How's your company doing?

[BitsyNaceyDog]

My husband works for a small web development firm. A year ago they had about 10 employees and were doing really well, now they've laid off all but three. Luckily my husband is one of the remaining three. He's already been told that the other two will be laid off before he does, if it comes to that. Right now he's working on a major project for a BIG company and they have already signed on for another year. The client has made it clear that Justin is the only one they want on the project and they want him 40 hours a week. So right now he has pretty decent job security. His pay was cut back a few months ago though.

[mruffruff]

I work for a company that distributes neon sign supplies to the people who sell parts to sign installers. There are only a few companies in the U.S. to compete with.

Unfortunately, neon is being replaced by LED lights in a lot of situations, so we are being hit with a double whammy. (The bosses didn't move into the LED sales until recently).

We have had no lay-offs, but some have had their hours cut, some have had their pay rate cut. Purchases are strictly monitored. Cash receipts are down. The bosses have made personal loans of over a quarter of a million dollars to pay invoices and keep us afloat. In the 20 years I've been here, it's never been this bad.

Personally, I'm OK. I work 3 days a week and could live on my Social Security if I had to. But I feel for those who have families to support in these lousy economic times.

[smokey the elder]

*crosses fingers* So far, so good. I work for a private pharma company who is always pretty tight with cash, so they have a sizeable "war chest". A lot of groups are getting outsourced, but not Analytical (my group) so far. I don't know about raises or bonuses; they give those out in March.

[Nomilynn]

I was laid off on October 3rd from a direct mail marketing company. It had slowed down drastically and from what I hear from friends that still work there, they have now laid off so many people they are shorthanded to finish the business they are getting.

I have had I think a total of 4 interviews, including one that I have later today, since being laid off. I have applied for countless jobs.. I can't even remember any more how many I've put my name in for. I'm just keeping a job log as I apply and when I get a phone call at least I can reference the application. The interview I have today is with a medical clinic so I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that I can get it, because it sounds like it would be a pretty stable job.

[Gracefulsarah]

Both my husband and I are still employed, thank God. I work for a school district in California (not as a teacher), and thankfully, our district prioritizes jobs. They only lay off after cutting supplies budgets, and anything else they can. Last year, we laid off lots of computer techs, librarians, and kidergarten teachers. Most have been brought back (not sure why), but I have a feeling they will have to be let go again before next year begins (July 1st). As for my department, there is 1 person who was hired after me, so I believe she would be cut before I would. (There are 5 people in my dept including the director, and I've been here over 5years.)

As for my husband, I would really be surprised if his company survived the next few years. They had a staff of about 40, and laid off 25% right before Christmas. They also made almost everyone cut down on their hours, from 8 to 7 a day. He does software tech support, and the stress levels were already too high. Add to that 1 person from his department being let go and shorter hours in which to do the same amount of work, and the stress skyrockets. Their customers have actuallly been complaining because the tech guys don't get back to them within a "reasonable amount of time" anymore. So, they're going to hire one guy for the tech support department, and they gave my husband back the hour a day.

I'm very thankful that we seem to be secure for the moment. We both are willing to deal wtih the commuting to keep our jobs in this tough economy.

[K9karen]

I was a corporate travel agent for 30+ years, and got laid off (highest paid) in 2003, due to 9/11.

A few of my friends still have their travel jobs, but with company layoffs and budget crunches, probably won't for long. I guess I'm lucky to be on disability, so I have something.

This is a scary, sad, time for everybody. I'm so thankful I have a place to live and food to eat. I've totally changed my buying habits. If it ain't on sale, it don't get bought! And if it's not a necessity, furgetaboutit!

I hope all you PTers are OK.

[Sirrahsim]

My husband is active duty in the US Air Force so we are safe at the moment. His field has one of the lowest retention rates in the military because there is SO much money to be made on the outside. They can replace some jobs in the militray with civilians (non military folk) but even taking our benefits into account, they would have to more than triple his salary to ellicit any kind of interest from the outside workforce. It's just more cost effective to keep him.

[wolf_Q]

I work at a grooming salon. Last Christmas was by far the slowest Christmas we've ever had, and I've worked there for over 6 years. After Christmas we barely had any business at all. We work on commission so I pretty much working for nothing. Actually since around last September I've been averaging a couple hundred less per paycheck. It's understandable though, when times are tough getting your pet groomed isn't exactly high in the priority list. Things are starting to pick up a bit now though, we've actually had some business. Luckily I haven't been faced with the prospect of losing my job, I know many people have.

[DJFyrewolf36]

I work for a security company that is worldwide so we always have clients. My area has laid off some people though as some of the clients have gone out of business .

There will always bee a need for security, sadly so I know I'm in a steady line of work. I just don't know if I want to do it forever but right now its what I got and I am darn glad!

[binka_nugget]

I work for a very small data management company. It's just me and another girl here. Fortunately our clients save money when they have their documents scanned and electronically stored, rather than physically stored in a warehouse.. so we're doing well.

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

I work at a grooming salon. Last Christmas was by far the slowest Christmas we've ever had, and I've worked there for over 6 years. After Christmas we barely had any business at all. We work on commission so I pretty much working for nothing. Actually since around last September I've been averaging a couple hundred less per paycheck. It's understandable though, when times are tough getting your pet groomed isn't exactly high in the priority list. Things are starting to pick up a bit now though, we've actually had some business. Luckily I haven't been faced with the prospect of losing my job, I know many people have.

I'm also a groomer. After Christmas is usually slow, but this year was bad, and it's still pretty slow. But one groomer lost her husband, so both her and her mom are gone for a while, so we're down two groomers.

[CountryWolf07]

So far, Mike still has his job... and it's almost the end of February. I am still praying he doesn't lose it - I still haven't found a job either and I am graduating in March.

[Cincy'sMom]

My company is sending mixed messages. We are down ~20% from last year. That is misleading becuase 2008 was our best year ever. We are still above 2007 profit.

Unfortunately, we have more employees then in 2007, and higher overhead. As a result, we have all been asked to use up vacation time, cut hours down to 32 per week if you are hourly, or take a pay cut is you are salaried and out of vacation time. There are 2 departments in the company that have been exempted from these cuts. I do not work for either of them, but with my background, I have been given permission to charge 32 hours/month of my time to one of those departments, allowing me to save vacation time and keep full pay. We do show signs of picking up and I am hoping my mid-summer, we will be back at full hours. But I think everyone is in agreement we would rather all give a little then see any of our co-workers loose their jobs completely.

Ralph works in automotive, and realistically, should have been laid off in the last round of cuts. But his boss feels that he is essential to the company's operation and fought to keep him on.

We are definately some of the lucky ones at this point.

[Uabassoon]

I was laid off from Starbucks last week. It's been all over the news lately that the company is not doing well. Before I left all of our baristas and supervisors hours had been cut, they even had us running our store on negative labor. Many of us who were salaried, such as myself, lost their jobs. Hopefully I can find something soon, I'm not picky so even if I have to work for min. wage a job is a job. Thankfully I'll be done with school soon and I'll just keep my fingers crossed that more doors will open for me.

[CountryWolf07]

Mike's company, Lincoln Electric isn't doing so hot either, but THIS week is the LAST week of firing/letting go employees/workers - and Mike still has his job.. we both are hoping he stays on board - We'll find out the next couple days... It's all a waiting game. I hate it. I told him that whatever happens, we'll be there for each other and he is just looking forward to me coming back home from graduating in a few weeks..