Comments on Defending Pandora: Economic Impact: Layoffs

It's never pleasant or easy, but it's sometimes ne...

2009-11-10T22:09:19.772-05:00

It's never pleasant or easy, but it's sometimes necessary. People find a way through, though. We're like weeds that way.

Consider yourself lucky. I was in higher ed for te...

2009-11-10T17:43:42.948-05:00

Consider yourself lucky. I was in higher ed for ten years previous, but left two years ago to try something new. My company did not do well--the economy just one of many reasons--and they struggled.

They should have laid some people off, but they didn't. They should have cut costs, but they didn't. Instead, they stuck their heads in the sand and let the money dwindle to the point that they couldn't make July's payroll.

I've never been unemployed, but not getting paid is a deal breaker, so I laid myself off and went nearly two months without a paycheck. It was stressful and frustrating.

I can see now that companies that realize they are in trouble early and can find ways to cut down on costs are just doing what is best to keep the company viable. It's not personal and it certainly better than simply not getting a paycheck one day.

The truth is, not everyone that gets laid off is "...

2009-11-10T17:42:56.195-05:00

The truth is, not everyone that gets laid off is "stuck in the mud." Though I must admit, sometimes being the one left behind is much harder than being the one let go. Those left behind not only get to take up the slack left by the departed, but also need to constantly evaluate if they might be next. These are trying times for everyone.

My wife has been through many rounds of layoffs, t...

2009-11-10T12:59:13.050-05:00

My wife has been through many rounds of layoffs, throughout all of which she has kept her job. She might have better perspective on the question than I do. I've been through layoffs only once, and it was in a different department.