Layoffs

The ugliest thing about these economic times has to be the numerous layoffs that are occuring in every imaginable sector.  The safety net of the public sector has even been pierced as several colleges/universities are letting go of staff.  In my second year out of business school, I never would have imagined that so many of my classmates would be without work.  I've been fortunate enough to keep my job, so far (I may have bought myself some time when i transitioned from finance to working at my alma mater).

I can remember 2001, when the tech bubble burst and I was an NFL reject peddling my Stanford degree in hope of gaining employment in the Bay Area.  After two months of temping and an endless stack of "we have your resume on file" letters, I ended up selling appliances at the local Best Buy (part of the reason why I'm so loyal to the company as a consumer).  Luckily, the Chargers called back and re-signed me near the end of the season.  If I happen to get let go this time around, I don't think I'll have the Chargers to fall back on (you know... with my banged up knee and all).

It's hard to be light-hearted about a subject that can affect people so strongly... but I'm not writing this blog to put us all in the dumps.  I like to think that I can find the humor and the music that covers any situation.  So I found this video from one of my all-time favorite stand-up comedy performances that is strictly about leaving jobs voluntarily and involuntarily.

In the classic Original Kings of Comedy film DL jokes about how we stay out all night and fake sick so we don't have to go to work. We don't get fired, we quit a job. We've all been there.

After watching this I'm wondering what are the demographic characteristics of the employees who have been laid off so far.  I might have to start acting a little more crazy so I can ensure that I'll have my job.

So in the name of trying to keep things light hearted (and to bring it back to the music), here are four ways to survive the layoffs (of course matched with corresponding songs in a quck mix).

Track 1. Get a sugar mama/daddy - If you don't like working hard in the office, you can get the job doneat home and still have a stable life.

Track 2. Be the most productive - Work harder, better, and faster and you'll have a stronger chance of keeping your job.

Track 3. Go to work - Excessive abscence can result in you losing your job without severance.

Track 4. Put in a little extra work - If you're working day and night they can't possibly fire you for being lazy.

Disclaimer - Doing one or all of these will not guarantee that you will remain in your current job.  ;-)

J.O.B. Mix