Everybody is creeped out over the economy. Everyone is worried about their job. We have just gone to riding high on the hog to hoping we make it over the tree tops. This is a tough economy, and we are not used to much of anything that’s tough.
Yes, we heard stories of the Depression. But that was so long ago. And it is difficult to relate to those grainy black and white films or the bitter tales that grandpa told us. It is a tragedy when the liquor store runs out of single malt Scotch, or the softer brand toilet paper is out of stock. A lot of us are used to extending ourselves and buying $2 Hundred jeans and $400.00 shirts. This by no means is most of us, but it is enough of us. Just look at the cars we drive, that we lease, and you know many of us have overextended.
So now it is crunch time and every day is a new adventure with working. You show up at the office unsure if you will get that offer of a buyout, the layoff slip, the goodbye, see you later, scenario. You read the paper and every company is firing people by the thousand. The number start to roll up where the loss is unestimable on people’s ability to earn a living. On people’s psyches.
I had a story the other day from a woman who tried to call her so called friends who through networking could help her find a job. Most wouldn’t take her calls. Were they that calloused or simply too embarrassed they couldn’t help her find work? Tough to say.
If you are an employer, treat your people well. Reassure them but be realistic. And do not uses this bad economy as leverage to hold over their heads so that they are in constant fear of losing their jobs. It isn’t right, and it isn’t fair.
And if you are working and your friend was laid off, don’t ignore them. Take their call. Tell them there isn’t much you can do, but you will let them know if you hear of anything. Most people realize how tough it is and that there are no miracle workers. But times will change, and you would rather be known in the future era as a better person than the person who ignored his friends. Besides, when you get up in the morning and stare in the mirror, you will like the person you see.
Check them out before you hire.
