Well the dreaded layoff is happening

[debster913]

So sorry to hear, Ross. The Hubster and I are keepin' you in our thoughts and prayers.

Our school district is cutting back a lot and we're losing some great teachers. My dad's next door neighbor has had her salary cut in half. It's sucky all around.

 

[Marguerite53]

Such a bummer, Ross. I'm sorry. It is a rough time for so many people. We've been on unemployment since October. Glad they extended the dates, and also there's some kind of reduced payments deal regarding COBRA. We've been without cable (well we still have, ABC, NBC, PBS, CBS... just the basics) for many months now and honestly, we don't miss it. Radio is still free!! Great stuff on the air.

I hope there is some light at the end of the tunnel somewhere. I know it's so rough and you hate not being able to go out and work.

Hang in there. Best wishes.

Marguerite

 

[twobike]

Hope things turn around for you soon. There are so many out there suffering through hard times. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Ross,
I am sorry to read this news. I hope everything turns out OK for you and Lyn.

 

[Wise]

You have our thoughts and prayers Ross.

 

[Eva]

So sorry, Ross. My hubby's company lost several projects and thus several employees will be laid off! So, I shall keep all of us in my prayers.

 

[Jan]

Hi Ross

Hope things improve for you both soon,

cheers

Jan

 

[Bridgette]

I'm really sorry Ross - don't know what to say except that I hope things can somehow improve a bit for your family. Not sure how, but maybe there's something around the corner...

Bridgette

 

[Ross]

Lyn and I talked it over. It's really no surprise, we both sort of knew it was a matter of time. This entire town and pretty much entire county is and has been in economic depression for the last 2 years. With most of the local economy slumped, it's surprising that those jobs lasted this long.

Tbone and I went out to breakfast one morning and on the way back, drove through the center of town. I think we counted at least 6 or 8 businesses with for rent/sale signs in a 3 block area.

Of course I'm upset. Who wouldn't be. We realize we are not alone in this problem area. Its' just that we've had so much pounce on us that we are dangerouly close to seeking public assistance and have been trying hard not to succomb to having to do it. Guess we'll take it day by day and see where it goes.

Top it off, pick up the paper to see that another local castings company is laying off 400 and closing the plant down until the economy improves. How the hell is it going to improve if no one is working? 10.6% unemployed my butt, it's more like 20 to 25% and rising.

 

[epstns]

Ross,
This is just so very depressing to hear. I know what you both feel like. My company is a supplier to the automotive industry -- we've already been through several rounds of layoffs and pay reductions, and I'm sure all the remaining employees are just waiting for the next bomb to drop.

Hang in there -- one would think it can only get better from here.

 

[Ross]

Ross,
This is just so very depressing to hear. I know what you both feel like. My company is a supplier to the automotive industry -- we've already been through several rounds of layoffs and pay reductions, and I'm sure all the remaining employees are just waiting for the next bomb to drop.

Hang in there -- one would think it can only get better from here.

I'm trying Steve. I just don't think we've bottomed out yet. I think it's still coming down the pike.

The automotive infrastructure has got to be fortified. This town relies heavily on the automakers producing autos.

 

[catwoman]

Ross:

I hate to hear that any household has been hit with a layoff, but yours certainly doesn't need one!

Working for a newspaper, I hold my breath daily. Last month we had another round of layoffs (positions eliminated) and offers of severance packages. I am in a department that is revenue-producing and, at this point, deemed indispensable. My co-worker and I were not provided information about severance packages.
However, my pay has been cut 2.5%, starting April 6 (thank heavens I wasn't in the bracket with a 10% pay cut!); the company has stopped 401(k) contributions and has frozen pensions (I will get two, under two different previous corporate owners of the company).

 

[Superbob]

Ross, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

The other day my long-time employer, media company, laid off a bunch of people, including the editorial cartoonist, who produced one of the most liked features in the paper. It really is depressing right now. Pray it all turns around soon.

 

[terryj]

So sorry to hear this Ross. My husband works for a Fiberglas manufacturer. They have laid off 85 so far and more are coming the end of this month. My ex son-in-law will be laid off in the next go round. He has a big house and joint custody of my granddaughters. I don't know what he will do. He has been at this company 12 years. I feel guilty right now that my husband and I don't have to worry about getting laid off. The worse that can happen is we get early retirement. But, we did lose a ton of money in our 401ks and my daughter has had to move back in with us because she can't afford to live on her own anymore. Maybe things will get better for everyone soon..

 

[palmaceae]

Sorry to hear this Ross, we will be praying for you. This is a great verse that really puts things in prospective. God has the plan, and it will all work out for the best.

Matthew 6:25-34
25 ?Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 ?So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 ?Therefore do not worry, saying, ?What shall we eat?? or ?What shall we drink?? or ?What shall we wear??
32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 

[lisou]

So sorry to hear this Ross, praying that things starts going better for you and Lyn.

 

[Sherry]

I'm so sorry, Ross. You and Lynn are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[geebee]

Ross,

You are all in my prayers.

You are correct that the unemployment numbers are not accurate. They only reflect who is collecting unemployment but what about those who no longer collect or who cannot collect for whatever reason (including my SO). Chris has been out of work since November because the company he worked for cut the labor force so bad that Chris could no longer do the amount of work they required for his position. He had to leave or drop over dead from exhaustion. We chose for him to quit and he has not found work. Luckily I am still working but it's scary to only have one source of income especially when that one source is someone with my medical history.

The entire country needs prayers as things are looking pretty grim.

 

[kfay]

Ross, I'm very sorry to hear this. I hope that some how, some way, you guys can find your way out of this. Please keep us posted.

Kim

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Thinking about you and Lyn right now Ross as I believe it is noon your time. "This too shall pass."