Reductions in force are becoming the norm these days and they are a real downer. We've been doing them since mid-December and I'm just waiting for when my number comes up. Our client (I'm a contractor employee) has gotten to the point that they've had to start doing them. I was told they did 7 this week but of those 7, only one was a true lay off - the rest were offered early retirement.
While I undertand the need for a business to reduce expenses, when the economy is like this I believe they are actually doing more harm than good to their bottom line. If people aren't working, they can't purchase goods and services which means the company isn't going to bring in any revenue. But I guess that would only apply to the smaller service/goods based industries - not one like I work which doesn't sell directly to the public.
Hang in there and be prepared. I was once told by a former employer my job was secure even though the signs all said different - I was right because within 2 months of my questioning how some changes were going to affect my job, I was given notice.
Michelle
