Wow, Savvy you read my mind today. As I was watching the news this morning, the resturant chain Bennigans filed bankrupcy and never informed their employees. Of course they showed up for work to be told they no longer have a job. That is over a thousand people. They weren't even prepared, no memo, no talk, no meeting, nothing.

I know so many who have been laid off, fired, downsized - whatever you want to call it this year.

I know several people who will lose jobs due to store closures this year.

Not so off-topic, if the folks in LA put a ban on fast food, what will they do for the employees who will lose their jobs when the fast food places close?? In an area that is struggling economically already, this ban may not be the best choice after all. Instead of eating fast food, people might be starving. Not a good thing, either way.

I've lost count. Just lost 3 last week, and the year's only half over.

bellaressa - That seems to happen a lot with restaurants! There's been a few chains that have closed down recently and when I walked by them, there would just be a note on there basically saying, "Sorry, we've closed our doors for goods. Employees, you'll be receiving your last check in the mail." You can't at least tell your employees that face-to-face?? It's hard enough to make it in that industry as is, don't they deserve more than that?

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My company has already had some layoffs too. And I know a few others mostly in construction-related businesses this year, although that particular trend really started getting out of hand earlier last year. It's scary.

*"....for good."

freegracefrom ---the worse part was they had actually employees there. It was heartbreaking. These employees don't even know if they will be getting their last checks. There has been no communication to them. The last company I was with laid off more than 300 people due to "restructing" they just pilled the work on the remaining employees without extra pay.

It's becoming harder to find a job, even if your qualified, companies are scared to hire b/c people may ask for a higher salary. I hope people are starting more to pay off their debt and save, save, save. B/c 6 months of unemployment does not cut it and the extra 6 months grace they give you will only keep you afloat for so long.

Thankfully up here in Northwestern Washington there haven't been too many lost jobs. We have a lot of $ coming in right now actaully in order to get ready for the 2010 Vancouver, BC Olympics.

My mother, my brother, myself, and a family friend all lost jobs this year. The bright side is all are employed again.

It was either early this year or late last year that my mom got laid off -- after nearly 20 years at her job!! She's been trying to get back out there, but is undoubtedly facing some age discrimination. That, combined with her behind-the-times technical skills, means that if/when she ever does find something, she'll likely be taking a huge pay cut, which definitely puts my parents in financial trouble because they're still paying off the house they bought a few years ago

My soon to be BIL lost his job a couple of weeks ago.

My sister lost a job last summer. She was a waitress and they told them one night that they didn't need to come in the next day because they were going bankrupt and they had to close. They said they didn't tell them earlier because they knew no one would show up.

layoffs like the ones at bennigan's happen often when they don't tell their employees. they usually don't tell them because they think the employees will either not show up for the last couple of days or they think they'll steal whatever is left in the building. can't say i blame the soon to be ex-employees.

i know there were some bennigan's managers who were told the day before and told not to tell their employees. a few of them did because of their loyalty to the employees. what's it going to hurt the manager? they're about to be out of a job too.

sure do - me. 2 weeks ago.
Finding a new job is not as easy as it used to be either!

Yes, my husband's company closed and the name was bought. He worked there for over 6 years. My BIL worked there, too.

300 of us or so at work including myself only have another month left until we get tossed out into the street!

Everyone I knew was fine until yesterday - Cadwalader's mass lawyer lay off yesterday morning caught a few of my friends. Coming in to work to find an envelope on your chair is pretty scary!

yes--ME!

I dont know anyone who has. But I know people who are scared that its gonna happen to them real soon.

I think my mother lost her job from BBT bank. She is about to "go on" her third week of vacation. My dad says it is a new company policy to use up her vacation hours or something