[biotechee]

My company has finally been "hit" by the poor US economy. As such, we have all been asked to cut costs and do what we can to help. It's a little more "graphic" than this, but I'll not share details beyond that.... Suffice it to say that it is hard to cut back when there are only 9 people in the office and 4 field sales people to cover North America (Canada and the US).

Back at the beginning of the year, I had renegotiated my role within the company and part of that negotiation was to go part time starting in the Fall. The goal was to be able to keep a job (bring money into the household) but be home in the morning to take my daughter to the bus stop and then be home in time to get her off the bus. Also, since she has 2-3 activities after school, I could make sure I was available to cart her around as required. Right now, we pay our neighbor to watch her in the morning, pick her from the bus and then take her to certain activities. And in about 2 years, my second daughter will be in school so I can do the same for her.

About 3 weeks ago, my boss approached me and asked if we could accelerate the time line to go part time beginning in June. This will really help the company's bottom line and I agreed to do it. It sort of puts me in a bad spot as I (the Mrs and I actually) was not ready yet, but in the end, it is a good thing for my family. And that's all that matters at this point. Plus, for the time being, I still have a job for the foreseeable future.

I consider myself very lucky that I'm able to do this especially with the current economy. Not sure what 2010 holds for my company so we will wait and see.

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[Anchorman]

I can surely empathize. My arrangement with my company runs out in mid-August, I'm not in the position I want to be in (make that "need to be in") to retire, and opportunities are challenging. We should get together and have a beer over "old times".

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[flash]

many are going through this right now - don't feel alone - it is affecting all areas - the good news is that things are beginning to shows signs of upswing - it will take some time, but it will get better

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[Fox944]

I'm essentially what i consider a floater for the organization. I've held various management positions in the sales departments. Any department that needs an upstart, i'm placed there untill the problems are repaired and the department is back on its feet. The good news is, i did my job with the internet & retention departments at Acura and was just recently transferred to the companys Infiniti store to give some life to the retention department & used car departments here (a good thing, as Infiniti is paying me more then Acura was). Tons of work, as it is a mess here. The bad news is; even though my salary just went up a tad, it was cut 3 times since last October. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif[/img]

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[ds968]

My company is dealing with its own market and economic challenges ; "work force management" measures continue.. when I joined them three years ago we had 6,500 employees, now we're just below 3,000..and still dropping. the only good news is that we're doing far, far better than our competitors in the same market space,
but nontheless it's a very uneasy feeling, as none of us can predict with any degree of confidence what may happen

I've had my salary frozen for more than six consecutive years, and on top of that a nearly 40% reduction from my previous compensation when I joined this company ( was unemployed for a year , so had to eventually make some sacrifices ) but very content to be employed for as long as it lasts, and recognizing there are people in much worse situations than I am, I have absolutely no complaints and remain appreciative. I take nothing for granted

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[Renalicious]

For what it's worth, I lost my high income job back in December and still haven't gotten back into my industry. Right now I work as a supervisor at a concession stand at just over minimum wage. Government unemployment cheques help, but soon those will run out too. I've been hammering away at my portfolio for months now hoping to get someone to notice, but the video game market here in Vancouver is pretty bleak right now, and with so many people being laid off in the past 8 months its pretty cut throat too it seems. Over the past year things have gone from pretty good, to, "OMG... how am I gonna put food on the table" bad. Bad decisions didn't help anything, but that's the way things go; It's been a very in-your-face "Live and learn" for my fiance and me [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]

Still, as bad as things are, it has helped me gain a bit of that entrepreneurial spirit, and have a few extra things happening on the side lines [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] It's a new opportunity to work smart, and get a lot more money for doing something I like, while working a lot less. Hehe, stress is running high, but looking back I can't help but laugh at it all sometimes. Losing so much is very scary, but gives you a new outlook on things. And sure as hell makes you appreciate what you have, and what you work for, a LOT more [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

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[benspeeder]

Our firm lost $200MM last year - yes that's two hundred million dollars. I have now had to lay off staff at the director and VP levels. We are the largest player in the US housing industry and sell 1 out of every 4 homes - it's been brutal and I am very glad to still have a job.

But we are seeing signs of recovery. Housing typically leads the US into recession and out of recession. I work with some pretty impressive economists - business folk - not government - they say mid-year 2010 will be around the time we see positive growth barring any major issues with banking cropping up further. Or war.

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[Georges]

My last day at work was Feb 6, 2009 when I was laid off. Having worked at the company 15 years, I'm in decent shape for 2009. I see this as an opportunity to figure out what to do next and make major changes. Working 12-16 hours days some times 7 days a week was an abuse. So now I'm looking into doing something I'll enjoy more. I've already decided that the celebration for my first consulting assigment will be a new set of sway bars from RS Barn. Best of luck.

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[p65356sc]

I want thank you for being so candid on this matter. I formed a small company after my corporate job went to China after 35 years of service. Five years ago after running the design and drafting dept. for HID a swipe reader company I started selling plotter and large format copier supplies to Architects and Engineers. In this economy after some fairly good years need I say more about where my business has gone? It seems I'm fighting off the wolves every day but all we can do is hang in there. I agree things are going to get better.

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[Cloud9...68]

In the scheme of things, I consider myself pretty fortunate. I still have my job, and am in a key role in a critical project, so things seem fairly secure. We all are taking a week off without pay in each of the four quarters of 2009, and I have a suspicion that one way or another, our salaries are never going to return to their pre-2009 levels. We're in a new era, and while I do agree that things are going to get better, I'm concerned that since so much of the "prosperity" of the last 25 years was fueled by unsustainable debt, things may never get back to the way things were in the 80s and 90s. Yes, Anchorman, we do all need to get together for a beer to reminisce about the old times...

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[caffine]

Our commercial side of the business where Boeing & Airbus are our largest customers were hit hard late last year at the start of the Boeing strike. The company has already laid off a thousand. We've heard from upper management more are still to come. The company canceled raises last year and this year. Next year is undecided at this point. Working in the defense side of the house is steadier for the time being but with a new Dem administration is uncertain. I'm counting my blessings this year as I still have my job, my most recent research project opened new doors for our company but that's all that's occurred at this point in time and we are working our butts off now to take advantage of it while the irons hot so to speak. Opportunities exist but there are no guarantees.... I've been laid off myself in past years but that has always led me to make changes in my life that in hindsight led me & the family to new adventures that we've would have never undertaken had change not been forced upon us. And those adventures lead us overseas for years, children on multiple continents, and lifelong friends abroad. If life gives you lemons, make lemonade - as the saying goes. Good luck to all in this difficult time.

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[biotechee]

Thanks to everyone for sharing their situations. I do hope things turn around as soon as possible, but there's obviously irreversible damage. How much? Dunno... As others have said, good luck to everyone. Especially to those who have been hit the hardest.

I am very happy and lucky to still have a job, and, our boss here in the states and the owner in Germany are not big fans of layoffs to cut costs. They do whatever they can to keep people employed for as long as possible. It's a decent company for sure.

Jim- absolutely! A beer and some catch-up conversation is in order! May is not good at all for me- lotsa goings on with my daughter's communion and all that jazz. Perhaps something in June? At the very least, shoot me a PM or email and let me know when you'll be at Pete's. Pizza is on me this time.

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