How concerned are you about your job? (1 Viewer)

[DallasDMac]

Just put in my second straight 14 hour day. I could use a one week furlough. Seriously. I'd take it even unpaid.  Has me rethinking retirement even with the economy.

 

[the moops]

Welp.

Just got an email from the president of our museum. They are playing around with three scenarios.

1) Opening to the public in July (most assuredly not happening, IMO).

2) Opening to the public in September (I can see this if schools are back in session and kids are physically at school full-time)

3) Opening to the public in March of 2021. I actually see this as the most likely. Fall is our slowest time of year. Makes no sense IMO to open in September to not see much revenue. 

 

[Peak]

Finally got a hold of someone by phone on Monday.  Took 10 mins, but managed to get my application fixed.  She even took a look at my brother's and told me what to have him tell the next operator.  I gave him the phone and he managed to get his fixed the same day.  Took many, many calls every day over the last 2 weeks, but we got it done.  

Still waiting to hear from my last employer about the next project.  Sounds like it is in the approval process, so best case scenario is it will start early May.  I've talked to a couple of recruiters, but no openings near me in Cincy.  The closest one was Joliet, IL - which apparently the recruiter cannot fill.

Received some good news this morning.  My previous employer just texted and I've been picked up for a 6 week assignment starting on Monday!  Best Bday news ever!  Hoping that by the end things are moving again and a longer term extension is picked up.

HBD to me!  

 

[bcat01]

Wife received her partial unemployment payment and the extra $600 today for last week.  Got lucky everything went smoothly. 

 

[nirad3]

Awesome, just got a 20% pay cut.... but no reduced hours.  WTH is up with that?

My division had avoided the reduced hours/pay thing for a few weeks, now they cut our pay but since we're so busy, no reduction in hours.  Bunch of BS.

I dunno if California unemployment has a provision for reduced pay benefits or not.  Damn well know I'm gonna spend plenty of time on the clock finding out.

 

[Judge Smails]

Awesome, just got a 20% pay cut.... but no reduced hours.  WTH is up with that?

My division had avoided the reduced hours/pay thing for a few weeks, now they cut our pay but since we're so busy, no reduction in hours.  Bunch of BS.

I dunno if California unemployment has a provision for reduced pay benefits or not.  Damn well know I'm gonna spend plenty of time on the clock finding out.

Yeah you’re entitled to unemployment with the reduction 

 

[DallasDMac]

Awesome, just got a 20% pay cut.... but no reduced hours.  WTH is up with that?

My division had avoided the reduced hours/pay thing for a few weeks, now they cut our pay but since we're so busy, no reduction in hours.  Bunch of BS.

I dunno if California unemployment has a provision for reduced pay benefits or not.  Damn well know I'm gonna spend plenty of time on the clock finding out.

Wow, that seems like a richard move for your company to pull. Sorry to hear that. For a 20% cut in pay, you should at least be able to expect/enjoy a cut in hours and workload to go along with it.

 

[NutterButter]

Wow, that seems like a richard move for your company to pull. Sorry to hear that. For a 20% cut in pay, you should at least be able to expect/enjoy a cut in hours and workload to go along with it.

That sounds like one of those promotion where you get a fancier title with more responsibility and the same pay.

 

[TripItUp]

Awesome, just got a 20% pay cut.... but no reduced hours.  WTH is up with that?

My division had avoided the reduced hours/pay thing for a few weeks, now they cut our pay but since we're so busy, no reduction in hours.  Bunch of BS.

I dunno if California unemployment has a provision for reduced pay benefits or not.  Damn well know I'm gonna spend plenty of time on the clock finding out.

Companies are trying to stay alive.

Nothing wrong with that.

 

[jobarules]

That sounds like one of those promotion where you get a fancier title with more responsibility and the same pay.

Haha happened to me

 

[Ilov80s]

Awesome, just got a 20% pay cut.... but no reduced hours.  WTH is up with that?

My division had avoided the reduced hours/pay thing for a few weeks, now they cut our pay but since we're so busy, no reduction in hours.  Bunch of BS.

I dunno if California unemployment has a provision for reduced pay benefits or not.  Damn well know I'm gonna spend plenty of time on the clock finding out.

What industry do you work in that is so busy but not making typical profits?

 

[GroveDiesel]

What industry do you work in that is so busy but not making typical profits?

May not be the industry but the job as well. 

For example, I do work that is engineering/construction related and our work is drying up right now. A lot of our other divisions have already gone to 32 hours and we may be soon as well. For our field guys that will likely mean 32 hours of pay while actually working less than 32 hours.

For me as a project manager, that likely means 32 hours of pay and an INCREASE in hours worked because I’ll be expected to be doing everything I can to generate billable work for our field guys. That means extra time reaching out to any and all clients, trying to find prospective clients, writing proposals for work we typically wouldn’t go after, etc.

I know other people in similar positions. If you’re a large company that is shut down, you’re not bringing in any money but you still need security and facilities upkeep and compliance. And you’re probably doing it with less people. So if you’re a salaried employee in charge of security or facilities, you end up with a pay cut while still doing as much or more work than normal.

 

[nirad3]

What industry do you work in that is so busy but not making typical profits?

I work for a huge engineering / environmental / construction management company.  Our division (construction management) is absolutely killin' it.  Hardly any change from the virus, and we're actually adding business.  The rest of the company is struggling right now I'd imagine.  

The CEO announced some furloughs, reduced hours/pay and some people got canned a few weeks ago.  Our division was spared from the reduction in hours/pay until now.  We are essentially keeping the ship going.

 

[NutterButter]

I work for a huge engineering / environmental / construction management company.  Our division (construction management) is absolutely killin' it.  Hardly any change from the virus, and we're actually adding business.  The rest of the company is struggling right now I'd imagine.  

The CEO announced some furloughs, reduced hours/pay and some people got canned a few weeks ago.  Our division was spared from the reduction in hours/pay until now.  We are essentially keeping the ship going.

the next thing you're gonna tell us, the people in the struggling divisions got the same reduction in pay but actually got a commensurate reduction in hours. 

 

[nirad3]

the next thing you're gonna tell us, the people in the struggling divisions got the same reduction in pay but actually got a commensurate reduction in hours. 

That is correct.  :(  

 

[Zigg]

Companies are trying to stay alive.

Nothing wrong with that.

Hopefully these companies generously shared the wealth during the good times.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Hopefully these companies generously shared the wealth during the good times.

 

[East Coast Bias]

Getting more concerned by the day. I work for a public company that was splitting in two via an IPO of the second. Accepted a position with the split and moved cross country. IPO was supposed to happen in April/May and for obvious reasons it hasn’t. My job depends on us being a public company. Earliest we’ll split is Q1 2021 now. Not sure they’ll want to pay my salary for that long. I’ll be updating my resume and seeing what’s out there.

 

[The Z Machine]

Getting more concerned by the day. I work for a public company that was splitting in two via an IPO of the second. Accepted a position with the split and moved cross country. IPO was supposed to happen in April/May and for obvious reasons it hasn’t. My job depends on us being a public company. Earliest we’ll split is Q1 2021 now. Not sure they’ll want to pay my salary for that long. I’ll be updating my resume and seeing what’s out there.

Glllll bro

 

[Judge Smails]

Companies are trying to stay alive.

Nothing wrong with that.

Exactly. It’s either this or a bunch of RIFs. I’m on the other side of this. In leadership/board meetings non stop running models and coming up with ways to keep the team together and save jobs. 

 

[The Z Machine]

Exactly. It’s either this or a bunch of RIFs. I’m on the other side of this. In leadership/board meetings non stop running models and coming up with ways to keep the team together and save jobs. 

From what I've seen of my European counterparts, they aren't experiencing these same sort of work / wage disruptions.  They have contracts that cannot easily be terminated and their federal governments are providing  greater wage replacement compared to their American peers.

The weaknesses of the US labor / workers organizations is really apparent.

 

[Judge Smails]

From what I've seen of my European counterparts, they aren't experiencing these same sort of work / wage disruptions.  They have contracts that cannot easily be terminated and their federal governments are providing  greater wage replacement compared to their American peers.

The weaknesses of the US labor / workers organizations is really apparent.

I agree we are not nearly as progressive with thinking through the best way to provide a safety net and softer landing that keeps companies whole, people employed, etc.  

 

[zamboni]

I agree we are not nearly as progressive with thinking through the best way to provide a safety net and softer landing that keeps companies whole, people employed, etc.  

I'm not sure I'd call it "progressive" - in normal times, European companies have long been criticized for being unable to/reticent in trimming their workforce even when it's warranted given a downturn in their business environment/profitability. I'd certainly call Europeans, by and large, more labor friendly than the US, and it's even more pronounced given the prevailing crisis mode. 

 

[TripItUp]

I'm not sure Europe is doing much of anything right business-wise with its financial concerns and lack of innovation when compared to the USA.(sans Germany which is pretty awesome)

Sure you can have amazing employment benefits but everything comes at a cost.

 

[East Coast Bias]

Getting more concerned by the day. I work for a public company that was splitting in two via an IPO of the second. Accepted a position with the split and moved cross country. IPO was supposed to happen in April/May and for obvious reasons it hasn’t. My job depends on us being a public company. Earliest we’ll split is Q1 2021 now. Not sure they’ll want to pay my salary for that long. I’ll be updating my resume and seeing what’s out there.

Company announced a one week furlough today. At least I get to pick my week. 

 

[matuski]

Company announced 50% commission payout for April, lowered commission % indefinitely.  All PTO is gone for the year (forced retroactively to April).

Sucks but we only had to let go of 1 person.  And that guy left us no choice... how do you not show up for 2 conference calls in a week, when ALL we had to do that week were these 2 conference calls. 

My team still has jobs.

 

[snogger]

Company announced 50% commission payout for April, lowered commission % indefinitely.  All PTO is gone for the year (forced retroactively to April).

Sucks but we only had to let go of 1 person.  And that guy left us no choice... how do you not show up for 2 conference calls in a week, when ALL we had to do that week were these 2 conference calls. 

My team still has jobs.

Wow, that is   

Meanwhile.. during the Employee Shareholder call today our CEO stated we need to start taking PTO to refresh.. Stated he knows most save up for vacations, but who knows when things will open up again for traveling.
He stated he understood we were working to pickup the slack of those furloughed, but mental fatigue is real and he wants our managers to work with us to figure out ways to take days off so we don't burn out.

 

[The Tick]

Wow, that is   

Meanwhile.. during the Employee Shareholder call today our CEO stated we need to start taking PTO to refresh.. Stated he knows most save up for vacations, but who knows when things will open up again for traveling.
He stated he understood we were working to pickup the slack of those furloughed, but mental fatigue is real and he wants our managers to work with us to figure out ways to take days off so we don't burn out.

More likely they want to get the PTO liabilities off the books.  My company is pushing that hard, anyone that hasn't taken most of their vacation yet, is being STRONGLY requested to take 10 days off in the current quarter for financial reasons. So far this is the only "concession" we've had to make during this, so that's pretty good.  They were considering pay cuts, but our last quarter results looked good enough where they have taken those off the table for now.

 

[bcat01]

More likely they want to get the PTO liabilities off the books.  My company is pushing that hard, anyone that hasn't taken most of their vacation yet, is being STRONGLY requested to take 10 days off in the current quarter for financial reasons. So far this is the only "concession" we've had to make during this, so that's pretty good.  They were considering pay cuts, but our last quarter results looked good enough where they have taken those off the table for now.

My company just told us that they are allowing us to cash out an extra day of PTO this year and roll over an extra 2 days to next year.  We only have 37 employees. 

 

[snogger]

Wow, that is   

Meanwhile.. during the Employee Shareholder call today our CEO stated we need to start taking PTO to refresh.. Stated he knows most save up for vacations, but who knows when things will open up again for traveling.
He stated he understood we were working to pickup the slack of those furloughed, but mental fatigue is real and he wants our managers to work with us to figure out ways to take days off so we don't burn out.

More likely they want to get the PTO liabilities off the books.  My company is pushing that hard, anyone that hasn't taken most of their vacation yet, is being STRONGLY requested to take 10 days off in the current quarter for financial reasons. So far this is the only "concession" we've had to make during this, so that's pretty good.  They were considering pay cuts, but our last quarter results looked good enough where they have taken those off the table for now.

probably.. But they aren't "forcing" us to take time off.. Just asking us to to refresh and use it as going on a "real" vacation is an unknown.. I was suppose to go to Canada Memorial day weekend.. But at this point that looks like less then 1% chance.. and probably not until July for the border to open is the rumors we are getting back from Lodge owners in Canada.

They already had us take a 20% pay cut for the 2nd quarter, and no 401(k) match for the rest of the year to cut costs. 

This company only allows you to have vacation time for the current year.. It is a "Use it or lose" PTO..
So, if you have say 20 hours of PTO still banked on December 31st, then on January 1st it's gone...   So, the longer this goes, the more likely StayCations are going to be the norm :(  

 

[The Man With No Name]

Had to start wearing masks Tuesday, which seems stupid. Why, after 3 months not wearing them, starting now?  Makes no sense to us.

 

[El Floppo]

I'm an architect with specialty in residential, and primarily residential interiors (the architecture, not the furniture). and at this point, the only thing I'm worthwhile at given my seniority- I'm not a guy as senior hire who's going to get you senior level work doing offices, retail, healthcare or some other stuff/sectors. 

I got laid off from a new job April 1 after both of my job sites closed up, and felt like my particular residential sector was going to be in dire straights for a while. who's going to have the money after this to want to spend on what is purely luxury at this point- people will be looking at ways of cutting costs and not hiring an architect to redo your apartment or house is an easy one. hell- not redoing your apartment or house is another easy one.

I was figuring it will be months before I see any want-ads for me. but yesterday *bam* three. heard back from one immediately and have a zoom interview set up for monday with the least interesting/probable paying of the three. but at this point, I'll take anything. nice psychological boost too, regardless of whether I get offered anything.

 

[Mr.Pack]

I'm an architect with specialty in residential, and primarily residential interiors (the architecture, not the furniture). and at this point, the only thing I'm worthwhile at given my seniority- I'm not a guy as senior hire who's going to get you senior level work doing offices, retail, healthcare or some other stuff/sectors. 

I got laid off from a new job April 1 after both of my job sites closed up, and felt like my particular residential sector was going to be in dire straights for a while. who's going to have the money after this to want to spend on what is purely luxury at this point- people will be looking at ways of cutting costs and not hiring an architect to redo your apartment or house is an easy one. hell- not redoing your apartment or house is another easy one.

I was figuring it will be months before I see any want-ads for me. but yesterday *bam* three. heard back from one immediately and have a zoom interview set up for monday with the least interesting/probable paying of the three. but at this point, I'll take anything. nice psychological boost too, regardless of whether I get offered anything.

You got this GB.

 

[-OZ-]

Conference call, section boss is talking about possibly starting to go back in June, but "liberal" teleworking. Apparently the 2nd in charge of the larger office was against telework but now has "softened his stance" while the senior boss has been very open to it.  So it's looking like we might be around 40-60% strength in the office while everyone else works from home for a long time. I'm definitely good with that plan. 

Working from home has challenges but also benefits for sure. 4 kids doing home school and a highly energetic 5yo make it interesting at times.

 

[urbanhack]

Aaaaand officially laid off as of today. Knew it was happening at some point but was at least expecting a phone call from the CEO as we are a small company and I was on the executive team.  Nope, just a cold email and then someone noticed that he was also posting instagram stories from the fancy house he’s renting in Palm Springs this weekend.   He can go #### right off.

 

[El Floppo]

Aaaaand officially laid off as of today. Knew it was happening at some point but was at least expecting a phone call from the CEO as we are a small company and I was on the executive team.  Nope, just a cold email and then someone noticed that he was also posting instagram stories from the fancy house he’s renting in Palm Springs this weekend.   He can go #### right off.

What a ####.

Sorry to hear, gb. and wish people were more...dunno...humane dealing with this stuff. No personal phone call or even a text?

 

[BassNBrew]

Aaaaand officially laid off as of today. Knew it was happening at some point but was at least expecting a phone call from the CEO as we are a small company and I was on the executive team.  Nope, just a cold email and then someone noticed that he was also posting instagram stories from the fancy house he’s renting in Palm Springs this weekend.   He can go #### right off.

Sorry to hear. 

Wont help, but the last time I got axed, hr called me into the office so my boss could #### can me via phone from his beach vacation 

 

[Judge Smails]

Company announced 50% commission payout for April, lowered commission % indefinitely.  All PTO is gone for the year (forced retroactively to April).

Sucks but we only had to let go of 1 person.  And that guy left us no choice... how do you not show up for 2 conference calls in a week, when ALL we had to do that week were these 2 conference calls. 

My team still has jobs.

How do you lower commission? That’s eat what you kill. No way I’m doing that to my team. I’m not reducing quotas but they get full commission earned 

 

[matuski]

How do you lower commission? That’s eat what you kill. No way I’m doing that to my team. I’m not reducing quotas but they get full commission earned 

I know.  

They setup tiers.. over X you get full commission.  90% of X you get 50%.

Funny coincidence.. for April? 0 people over X.  Several under 90%.. meaning they got 0 dollars.

eta - best of all?  They told us this week.. after we had worked April.  

etaa - the one that really gets me is the PTO, how do you "force" PTO retroactively.  

 

[BassNBrew]

I know.  

They setup tiers.. over X you get full commission.  90% of X you get 50%.

Funny coincidence.. for April? 0 people over X.  Several under 90%.. meaning they got 0 dollars.

eta - best of all?  They told us this week.. after we had worked April.  

etaa - the one that really gets me is the PTO, how do you "force" PTO retroactively.  

That's an all around bad beat.  I hope when things get better you take your skills elsewhere and make what you deserve.

 

[fruity pebbles]

I know.  

They setup tiers.. over X you get full commission.  90% of X you get 50%.

Funny coincidence.. for April? 0 people over X.  Several under 90%.. meaning they got 0 dollars.

eta - best of all?  They told us this week.. after we had worked April.  

etaa - the one that really gets me is the PTO, how do you "force" PTO retroactively.  

Times like this are when companies show how much their employees mean to them. 

 

[-OZ-]

Times like this are when companies show how much their employees mean to them. 

Yep

I'd hope the employees who were treated poorly are able to find places that appreciate them, or some may go self employed when possible. 

 

[matuski]

Yep

I'd hope the employees who were treated poorly are able to find places that appreciate them, or some may go self employed when possible. 

3 years into my side business.  I think I need another 3-5 to make it my full time gig.

Definitely the goal.

 

[matuski]

That's an all around bad beat.  I hope when things get better you take your skills elsewhere and make what you deserve.

I turned down an offer right as all the covid was coming on... I thought this was the safer play. 

 

[[icon]]

Me: Large international Corp ($50B/250k employees) focusing on Electricity/Power delivery & infrastructure 

- 1 week forced unpaid Furlough in May and June. 

- Vacation time is permissive (unlimited) so that's unaffected. 

- Company has cut unnecessary spending significantly. 

- No COVID layoffs yet 

CURRENT WORRY LEVEL: 5

---

GF: Midsized (200 employees) Subsidiary of large global company (83k employees) focusing on Logistics 

- Auto-Burn 4 of 12 vacation days in April

- Auto- Burn 4 more in May 

- No COVID layoffs yet 

- CURRENT WORRY LEVEL : 5

 

[BassNBrew]

Me: Large international Corp ($50B/250k employees) focusing on Electricity/Power delivery & infrastructure 

- 1 week forced unpaid Furlough in May and June. 

- Vacation time is permissive (unlimited) so that's unaffected. 

- Company has cut unnecessary spending significantly. 

- No COVID layoffs yet 

CURRENT WORRY LEVEL: 5

---

GF: Midsized (200 employees) Subsidiary of large global company (83k employees) focusing on Logistics 

- Auto-Burn 4 of 12 vacation days in April

- Auto- Burn 4 more in May 

- No COVID layoffs yet 

- CURRENT WORRY LEVEL : 5

#### that auto burn crap. 

 

[Gawain]

Had to start wearing masks Tuesday, which seems stupid. Why, after 3 months not wearing them, starting now?  Makes no sense to us.

We just started the mask push inside all company buildings last week.

One big reason was supply. We weren't sure that we'd have supply for both people who have to interact with the public (delivery/sales) and all the inside folks. While the masks we have aren't great, we have enough for everyone now.

Second reason is to get folks ready for when we start to open up a bit in a week. We're expecting a secondary lift in cases as the number of vectors people have increases. Want to ensure that anyone who brings it in (2 of the 3 people who have had it at my company passed the healthcare screen) isn't infecting others.

 

[BobbyLayne]

you know who’s not worried about job security rn?

 

[El Floppo]

Thanks for all the support, friends- means more to me than expected.

Question... this upcoming zoom interview- thoughts on dress code?

We bugged out from NYC a month ago and I've been living in the same 5 t shirts I packed. Hadn't expected to need anything else, so didn't bring anything more formal.

should I wear a collared shirt for this? My only option is to go to Walmart, so I won't be exactly impressing anybody with any new duds. or I just wear one of the plain black t-shirts I have and call it a day.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Thanks for all the support, friends- means more to me than expected.

Question... this upcoming zoom interview- thoughts on dress code?

We bugged out from NYC a month ago and I've been living in the same 5 t shirts I packed. Hadn't expected to need anything else, so didn't bring anything more formal.

should I wear a collared shirt for this? My only option is to go to Walmart, so I won't be exactly impressing anybody with any new duds. or I just wear one of the plain black t-shirts I have and call it a day.

I’ve done a couple interviews via Zoom.  I was probably dressed 1-2 levels down from normal.  Normal for me would be suit and tie.  In this case it was button up with casual sport coat.

Edit to add:  one of my interviewers was the head of IT (awesome guy) and he was wearing a t-shirt and shorts.