Survey: LoT Unemployment Rate [Archive]

Andrew

03-03-2009, 04:02 PM

We are both employed. Jennifer's AAA office had several layoffs last week but she was not affected except that now she has a three person department doing the work of five. Nokia announced a voluntary separation program, where employees could take a payout in return for resigning. I looked at it but the payout is so low as to make me think the program exists more so the company can claim they made the offer. However, I'm in a very high profile group and don't expect that any layoffs (if they come) will affect me.

Morrigoon

03-03-2009, 04:04 PM

In the current economy, I wouldn't recommend taking the payout anyway. Too hard to find a replacement job. And I wonder how that affects your eligibility for unemployment?

JWBear

03-03-2009, 04:08 PM

I'm employed, but my hours were cut.

Deebs

03-03-2009, 04:10 PM

I was a stay at home parent for several years. Then had a change of marital status. Obvs, it is not a good time to be looking. It has been difficult.

Ghoulish Delight

03-03-2009, 04:12 PM

Employed, with general indications that my job is secure for a while, but no guarantee of that.

scaeagles

03-03-2009, 04:28 PM

katiesue

03-03-2009, 04:36 PM

I survived a cut in December. Who knows how long I'll last. No upcoming stuff that I know of but you never know.

Snowflake

03-03-2009, 04:38 PM

I'm fully employed right now. The scuttlebutt here is there will be some layoffs.

Ghoulish Delight

03-03-2009, 04:39 PM

Survived a lay off today. Even though my company was profitable last year they had a round. This was presented to us as being prudent, and while I suppose I can appreciate that, the 10 people or so in my local office and satillite offices that were let go must not be feeling too good right now (4 in my department).
Our company made profits of over $90 million in every quarter for the past 5 years or so, over $100 million in several. We have millions of dollars of cash in reserve. But because we're making slightly LESS than that in recent quarters, we've had a round of layoffs and have implemented some semi-drastic cost cutting measures to prevent more.

Betty

03-03-2009, 04:50 PM

I'm afraid if I vote I'm employed that that will change so I'm going to abstain.

I've survived, so far, numerous rounds of layoffs. I'm told by coworkers that there's no way they would lay me off because of all the things I do, yet I can see ways to work around that. Not that I'm telling anyone. So sssshhhh!

wolfy999

03-03-2009, 05:15 PM

Employed part time at two jobs and getting increased hours at both. But who knows for how long.

Cadaverous Pallor

03-03-2009, 05:17 PM

My union just cut a deal with the city that we'll have our cost of living increase deferred for a year, with the guarantee that we'll have no layoffs or even furloughs until July 2010. Phew.

JWBear

03-03-2009, 05:41 PM

My union just cut a deal with the city that we'll have our cost of living increase deferred for a year, with the guarantee that we'll have no layoffs or even furloughs until July 2010. Phew.

You don't know what you're missing. Furloughs are fun! :rolleyes:

Stan4dSteph

03-03-2009, 05:52 PM

Employed, with general indications that my job is secure for a while, but no guarantee of that.Ditto.

scaeagles

03-03-2009, 06:49 PM

Our company made profits of over $90 million in every quarter for the past 5 years or so, over $100 million in several. We have millions of dollars of cash in reserve. But because we're making slightly LESS than that in recent quarters, we've had a round of layoffs and have implemented some semi-drastic cost cutting measures to prevent more.

I can appreciate and understand where the company you work for is coming from as well as where I work. I work for a pretty big corporation (when I left self employment I started working for a 90 person company which was acquired and the a mega merger took place) with 10 figures in cash reserves.

I suppose this should make me feel good that I still have a job and the company is being cautious....I just feel like crap right now. Survivor syndrome or somethng.

CoasterMatt

03-03-2009, 08:01 PM

Employed, and currently working on the contract negotiation team to stay that way.

lashbear

03-03-2009, 08:06 PM

Gentleman of leisure. :rolleyes:

Tref

03-03-2009, 09:13 PM

I was working three jobs. My night job cut my hours to zero, my weekend job is shaky and my day job ends in June.

Promo-Man

03-03-2009, 09:14 PM

I am self-employed there are times that I would like to firer myself as I tend to lose focus and then there is the thing about never letting the job go.

I would like to work 8 to 5 and leave the job at the job

Not Afraid

03-03-2009, 09:15 PM

Employed by me, and still busy - just not quite as busy as I used to be. The clients in the area I work in (Northern Long Beach) tend to be old-school wealth and there hasn't been much economic effect ...yet. I DO think people are being a lot more cautious about spending their money.

Prudence

03-03-2009, 09:26 PM

I work for the feds, so I suspect I'm fairly secure. As much as I complain about my job, it's nice to not be worried about that particular issue at the moment. (That way I can focus on the lousy housing market. :rolleyes: )

€uroMeinke

03-03-2009, 09:37 PM

Still employed though with cut in pay

lindyhop

03-03-2009, 09:50 PM

Employed and no one's talking about layoffs...yet. Management claims we're in good shape.

cirquelover

03-03-2009, 10:09 PM

I am a stay at home Mom but since my husband was laid off it looks like it's time to look for a job too.

That is kind of difficult though considering I help the boy with school, he does public school online, so he kind of needs me here. Hopefully I can find a evening or night job. My choices are the Super Wallyworld or a Lowes distribution center. I'd rather have Lowes.

NirvanaMan

03-03-2009, 10:44 PM

At are company, we are still employed with pay increases and bonuses. The one time where our companies ridiculous penny pinching and uber-conservative nature actually works to our benefit. That said my developers are working on 9 year old computers that can't actually run the software they need so they are bringing in their personal computers to work to get the job done.

However much like GD stated, we are making slightly less in terms of the billions in revenue so red flags going up. No cuts are likely but I am worried that my open positions might get frozen.

I have several open jobs I need to fill ASAP if anyone knows people who are out of work and have the right experience. I am looking for an analyst with several years of Website and interactive marketing reporting, dashboard and metrics experience who can handle a very high stress environment with constant (hourly) reprioritization. I am also looking for some QA testers with .NET, Java, .asp and mainframe expertise (though we do have a lot of resumes for these positions).

Morrigoon

03-03-2009, 10:51 PM

I know someone who's not out of work, but might be qualified and definitely hates their current position. Would you take a QA tester if they're still finishing their degree in computers? Or do you need more experienced people than that?

Kevy Baby

03-03-2009, 11:04 PM

I know how to use Microsoft Word. Can I get a job?

NirvanaMan

03-03-2009, 11:22 PM

I know how to use Microsoft Word. Can I get a job?

Unfortunately no, we are still using typewriters. (we do actually still have them)

tracilicious

03-04-2009, 12:23 AM

I make my money from student loans. Haven't been laid off from that yet. Running the non-profit continues to be tons of work for zero money...but I'm still co-CEO! If I were trying to publish a collection right now I'd be SOL as no one's buyin, but I'm not! Phew, market hasn't got me down.

Indi's school has lost forty percent of their funding. Ouch!

Scrooge McSam

03-04-2009, 04:06 AM

I'm currently employed but the contract I work under expires March 31.

DreadPirateRoberts

03-04-2009, 08:03 AM

Still working.

bewitched

03-04-2009, 09:20 AM

Unfortunately no, we are still using typewriters. (we do actually still have them)

Off topic...

Cool avatar picture.

innerSpaceman

03-04-2009, 09:26 AM

My company's not doing as well as last year, and is - like me - a few bad months away from financial disaster.

I'm not worried about being laid off unless the company goes under -- since I'm the ONLY EMPLOYEE LEFT ... but I don't know if we'll survive the year or not.

Despite being 3 or 4 paychecks away from disaster at any time, I feel comfortable in my financial condition and situation ... but alarmed at the situation of friends and others.

This is not a joke: If things continue to slide, we SHOULD work seriously toward the LoT Commune. It's the way of the less bleak future.

Kevy Baby

03-04-2009, 02:07 PM

This is not a joke: If things continue to slide, we SHOULD work seriously toward the LoT Commune. It's the way of the less bleak future.But the idea of living with Moonliner would indeed be a very bleak future.

scaeagles

03-04-2009, 02:32 PM

C'mon ISM....you KNOW you don't want to live in a commune with ME. Admit it.

Cadaverous Pallor

03-04-2009, 05:16 PM

Psh, and let you lazy bastards live off my income? Right. :p

Strangler Lewis

03-04-2009, 05:30 PM

Self-employed.

The fun part is that the State of California considers me a vendor, and the claims processors for the federal government sometimes get pulled into other tasks.

Maye mark me self-implode

SacTown Chronic

03-04-2009, 07:24 PM

Self-employed on two fronts and thriving.

Oh crap, I just jinxed things, didn't I?

Betty

03-05-2009, 08:40 AM

Self-employed on two fronts and thriving.

Oh crap, I just jinxed things, didn't I?

Probably. I nearly jinxed us yesterday by posting we were both employed. Little scare for the husband when the new big boss showed up unnannounced. They were all sure he was there to close the office. Instead they ordered lunch from Togo's and all set down to meet and greet. No big announcement or anything. But for a few hours yesterday I was SO in almost-panic-mode.

Cadaverous Pallor

03-05-2009, 09:12 AM

In case anyone might be interested, the City of Orange is hiring (http://agency.governmentjobs.com/orange/default.cfm), though they are seasonal jobs.

cirquelover

03-05-2009, 12:34 PM

Betty, you guys have Togos too?! I remember having to bring them on the plane with me any time I flew to LA, or else my exBIL wouldn't pick me up if I didn't have a sandwich!

Betty

03-05-2009, 01:42 PM

We do have Togo's. I haven't eaten there in about 15 years though. I used to work in the same shopping center as one... and didn't have time to drive anywhere for lunch so it was one of my 3 choices for lunch including the grocery store. Needless to say, I was pretty burnt out on Togos.

blueerica

03-05-2009, 03:14 PM

Employed, thankfully.

NirvanaMan

03-05-2009, 08:42 PM

Despite being 3 or 4 paychecks away from disaster at any time

Why do you chose to do that?

JWBear

03-05-2009, 10:22 PM

Sorry, but for most people, it's not a matter of choice.

scaeagles

03-06-2009, 04:51 AM

I used to have about 8 months worth of current slaary in the market. That would be about 3.5 months now. I don't think it's a choice for all, though it is true that many people live beyond their means. I also had (have) a home equity line of credit, which provided a huge cushion, but no more....I am not permitted to draw on it (it was a sort of emergency fund for me) anymore.

wolfy999

03-12-2009, 05:19 AM

Hubby has the Agency, of course. He also took a contracted salaried position with an upscale Villa distributor in mid February, and last night he got hired for a temporary (4-6 weeks) with the Census Bureau....geez when it rains it really does pour! But at least now we can catch up.

That makes 5 different jobs between the two of us.

alphabassettgrrl

03-12-2009, 10:36 AM

But that's the way to make it these days, it seems.

blueerica

03-12-2009, 08:41 PM

What frightens me is that when people ask me if I miss California, I'm more scared to move back than anything else.

Cadaverous Pallor

03-13-2009, 08:18 AM

What frightens me is that when people ask me if I miss California, I'm more scared to move back than anything else.It's a good point - staying put in current jobs and current homes is the best for most everyone.

cirquelover

03-13-2009, 10:45 AM

It looks like Gary has an interview in So Cal in a week and a half, no were not moving, but the boy is trying to convince him that we need to go with him!! I'm not sure if Gary's buying it yet but we'll keep working on him. After all we can use points for our flights and probably even the hotel and DL tickets are pretty cheap right now!

BarTopDancer

03-13-2009, 11:00 AM

You totally should!!!!!

Kevy Baby

03-13-2009, 12:51 PM

It's a good point - staying put in current jobs and current homes is the best for most everyone.We are currently looking into a home purchase (first home, so nothing to sell).

Maylar

03-13-2009, 01:19 PM

Totally employed. Oh, first post, hello!

Kevy Baby

03-13-2009, 01:27 PM

Welcome. Tell us a little about yourself (in a separate thread of course)

Betty

03-13-2009, 02:07 PM

Maylar

03-13-2009, 04:31 PM

They layed off a key employee today. It was somewhat unexpected and brought many of us to tears. Young single mom. Frankly - I'm worried about her. It sucks to have this happen. She had a hard life growing up. Has never held another job since she came here straight from high school and went from answering phones to handling everything and then some in her own department. I'm so sad to see her go.

And yet at the same time - I'm so thankful to still be employed.

But for how long?

Come on economy! WTF!

You know, while the layoff itself is obviously a bad thing, I think it's important to always look at the bright side of things.

The silver lining here is that she worked hard at what she did, and was loyal to her company. In that, future potential employers find invaluable and if she plays her cards right, shouldn't have "to" much difficulty in finding a new job.

Kevy Baby

03-14-2009, 11:42 AM

... I think it's important to always look at the bright side of things.And NA is now singing, "Always look on the bright side of life."

Moonliner

03-14-2009, 11:51 AM

And NA is now singing, "Always look on the bright side of life."

Funny you should mention Python. I was just thinking about that very subject.....

JWBear

03-14-2009, 02:16 PM

And NA is now singing, "Always look on the bright side of life."

Does she even know that song?

cirquelover

03-14-2009, 03:03 PM

She'd never admit it even if she did ;)

Alex

03-14-2009, 07:22 PM

I know the song (I even know what movie it is from). Still doesn't make Monty Python particularly funny.

3894

03-15-2009, 05:31 PM

Just go buy some books, 'k. Someone has to pay their college tuition. It might as well be you.

Kevy Baby

03-15-2009, 05:37 PM

I know the song (I even know what movie it is from). Still doesn't make Monty Python particularly funny.Its okay. We all have our weaknesses in life.

Alex

03-15-2009, 05:58 PM

I know, and I've accepted that for many people it is an unjustified fondness for Monty Python.

DisneyDaniel

04-23-2009, 10:59 AM

Are you employed or unemployed?

Fully employed ... but doing the job of three-to-four people for no extra pay and no compensation for overtime, which sometimes involves six-or-seven day work weeks.

At my place of employment (a magazine/newspaper/Website publishing company), it has laid off about 60 percent of the staff since last year. It's not the best time to be a journalist, whether one works in print, broadcast or online.

For a journalist to survive in the changing job market and adapt to the ways people get their news, many journalists need to increase their skills to become what has been called "super journalists," "backpack journalists," or a "one-man band." In other words, many journalists need to possess writing, photography, video capturing and editing abilities, print design and Web design skills in order to get hired -- or stay employed -- but still only get paid for one job.
:( :mad:

Betty

06-10-2009, 06:28 PM

Husband got a pay cut today AND a reduction in hours. sux.

scaeagles

06-10-2009, 06:39 PM

Bummer. That really sucks and I'm sorry to hear that.

Ghoulish Delight

06-10-2009, 06:47 PM

Oy, I'm sorry to hear that Betty.

katiesue

06-10-2009, 07:33 PM

oh Betty - that sucks eggs.

innerSpaceman

06-10-2009, 07:50 PM

and a fukity fuc fuc from me as well. grrrrr.

BarTopDancer

06-10-2009, 07:52 PM

Oh Betty that sucks.

Does he qualify for partial unemployment?

Cadaverous Pallor

06-10-2009, 08:27 PM

mousepod

06-10-2009, 10:17 PM

Sorry to hear that, Betty.

Morrigoon

06-11-2009, 12:09 AM

Eeesh, I'm sorry, Betty

bewitched

06-11-2009, 12:34 AM

Suckage. :(

Betty

06-11-2009, 06:10 AM

Yeah - it does suck. Just one more reason why he needs to find a new job.

The only thing is - we were just going to try to get an FHA loan for a house near to my job, then he would look for a new job and finally quit that one. I have no idea if we can qualify now. I was unsure before - having never bought a house before - but now I'm feeling very discouraged about it.

It wasn't personal though - his entire office will be 4 days a week. It's just that anyone on salary was put to hourly and they used some wacky method to calculate how much that meant he made per hour.

I just don't get that though... he wasn't working 10 hour days for the fun of it. There was work to be done. So, what will happen now? They won't pay him overtime. It's just more stress - and with his recent anxiety it's just a grand effing day!

So, he wore shorts and flip flops to work today. Yesterday we discussed if his work was trying to make people quit. I asked him if he was trying to make them fire him. No, he says. Just his form of protest for the day I guess. Whatever.

It's going to be a GREAT DAY! I've got to go with that before I start worrying too much. Everything is going to be fine. (saying it enough makes it true - and I won't listen if you tell me otherwise!)