Comments on: Gen Y: Should You Stay or Should You Go?

By: Simonn

Simonn — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 05:02:33 +0000

Your right there are great opportunities but paying for one isn’t the best

By: Kim Summers

Kim Summers — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:29:43 +0000

Having been out of work since Feb. of 08 I must say that this economy is really tough! In the words of my former manager, ” …Kim performed her job with the highest level of integrity at all times. Furthermore, I found her to be a good communicator, a skilled negotiator, and a creative thinker. Additionally, she approached her job with high energy and a consistently pleasant attitude.” Still I was laid off. I search EVERY DAY with modest results. To have a job is a blessing. With the layoff in the finance industry the remaining employees are going through the pain. Still that pain is better than the alternative. I don’t know about other states but if she lived in California the MOST she could get on unemployment is $450.00 a week (BEFORE TAX!) and I think that is based upon being at a company for awhile…Hardly a living wage! That said, I believe that speaking with other employees Whitney might have enough support to approach the powers that be. Together they should start by saying how grateful they are to have the jobs and ask how long the company expects this TEMPORARY deviation from the company work/lifestyle policy to last. Tell the powers that be that all of the employees are in it for the long haul. Reiterate their understanding of the economy and the tough decisions that had been made concerning the layoffs. As a group they are seeking a date when they can once again look into evening classes or a play series. Until then they might also suggest a rotating 1/2 day off where 1 member of the group would get to take a Friday afternoon or a Monday morning off. Call it company comp time. If that doesn’t fly then suggest a bonus day where the bosses would award 1 employee in each department a day off for going the extra mile or coming up with the best cost saving idea. Announce a contest. The rest of the company could have that day as a Pizza lunch on the company to build moral. A great mother used to say, “This too shall pass.”

By: Eric Chester

Eric Chester — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:37:37 +0000

Some incredible advice for Whitney, Leanne. Thanks for caring enough about her dilemma to offer up actionable ideas that she can sink her teeth into. Bravo.

By: Michael Benidt

Michael Benidt — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:53:50 +0000

I can vouch for Leanne’s strong feelings about balancing work and personal life – and I, too, have no respect for companies that “bait and switch.” I wrote a comment on Eric’s blog, so I won’t rewrite that here. But, Eric asked what advice would I have for his daughter – and what advice would I have for the company. I addressed his daughter, because I don’t think I can affect the company from outside.

However, I think Leanne just might, with her new strategy of bringing work/life issues to the forefront of company planning. Companies will someday have to face this new phenomenon of people who actually care about their lifestyle, as much as their work – and the good ones will do it now.

Thanks Leanne, for continuing the discussion.

By: Jeff Clark

Jeff Clark — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:48:23 +0000

My advice for her would be to either put up and shut up or get up and go.

When they promised “great family values” or whatever, she was interviewing before “Ponzi Scheme” was a household name. Things have changed and so has her job (and everyone else’s). If you can’t adapt, you’ll never grow.

While it seems like “in this economy” starts every story on the news, there are plenty of places that aren’t effected (affected?) by the economic slump: medical/bio-med, most of the internet and legal.

An 8% unemployment rate still means a 92% EMPLOYMENT rate. The majority of people are employed and there are still plenty of jobs for people that are good at things.

If you hate your job, quit. There’s no reason to be unhappy 12+ hours a day if you can help it.