The Monster Blog

Nearly 6 Million Jobs Have Been Lost in the Last 17 Months -- How and Why I Do Not Feel Like Such a Statistic

Recently, I was informed that my position was eliminated due to tough economic times. Despite being mentally prepared given the rolling downsizing events in my firm, I still was hoping against hope that my job was safe. The call came so late in the day that I had a sudden tightness in my chest when I saw the paperwork pile sitting in front of the HR director. My young sons’ college nest eggs evaporated in my mind and I was dazed. Immediately, the bad news hit the grapevine or “ether”-net as we call it in my industry. Suddenly droves of folks were stopping me in the hallway, asking questions in disbelief and shock. My gut reaction was to instantly reassure them this was a good chance at new possibilities. The questions were the same over and over again.

So wearing my business hat, how could I communicate the same information to keep everyone on the same page without talking myself hoarse and losing my focus? Use a tool from my marketing arsenal and post up a Frequently Asked Questions sheet (FAQs) outside my office. This really empowered me and made me feel that I had control over the floods of questions/concerns on people’s minds. Taking control of my situation was instrumental in NOT feeling like a statistic. PLUS, it created a uniformity of understanding about my unique situation.

So here are the FAQs that I posted physically outside my office wall. These FAQs seemed to satisfy the question seekers and yielded me some peace to focus on my next steps in becoming an EMPLOYMENT statistic. I owned my situation, rather than it owning me. Feeling empowered this early in the job loss situation was instrumental in my well-being and positive outlook to move forward!

Jane Allerton’s FAQs

Q: Is it true that you are part of this downsizing?

A. Yes, you heard correctly, but it is a good chance for new things.

Q: When is your last day?

A: As with everyone else in this wave of downsizing, it will be next Friday.

Q: What’s your plan of action and next steps?

A: I am seeking a variety of possibilities including contract work both internally and externally in NY or by virtual commuting. I have a schedule mapped out for every day for employment seeking. Also, I am considering retraining and certifications in other skill set areas.

Q: Why don’t you spend more time with your young sons now?

A: Evan and Owen count on me to support their livelihoods 100%. Thus, work is a must for me.

Q: Aren’t you angry, after 10 years of 60-hour workweeks, at being let go?

A: No, rather I am saddened leaving my beloved colleagues and customers; however, for me, this is now an OPPORTUNITY!

What would your FAQs look like?

Have you recently faced a layoff, too? Get advice for moving forward from our special report, “Laid Off -- Now What?” 

Introducing Our New Guest Blogger

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our new guest Monster Blogger, Jane Allerton, who will start writing here later this week. Jane is an innovative marketing professional who has worked in the pharmaceutical, engineered materials and IT industries and is currently looking for a new position after being part of a layoff at her previous firm. She’ll be sharing her stories and insights as she embarks on her job search and decides what to do next in this tough economy. Come back often to check on her progress, and feel free to leave a comment about her journey.

Things to Know If You’re Graduating into This Job Market

Around this time every year, I get nostalgic for my college days. It was late spring, after all, when I was thrust into the real world with my graduation. I remember that long, hot postgraduation summer as one of both hope and fear. I wanted to start my career, but I was so afraid I would never find a job. This was in the go-go ’90s, and even then, it took me all summer to get my first job.

So I feel for the college grads of 2009. They are entering a world of work that’s been battered by recession and job cuts, which must make them feel even more unsure and panic-stricken than most new grads naturally do.

I’m not saying a little bit of worry isn’t warranted, but there are things you can do. We recently took a look at Monster’s 2009 survey of students, recent grads and employers, and here are some takeaways for new grads:

·         Be Ready: Companies want workers who have experience -- even if they’re entry-level. So work those internships and part-time jobs into the conversation with potential employers.

·         Stay in Contact: Let everyone know you’re looking. That includes your social networking friends. You never know who will have or know about the next opportunity.

·         Be Adaptable: You may have to look beyond your major or chosen field. Keep your enthusiasm for the company and position apparent to potential employers to land the job.

What other advice would you give new grads? Leave a comment below. And if you’ve just graduated, check out these resources:

·         "Eight Tips for Job Hunting During the Recession"

·         "Warm Up Your Job Search This Summer"

·         "I'm Graduating with the Wrong Degree -- Now What?"

·         "Entry-Level Salary (Probably) Isn’t as Negotiable as You Think"

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted -- and Needed

I haven’t taken a full week off in almost two years. I know, I know; I’m the first person to talk about the importance of vacation. But life has gotten in the way of taking time off. We had a baby last January (no, maternity leave is not vacation), and then my husband started his own business, which means no more paid time off for him.

But that’s all about to change. We are going on a weeklong cruise to Bermuda. I cannot wait, not only for the time off, but also for the time with my husband. We both need some downtime.

We’re not the only ones who have found it difficult to take a vacation. According to a recent poll, only 42 percent of Americans are planning a leisure trip this summer, down from 49 percent in 2005. What’s more, one-third of those surveyed have already canceled a trip.

Yes, the economy is rough. And employed people are afraid for their jobs. But I would argue that a vacation is more important than ever in these stressful times. If money and time are objections, consider a local vacation or a long weekend. And there are ways to cut costs: The article says 20 percent of summer vacationers plan to stay closer to home this year due to economic worries, and 23 percent will save money by staying with friends or family. 

Need more convincing? Check out these resources. And if you’ve got ideas for fun, low-cost vacations, leave them in the comments below:

·         “Make the Most of Your Time Off”

·         “Be Smart About Vacation Time”

·         From the Monster Blog: “The Vacation Not Taken”

Stay Home with Swine Flu? Fine, If You Have Sick Time

I had a bad cold recently, and although I have sick time, I foolishly dragged myself into the office anyway. I spent the day hacking and coughing and getting the subsequent hairy eyeball from my coworkers. I can’t say I blame them; after all, we’re in the middle of a possible pandemic with swine flu, also known as H1N1. I smartened up and called out the next day, and in a related story, I got some rest and quickly got better.

But then again, I’m lucky enough to have paid time off when I’m not feeling well. Not everyone does. According to this article, it’s estimated that 57 million working Americans have no paid sick days. And a study mentioned in the article says 68 percent of those without paid sick days went to work with a contagious illness. Here’s more:

"The problem has really come into sharp relief the past few days," said Debra Ness, president of the National Partnership for Women and Families, which has long pushed for paid sick leave. "Many people don't even realize that almost half the private sector -- 48 percent -- has no sick days, not even a single one."

"We have officials telling people to stay home when they're sick," she added. "Well, guess what? That can be the beginning of economic disaster for many, especially in this economy."

Making matters even worse: Those least likely to have sick leave are low-income workers, particularly in fields like food services, child care and the hotel industry -- in other words, the people you most want to be staying home if they're sick. "The public health implications of this are huge," Ness said.

So what are you supposed to do with no sick time when you (or a family member) gets sick? The swine flu has brought attention to this issue, and there’s hope on the horizon. The article says:

President Barack Obama mentioned the problem, saying the administration is working with the US Chamber of Commerce "to ensure that businesses are supportive of their hourly workers who need to stay home but may be worried about losing their jobs because they don't have sick leave."

And Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., wrote colleagues seeking sponsors to reintroduce the Healthy Families Act, which would let workers earn up to seven paid sick days a year -- days that could also be used to care for a family member. They didn't specify a date, but a Kennedy aide said they hope to make the move by the end of May.

I say these are moves in the right direction toward a healthier workplace. In the meantime, check out these resources on the best ways to manage your sick time, one way or the other:

 

·         “Don't Work Yourself Sick”

 

·         “Pleasures and Perils of Paid Time-Off Plans”

 

·         From the Monster Blog: “Working Sick: Come to the Office or Stay Home?”

·         From the Monster Blog: “Working When You're Sick Is Bad News for Everyone”