 January 2009

Work is....

Relentless!!

We lost somewhere in the region of 150 people last week. I suppose I should be thankful I have a job despite the 12+hour days and the permanent feeling of exhaustion. We lost some fantastically talented people who weren't exactly sat twiddling their thumbs prior to the cuts. If any of our clients cut their budgets it will probably mean more layoffs coming. It doesn't matter how busy you are or how well protected you feel because you're busy and seemingly valued, absolutely no-one is immune!!

Sigh!!

I hate the recession!!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I bet it all takes its toll emotionally as well. I mean, you must burn a lot of emotional energy worrying about what might happen. I have my fingers crossed for you, Fish. Chin up.
Tom

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Thanks Tom :-)

Blur Ting said...

I hate the recession too. Business is so quiet here, I sometimes wonder why I'm in the office. Thank goodness I don't have many employees because having to retrench staff is heart wrenching. I wish you all the best and let's hope this crisis blows over quickly.

Blur Ting said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kitty said...

holy crap.
I'm shocked. That's a lot of people.

I agree w/ Burnt...that must be so stressful and I'm sure morale is not the best over there.

Take care of yourself. Self-medicate if you need it!

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Hi Blur Ting, hopefully business will pick up for you soon. It's tough out there at the moment!! All the best to you too. Fingers crossed the economy recovers quickly.

Thanks Kitty, I'm just working through it and being prepared. I've updated my resume just in case. Fingers crossed!!

Amel said...

Oh dear...it is really bad everywhere. Tough situation. :-(((( I'm crossing my fingers for you!!!

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Thanks Amel :-)

Anonymous said...

Oh, Fish, I'm sorry to hear about that... If you can, try to wrangle projects that will help you make your next step, whatever it may be. And consider networking outside of your usual circle, too -- that's where I've received some of the best career advice, ever. Who knows? You just may meet your next boss. In the meantime, hang in there! We're all pulling for you!

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Thanks Spandrel, in some ways I am quite fortunate as the woman who was supposed to be moving over to the US to be my boss has decided to leave her position after finding out she is having a baby. This means that I've taken on extra responsibilities that should help take me to the next level, so in a bizarre way things are sort of positive for me personally, but I never like to count my chickens.

Sid said...

sorry to hear that. i think about how difficult it must be if you're the bread winner and have just been laid off.

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Hi Sid, I hear you. One of the guys I worked with was the primary income earner with 3 children under 13!! I am sure here are many others out there. Not fun times at all!!

Mike S said...

Up here in Maine where people AND jobs are scarce it really hurts. There's 2 paper mills in the central part of our town (pop approx 6500 in huge area) and one just let 112 go permanently out of 255.

Being retired, I became a (not so) silent partner/owner of a few businesses here including a small specialty wood products operation. We make anything custom ordered from furniture to cabinets, designer mosiac wood floors, fancy doors/windows, etc. Anything someone wants that's not available in open market stores.

Last week we employed my partner/owner who acts as Company Prez and 36 craftsmen. This week we employ my partner and 9 craftsmen. As the housing construction market goes, so goes our demand.

What's so sad is that there are so few good paying jobs here to start with, and every person laid off creates a snowball effect causing other businesses to lose trade.

We'll likely recover, as will my other interests, but times are hard in the interim for these poor folks and their families. We had a meeting and decided who would stay as a group. It was unanimously agreed that those 9 stayed as 8 were husband & wife (both employees + big families) and the 9th has 9 kids. Everybody else either has a wife working or can work in the woods temporarily or seasonal work on farms.

Sadly, the only thing I can afford to do is continue their health coverage by paying 100% of the premiums. We live very frugally, so when $$$ are this tight it's a REAL recession!yadayada(sorry)

We do plan to rehire all as soon as we get orders in. I'm so happy to see the ass end of Dumbya heading for the cowless 'ranch'. Good riddance!

Anonymous said...

Hope you're still hanging in there. It's been awfully quiet recently.
Tom

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your comments. I am so sorry to hear of the situation you and your employees face. It's tough out there. Some have it easier than others, but everyone seems to be feeling the effects of the downturn in some shape or other. Fingers crossed for a quick turnaround. I am with you on feeling glad that Dubya is no longer ruling the roost. The man was a total idiot. If Obama can move small steps in a positive direction it will be a good thing.

Hi Tom, ahh I am touched you checked in. I am fine thank you, but struggling with the work life balance thing. I am working too much to be honest - it's Sunday and I am at the office now - and it means a social life and blogging is sacrificed. Hopefully I will squeeze in some short posts soon :-)