Thread: God help us all

Today I went to a meeting at work.Everyone was called in.Turns out we probably will have to let half of our employes go.Luckely I'm not among those.I can not imagine the horror of a man loosing his job in these times, left without any means to support his family.This was my first real meeting with the financial crisis.And this is in safe, rich and comfortable Norway...I know the situation is much worse in the US.My true and deepest symphaty to all of you who has lost your jobs.I hope and pray that the economy will improve, but I fear that this is just the beginning.




Kristoffer

Bummer. The thing with plans for the economy is that they are measured in years. So even if if works out as planned, there will be a lot of misery before then.

All my best to you and your co-workers. It's a horrible time, and even the best prepared and hardest working of us might feel it pretty hard before things turn around.

It's rough here in Canada too. A friend of the family just got laid off after 24 years of working with the same company. My fiance lost her job, my best friend is temporally laid off and myself... Well, I'm now working in a grocery store making less than half of what I used to make...

In different times I'd be really embarrassed to have a high school/college kid job, but right now, I'm thankful to have a job.

Originally Posted by Cobo

In different times I'd be really embarrassed to have a high school/college kid job, but right now, I'm thankful to have a job.

What did you do before your current job?

I went straight to my boss after the meeting and told him that I would fight for my job, and if he had anything negative to say about my effort, I would like to hear it.He told me that he was very pleased with my work, and that he had only had positive feedback from customers and others.So I was told to relaxe.What really bugs me, is that some of the younger guys in our company show NO work ethics what so ever.I just can't believe their level of lazines and lack of skill.Even in these times they are not able to act as adults.Heads will roll, but not mine, for now....


Kristoffer

I did carpentry work for the last seven years. I never bothered to go to school for it though, which I regret a little now, though I doubt having my license would really help due to the lack of building going on. It just didn't seem to make sense at the time. I worked for the same company for like 5 of those years and as I got better and learned more I just kept getting raises, so it didn't seem to make sense to take time off to go to school when I could work and make money instead. :P

Been there... done that...

I've been laid of a couple of years ago when I was working with an American Semiconductor company that closed the european operation down and moved our R&D jobs to India (not sure if that was a smart thing to do)

Financialy it wasnt all that of a problem but applying for jobs was a job on its own.... our social security system is pretty good but it was no picknick.. I dont think I'll lose my job anywere soon but I'll be glad to pay my taxes and pay for the people that lose theirs...

When I lost my job I know my collegues, that got fired in the US weren't that lucky the good guys jumped ship.. but I'm pretty sure some of them will lose their jobs in this crisis.. The semiconductor business is one of the first that feels the blow when the S$%t hits the fan..

The good thing is that we start appreciating what we've got...

Maarten