Layoffs

**MamaTreadler** · 12-18-2008, 12:56 PM

My husband came home from work yesterday and told me there were massive layoffs at the company he is currently placed at. All the layoffs were full time employees. My husband is a contractor, so we are safe for now.

But can you imagine? Getting fired from your job literally one week before Christmas?? I have to wonder whose brain child of an idea that was.

He said all day long people were coming through and saying good-bye. Some of them were crying. Several said there would be no Christmas at all now.

Scary world we live in now...

**Jeanna** · 12-18-2008, 12:59 PM

This seems to be happening all over. I guess there really is no good time but right before Christmas is the worse. We have been lucky so far and the company that my husband works for would have to shut down before my husband would lose his job. I count my blessings every day.

**The Muse** · 12-18-2008, 01:01 PM

It's never a good time to get laid off.

DH got laid off a week before we were supposed to move out of state (he worked remotely and just needed to be close to an airport). I'd quit my job, we'd given our landlord notice on the apartment, hired a truck, rented an apartment, bought a plane ticket for his buddy to fly out to help move us, etc.. That was much worse than being laid off before Xmas (for us anyway) and his manager knew of and OKed our move. It was a disaster!

**JerryG** · 12-18-2008, 01:33 PM

Yes, I can imagine getting laid off right before Xmas. I was just canned / axed / 86'd / let go last week. Yeah, not on my "list of things to do for Xmas"

**Dancing Lotus** · 12-18-2008, 01:40 PM

I'm not sure but I think they do it because they don't want to go in to the new year with the employees. I think it's rotten timing but I'm sure there is a reason because it seams to be a common practice.

Historically, the highest numbers of job cuts in Massachusetts and elsewhere have been recorded in December, when executives typically scramble to hit profit targets and prepare budgets for the following year.

**Gardengal18** · 12-18-2008, 01:55 PM

I knew of a girl who's husband got canned at 5pm the day before they got MARRIED!

No time is a good time, but right before the holidays is a bit heartless. At my job they "requested" 20 to "volunteer" to leave and if not they will decided from that pool who will be the ones to leave. The very next day they sent around invitations to the "Holiday Party" Rumor has it that they are looking to get rid of another 60 -80 come March '09. And this company made a "Killing" in the last year. Wonderful isn't it?

**homesteadmamma** · 12-18-2008, 02:03 PM

No time is a good time to be laid off, however at Christmas it's got to be the worse. I think the economy as we've known it is no more. I truly wonder how many of these jobs will people have to come back to once the lay-offs are over.

btw: glad your dh is safe for now.

**annymoll** · 12-18-2008, 02:12 PM

There are several companies in our area that are laying off.We are not going to renew the leases on the rental homes on our farm after we close the second week of January.We have a niece that will rent one, and an employee at the hospital that will rent the other. It is a sad situation,and I feel for those families.They will have to find new homes. But in these trying times, we have to make sure our family and friends have a roof over their heads.I expect things are going to be rough all around.Loss of jobs, loss of homes.What a mess.

**katmattus** · 12-18-2008, 02:47 PM

A hug to those who've lost a job recently. I agree that anytime of year is bad, but it sure seems worse at this time of year. My dh was laid off the day before Christmas Eve the year I was 5mos pregnant w/ our second child. Now that was quite a bummer!

**Michelle68** · 12-18-2008, 08:33 PM

How sad for those who lost their jobs. I'm sorry to hear about your husband's co-workers who were laid off, but I'm glad he still has a job.

**brennasmom** · 12-18-2008, 08:50 PM

How awful... it's really too bad they couldn't have held off until after the first of the year. Although it is never a good time.

I think we will see much more in 2009

**Ilovesewing** · 12-18-2008, 10:02 PM

Big difference between being laid off (company bottom line, employee did nothing wrong) and being fired (doing something to cause your dismissal).

Any time of the year is not a good time. A week from now the holiday is over and you're still unemployed. Still not good!

**jamie79** · 12-18-2008, 10:13 PM

This is happening everywhere. Hard times all around

**HandyMom** · 12-18-2008, 10:21 PM

It may be normal but I still think it's heartless. I wouldn't feel any company loyalty anymore, that's for sure.

**frugalbabe** · 12-18-2008, 10:29 PM

Like others have said this is just the tip of a very cold, black iceberg. I heard an economic analyst (for whatever that's worth) say next Christmas will be more about putting food on the table then presents under the tree. I truly hope he was wrong and things won't be that dire but it does feel ominous.