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The Laid-Off Ladies: Reader Shares Her Mixed Emotions
Despite optimistic news that approximately 38 percent of employers are planning on extending offers to some of their laid-off workers as business conditions improve, workers continue to be affected by layoffs and fear job security. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US unemployment rate was 9.8 percent in September. Unfortunately, SavvySugar Community member PinkTulip is one of the many workers who was laid off recently.
Community Colleges Help Job Hunters Get Back in the Game
Many of you are starting or returning to a grad program in the Fall, but graduate school isn't the only option out there. An increasing amount of working professionals and laid-off employees are turning to community college courses as a way to remain competitive in an overcrowded job market.
Certificate programs, additional coursework in your current field, or classes in a new field can all increase your career options and make you a more appealing candidate.
I'm Asking: Is There Really a Best Day to Do Layoffs?
Friday is the most popular day for employers to announce layoffs. I suppose this is less disruptive to the office as a whole — the laid off workers are left with the weekend ahead of them, while those left behind have a couple days to absorb what those losses mean. But really, if the pink slip were to make its way to me, I'm not sure the day of week would really make a difference.
Have You Ever Experienced Layoff Survivor Guilt?
The job market has most of us who are still employed silently singing power ballads ("I'm not gon' stop (what), I'm gonna work harder (what), I'm a survivor!") and putting in extra effort to prove our abilities to our employers.
While making it through layoffs is reassuring, it isn't easy seeing your city empty as the job market worsens or the lights go out in the offices around you. Have you ever suffered a sense of guilt for still having a job and security after a co-worker, loved one or friend was laid off, or are you able to keep trucking along undisturbed?
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Do You Feel Like the Economy Is Getting Better?
Word on the street is that the worst of the recession is over. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke declared as much in mid-September, and the economy actually grew instead of shrinking in the third quarter of this year. So, in theory, things should be on the upswing.
Savvy Links: Advice From Glamour's Women of the Year
- Advice from Glamour's Women of the Year: Work hard at your job, but work harder at your life. — Glamour
- Could the recession jump-start your health? — Walletpop
- ICYMI, Google is making holiday travel more tolerable with free WiFi — GeekSugar
- How to establish credit history without losing your shirt.
Your Two Cents: How Often Do You Feel Nervous at Work?
A good friend recently admitted she gets nervous and clammy whenever her boss schedules a meeting with her, which is quite often. She's never been given a bad review or stern talking to, but there's something about being called into a one-on-one that makes her panic.
When I asked her why she couldn't explain her fears, except that, like most SavvySugar readers, the recession and layoffs at her company have left her particularly uneasy and chipped away at her confidence.
Your Two Cents: Is Layoff Survivor Syndrome Legitimate?
It's hard to say goodbye to laid-off coworkers, especially when you're reminded of your own vulnerability as an employee. Some experts say that the emotional effects on co-workers left after a round of layoffs are similar to the stress felt by workers suddenly laid-off. Layoff survivors are often left feeling like they should be grateful for the extra work and anxiety that comes with a downsized workforce.
What Travelers Should Know About Layoff Insurance
Most of us could use a vacation right about now, but it's tough to feel confident spending money on a trip when the economy continues to shed jobs by the thousands. Travel insurance providers have seen a huge uptick in travelers asking for an extra layoff insurance provision, designed to reimburse vacationers who plan big trips then lose their jobs. Here are a few things you should know before deciding on a travel insurance package and provider.
Six Industries Vulnerable to Layoffs
About 760,000 US workers were laid off this year and 25 percent of employers anticipate layoffs in the next 12 month period. It's suggested that the big question for some sectors isn't if, but when, layoffs will occur, and here are the industries that experts say are more vulnerable to a compromised workforce than others.
- Housing: Beyond the jobs lost from the mortgage meltdown like mortgage lenders and homebuilders, jobs in commercial real-estate and at real-estate agencies could be the next to go.
- Finance: Expect more layoffs as financial firms reorganize and consolidate.
- Retail: The holidays look dismal for retailers and that doesn't fare well for industry employees.
- Publishing: We can expect tough times ahead for newspapers and magazines that rely on advertisers.
- Autos: Plummeting sales will likely lead to layoffs in manufacturing and at dealerships and suppliers.
- Travel: With consumers spending less on travel, there may be layers of layoffs from airlines, rental cars, hotels, and restaurants.
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