March 24, 2011
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Tough times
Things at work are getting very difficult. There’s a fair bit of turnover in the business unit I work in. Unfortunately these folks aren’t being replaced so the workload is being redistributed to the remaining employees. But after awhile, there’s only so many people that are available to do the job. We’ve got some really talented folks who are leaving because they are completely burnt out. As an example, one guy is in his late 50′s. He’s taking a stand to reclaim his life. He told my manager that he doesn’t want to work 12+ hour days and several hours on the weekends. He can probably get more money working as a consultant out there. These folks are client facing so there’s even more stress. Last year, our company had a pretty good year. I thought my bonus would be decent. But it was smaller than last year. Now we’re being asked to continue to demonstrate our added value to the business. So far I’ve been able to duck the axe. But sometimes I wonder if it’s worth ducking.
I’m not alone either. My brother’s company is going through another round of downsizing. I see him flying off to meetings in the US to plead his case. He takes the first flight out and the last flight back. It’s just brutal. One time they told him he had to go to a meeting in Montreal. A senior exec then told him he had to drive (it’s a 5 hour drive) instead of flying (1 hour flight). He then handed the keys of one of the company’s car to my brother. The person who used to drive that car was let go by the senior exec just hours ago. My brother told me some of the guy’s personal stuff was still in the car. It’s not a pleasant drive to Montreal either. He drives into the sun going there and into the sun coming back. He pretty well works 6 days a week just to stay on top of things. He told me today he is close to his limit.
My sis is about to lose her job as well. She found out the company she is working for didn’t have the balls to go through the tough changes that are required. The owners (privately held company) are balking at the amount of change required and they want to keep doing the same ol’ things. But they had hired my sister and her manager to push for these changes. The biggest problem is that the owners have hired so many friends and relatives into that company. A lot of them are in cushy jobs with very little accountability. So they don’t want to change. They win and my sister and her manager lose.
That bottle of scotch sitting in the cabinet is looking very tempting right now.
So is everything at work going ok for you folks?
Comments (21)
Sorry to hear that dude. Not much more I can say than that other than all of a sudden my profile picture seems horribly inappropriate.
That’s really sucky news to hear =( . I’m doing okay right now, but I’m always cautious because I understand the current work climate.
I’m sorry to hear all of this — I’m doing fine, but I wouldn’t be considering retirement now if I hadn’t retired 6-1/2 years ago!
@supanamja - thanks, I’ll cope. Your profile picture always makes me smile. I keep imagining a cigar and a scotch just within arms reach of you.
@Roadlesstaken - I sometimes think job descriptions in my company should have a disclaimer “Our company is ideal for workaholics.”
@slmret - I saw your photos of the desert flowers last night and my mind started to day dream about going on day trips like that. It would be wonderful.
@ElusiveWords - Well provided I’m home, it’s not quite an arm’s reach but not more than a few steps.
Most companies nowadays are very aware of staff overlapping their duties. So far, I’m keeping busy just getting by, but there’s no telling how long that will last! *fingers crossed*
Nope, they’re grinding axes and searching for any hapless ducks which pass by. Don’t focus on that bottle, it’ll only lead to a worse situation.
Now we’re being asked to continue to demonstrate our added value to the business.
I hhhhhhate it when that happens. You know it’s really bad when they bring in redundancy consultants for that kind of cutting. i’m sorry work has been tough for you. i’ll cross my fingers that things work out…
I was lucky that my friend refer me to my new job. If not, I don’t know when I am going to land a Job.
About “But sometimes I wonder if it’s worth ducking” that is what I mean on my previous entree :
<table class=”blogbody” width=”100%” border=”0″ cellpadding=”4″ cellspacing=”0″><tbody><tr><td width=”5%”>
<td valign=”top”>What is the different between don’t give up easily and leting go ?
http://vsan79.xanga.com/738821667/what-is-the-different-between-dont-give-up-easily-and-leting-go-/
‘coz sometimes I am so in my comfort zone that i will rather duck and not moving on.
I put in my resignation a week ago, but my situation isn’t like what you’ve described here – where to now for all of them? And what about you, Matt?
while I’m sorry to hear all this, the answer to your question: I wonder if it’s worth ducking … is a resounding no. You’d be amazed what can happen when you let go of the security/comfort you’re used too Matt.
go on and take the risk
remember that work is nothing but the silly inconsequential thing we do between enjoying life
I work two part time jobs and am looking for jobs daily. One of the jobs is not too secure to say the least. It is the signs of the times. We will survive!
yikes, bad work situations all around! i think the western world’s work philosophy is too harsh; nobody can expect to work such long hours all the time, be really productive, and not burn out. but it seems like the bosses don’t care as long as they see profits. i’d like to think that i’m sheltered from that in academia, but grants are hard to come by these days as well. i hate how everything boils down to money.
I think it’s time for you to look for another opportunity. It never hurts to look. If something comes up, you’ll be much better off leaving for another position than getting cut no?
with the new boss yes…thank GOD…I am sorry you are dealing with this now though…
When the announcement was made to us about the job cuts in our US office I felt really bad cos I know our gains here in the Manila operations center will be the lost of a lot employees in the US. It also makes me wonder what if the tides turn on us. At the end of the day, I’m just thankful I have this job and just be prepared for what may come cos really, we’ll never know. Good luck with you and your siblings careers!
Work? what work? I need a job! One that will just fall from the sky in front of me… *sigh*
wow..seems like this kind of situation is all over the world no matter the business is large or not, the Boss/Management just want to have the Huge profit and keep the cost at extremely low……some better ones which is the very minority may give u an one off bouns…….Sad to be a worker…?
this was very much the situation happening at my office before i left…i’m really wondering what my chances are when i get back to job hunting next year…
@CurryPuffy - I’ll keep my fingers cross for you too and hope for the best.
@The_Dream_Or_The_Nightmare - yeah, don’t worry – I won’t be using the bottle as a crutch. Thanks for the comment.
@ThePrince - a lot of our jobs are being transferred to other countries (we’re a multi-national company). I’ve got to stand out even more.
@vsan79 - I know some folks who weren’t able to duck and managed to land quite safely.
@stepaside_loser - hey… long time no see / blog. I hope things are going ok with you.
@AppsScraps - you raise several good points and it’s something that’s on my mind. I also have to balance the relative flexibility in work location and time off that they at least give me to look after my dad.
@Fatcat723 - I hope you’re gonna be ok Rob. It’s just not fair you gotta be working several jobs.
@kunhuo42 - one of my cousin is a professor and she’s complaining about all the cutbacks in her budget.
@yang1815 - yeah, that’s a good idea.
@portiajules - thanks, I’m glad there’s good news out there!
@oxyGENE_08 - thanks Gene. You’re right, you’ll have to find ways to stay prepared and stay several steps ahead of the “axe”. Learn as much as you can.
@tomatoboi - I thought you had something in real estate? I know you were looking for careers in airline industry which can be very difficult and it may not pay as well as you hope.
@agmhkg - I am glad I got a bonus even if it is small. There are many others who didn’t get one at all. The focus on quarterly results and meeting shareholder expectations is brutal.
@jace1982 - well, let’s hope things will be better when you start looking again. In the meantime, you should keep up with your network of friends in the industry.
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