Laura's Corner

We don't need you anymore...

Posted by Laura Beyer on May 8, 2008

Shocking, yes, but for many, these words are commonplace.  In today’s society, there are millions of people who have already heard these words, yet many more will hear them within a certain amount of time.
With companies downsizing, unable or unwilling to pay promised salaries, employees are being shown the front, back or side doors.  In some cases, many are simply locked out of their computers and instructed to leave quietly. 
Although Americans are aware of this growing trend, many are ill-prepared to deal with the “hurricane” brewing amongst us. Many are dealing not only with the loss of income but the shock that assists us in forgetting about the other necessities of life. Have you become accustomed to health, dental, 401K, investments? Are you prepared to shell out big dollars for the health care which is offered to you upon the loss of your job? 
How in the world can we begin to heal a broken society?  How do we prepare for a torrential downpour?   There is no way an umbrella can cover you from this storm.  There is not a  bandaid large enough to heal a cut this deep.
It is time American, to begin to realize that everyone is replaceable.   Despite your degree from any well-known higher learning center, you are at risk of being replaced by another who will work for less than half of what your company is paying.   Unless you own the company, you may be “the next one”.   Have you noticed how often most employees will never meet the president of the company?   If you have, it may have been at a company wide function or meeting.  I bet 9 times out of 10 you have still never been formally introduced and had a face to face conversation with the owner.  Could this be so that when it is time to let you go, he or she has no emotional attachment to yourself?  How do we get prepared and how can we safeguard ourselves from the chopping block?

First and foremost, do not put your “stake” in one company.  Your job is to keep your eyes and ears open to the possibility of accepting a new position.   How sad it is to hear when a person has “served” 20 years of their life at a company only to be cut without pay or loss of pension?  How many times did this person believe, “it won’t happen to me”. The company is not responsible for you when you are gone.  They have cut others, probably many others, the same way.  Companies will never be held liable.  Today, I have rarely heard of a time when a new hire has signed an employment contract.   If they have, it usually states they have to right to terminate without notice.  It also states you have the right to resign at any time as well. 

Secondly, save your money.  At this time, with gas and grocery prices rising, think about what you need, not what you want.  Take a long hard look at your living expenses.  Think about what your parents or grandparents lived on and realize that life wasn’t so bad back then. Most every woman I know over the age of 60 was able to stay home and raise her children.  My maternal grandparents lived a very simple life.  My grandfather worked and my grandmother stayed home and raised 8 children.  They had a modest home, one they could afford and a vehicle which was paid for.  They did not have extravagant expenses and paid for everything in cash.  They did not have credit cards, car payments and lived within their means.  They never felt “less than” and saved enough to be able to retire and travel the world.  They put their wealth in their family.  They were a strong couple and did not succumb to the pressures of the world to keep up with the Joneses. 

Thirdly, take a long hard look at your personal surroundings.  If you look inside your closet, what will you find?  How about the inside of your garage?  Is there anything of value which you rarely use, or feel is used to impress others?  If you lost this item, could you live without it?  If you feel the answer is yes, and it is paid for, consider selling it. Pay down your living expenses.   Do you own many items comparable to jewelry, shoes, purses, etc?  There are many sites online which charge a minimal amount for you to post and sell these items. Better yet, hold a rummage sale.  Whatever you make put towards paying off high interest credit cards or car loans. 

Another item on the agenda are non-necessary expenses.  Do you feel the need to purchase items for your children which they could not afford to pay for themselves?  How about the cell phones in your home?  Does your child really need one?  How about that MP3 player or the newest game system?  Who pays for the games, which can run $30 on up?  Can our children live without these items?  I believe so!  How about they go interact with their friends in the neighborhood, the way we used to. Without these items our children would eventually break out of their “online” shells and have relationships with others on the block.  Initially, cutting back regarding your children will be very difficult.  At this time you have to realize that what is most important is the environment they are living in, not what they are surrounded with.   Unless they make their own money and can afford their own extracarriculars, your only responsibilities are to ensure they feel
loved, safe and are raised with boundaries.  Time with them will be your greatest investment and is absolutely free.   

Let’s take a look at our own personal expenses.  If you sold the expensive vehicle you owned, could you afford to purchase a less expensive vehicle with cash?  A girlfriend of mine owned a very expense SUV, which she was paying at least $600 a month for. She sold  that vehicle, saved up for a couple of months, and purchased a less expensive vehicle for under $3000.00.   It did not have the same luxuries, but what it did include was piece of mind and less gas. 

Next, it is time to throw yourself out there and find new employment.  How, you may ask?  Get on the internet and do your research.  There are many places available to find work.  Stop by your local employment temp agency and make an appointment to fill out paperwork.  Give them your resume and keep in touch.  Each major city should have a job assistance agency.  Your local library allows free computer and internet usage.  Stop by and prepare to spend a couple of hours in order to invest in your future.  Ask friends and family members if they know anyone who is hiring.   They may open the door to a new avenue, something you may not have considered previously. 

Ever consider going back to school?  Most employers require a degree of some sort to begin at an entry level position.  Many universities have grants or scholarships available to lower income families.   Even if you begin taking general classes, it is something you can include on your resume.  Knowing you are working towards a college degree is something most employers will favor. 

Get ready, prepare and the loss of employment may not be a stressful one.  When we realize that we only have one life, and freedom of choice, we can empower ourselves to be prepared for any situation.  Take control and do not allow someone else to decide your fate.  Be open to the idea that the loss of this job may be exactly what you needed.  It may help you to become a stronger individual and open your eyes to a new and exciting adventure.  Take the opportunity to grow and learn.   Keep your chin up and don’t give up for one minute. 

UNTIL NEXT TIME AMERICA!