What have you lost at work due to recession?

[pmlewis]

A few days ago I heard a story on the radio about how the local PBS station was having to cut back due to reduced underwriting for corporations. In addition to the expected labor reductions they were also going to close their cafeteria. So I got to thinking about what other non-traditional benefits other people have lost. My company also used to have a cafeteria with hot breakfast and lunch but it was the first thing to go when the economy turned. While the full service cafeteria was not a major factor for me in choosing my current employer, it was one of the things that set us apart and made working there a little special. The cafeteria is actually listed as a meeting room in our system and you could schedule lunch meetings and actually get real lunch! I was just wondering if anyone else has lost any non-traditional perks at work due to the recession?

[TouchOfEvil]

Nothing so far.

[nooshinjohn]

hmmmm... let's see here.

Do you consider a JOB as being a perk? Or are you only concerned about the free coffee and doughnuts.

There are dozens of us here that lost important things, like families, homes, cars, and our gear... This does not even begin to take into account the lost sense of self worth, security, satisfaction and pride that most of us had doing the jobs we did before all this crap started. Are you counting those too? If I sound bitter, it's because I went from 80k/yr to less than 30k in the span of two years and saw all the carnage first-hand. One thing that does not change are the bills, easily within my means at my old salary, become impossible when you loose it.

Sorry for the rant, but I find it incredibly shallow to be worried about free lunch Thursdays when those people that ran the cafeteria LOST their jobs as well.

[Shannon W.]

Oops.

Shannon

[pmlewis]

John,

I am sorry if my question sounded shallow. It was not my intention to make light of anyone's circumstances. I was just wondering what other non-traditional items people have had cut.

As for my circumstance, the cafeteria was never free, just a convenience. This of course was the only the first thing that was pulled. It seems that every year they take away something different. One year it was un-paid Fridays for the summer. One year we lost our bonuses despite the fact that we meet all our financial goals at 110%. Of course raises were frozen for 2 years. Oh yeah and my depart staff was cut 25%. I guess I was lucky (or good at what I do).

Again, my intention was never make light of the job situation or anyone's personal circumstance. I was just thinking about how companies in the past had added special benefits to try and lure the best and brightest an wondered how many still kept have them.

[agfrost]

I teach. We ran out of paper this year. Apparently being able to give students homework sheets, review packets, and tests is "extra."

Jay

[george daniel]

Bottled water,,benefits, reimbursements,,bonus's are more difficult--I'm just happy that I'm still working.

[nooshinjohn]

pmlewis,


I too am sorry I took such a narrow view to your question. It's just that I know way to many people, myself included, that have lost so much because of this mess. All of them would be happy to have their lives back to some semblance of normal, without the perks... The only thing looking up for me is that my wife will graduate from Purdue Pharmacy School next spring and I/we will finally be able to start recovering from a financial/emotional perspective.

[simm]

wage reduction, increased hours, no 401k match, a years worth of accrued vacation, increased stress and reduced job satisfaction, not to mention bonus for performance and no raise for last two years.

I also had to move to keep my job and took a HUGE loss on selling my old house as well as wife not able to find job at new location.

[hearingimpared]

How about the biggest employer, OUR Government? They cut Medicare benefits, and have put a moratorium on cost of living increases for 2010 & 2011 stating the cost of living hasn't gone up. What country or planet are they living in? Every time I go into the super market food prices go up on an almost weekly basis and gasoline, pffft, each week it goes higher and higher.

Here's a good one. Congress has put a suspension on making Medicare payments to doctors THREE TIMES already this year and it always comes when they are on vacation, like now. In this case the AMA has advised all doctors to not submit claims during these periods which can last as long as three to six weeks. If they do submit the claims during this period, they won't get paid for six months if at all. It gets lost in all the red tape. My cousin a is a doctor who 90% of his patient base is Medicare recipients. Thus far this year he's had to wait six weeks, on three different occasions to get paid. Also they've actually cut the amount paid by Medicare to the doctors each year for each procedure. This is a doctor who lives pay check to pay check like the rest of us regular folks and those on SSI.

It's rediculous! Don't get me started on the cost of medication and the lack of support of the Medicare Part D program, it is a cluster you-know-what.

[WilliamM2]

Seriously?

My wife and I did work for the same company. Here's the run down since things turned a couple of years back.

No raises for anyone the last 3 years.

Insurance has gone from $500 deductible, $500 co-pay, max $1000 out of pocket, to $5K deductible, $5K co-pay, max $10K out of pocket. Prescriptions? Raised from $5 to $20 for generics, no longer cover any name brands at all.

401K match lowered from 7% to 2%.

80% of the employee's laid off, my wife included.

Workload for the rest of us tripled or more. And some had their hours cut to go along with the increased workload, they don't get insurance anymore either, not being full time.

No company cars for anyone anymore.

I'm sure I missed quite a bit there, not to mention the wonderful mood everyone is in at work. Sorry to hear about your cafeteria.

[hearingimpared]

Seriously?

My wife and I did work for the same company. Here's the run down since things turned a couple of years back.

No raises for anyone the last 3 years.

Insurance has gone from $500 deductible, $500 co-pay, max $1000 out of pocket, to $5K deductible, $5K co-pay, max $10K out of pocket. Prescriptions? Raised from $5 to $20 for generics, no longer cover any name brands at all.

401K match lowered from 7% to 2%.

80% of the employee's laid off, my wife included.

Workload for the rest of us tripled or more. And some had their hours cut to go along with the increased workload, they don't get insurance anymore either, not being full time.

No company cars for anyone anymore.

I'm sure I missed quite a bit there, not to mention the wonderful mood everyone is in at work. Sorry to hear about your cafeteria.

Boy hearing all that really gets my blood to boiling and the reason is not just because of the economy William it is because of their, 'CAN'T CURSE ANYMORE' (add what you think I want to write), bottom damned line. I'm all for companies making good money but not at the expense of hard working employees. It's a awful disgrace IMHO!

I can't wait for the economy to rebound and watch all the employees of these BOTTOM LINE companies jump ship because we all know it will rebound and employers are they're going to be hard pressed for employees and they're going to HAVE to make with the great benefits again or go belly up due to no work force.

[maximillian]

No raises. Bonuses (15% of my salary) were dropped; I got one every year up until this year. This year bonuses will be harder to obtain since they changed the compensation factor. Hiring freeze which put a strain on me since I needed more help. There was some other minor things that I could care less about too.

BTW, they bought a company last year that wasn't properly budgeted for. Good to know my bonus money helped finance it.

[Ron-P]

Nothing, in fact, I've still gotten raises, company monies deposited into my retirement and an upgrade on my health insurance. Best thing I ever did was go back to Trader Joe's 4 years ago. People need to eat, want good food at good prices and that is exactly what we provide.

[Willow]

Nothing, thus far! well we don't get funded raises so it has to come out of operations budget. I just move to a new position and dept this past Monday and they have more $ to spend then my older area.

[hearingimpared]

Nothing, in fact, I've still gotten raises, company monies deposited into my retirement and an upgrade on my health insurance. Best thing I ever did was go back to Trader Joe's 4 years ago. People need to eat, want good food at good prices and that is exactly what we provide.

Yep and you would think the same applied to the Health Care industry, right!

[Face]

Raised were pushed back and things like paper towels are hard to come by.

[polkfarmboy]

I lost my contacted work and got putt on stinky hourly rate but my boss never makes me work a full day so I get paid the same in a way

[wz2p7j]

Boy hearing all that really gets my blood to boiling and the reason is not just because of the economy William it is because of their, 'CAN'T CURSE ANYMORE' (add what you think I want to write), bottom damned line. I'm all for companies making good money but not at the expense of hard working employees. It's a awful disgrace IMHO!

I can't wait for the economy to rebound and watch all the employees of these BOTTOM LINE companies jump ship because we all know it will rebound and employers are they're going to be hard pressed for employees and they're going to HAVE to make with the great benefits again or go belly up due to no work force.

Well, I guess I own one of those "BOTTOM LINE" companies. Right now there's nothing going to the bottom line. I haven't taken any money out of the company since last year and haven't paid myself a salary since March. Plus I'm borrowing money to keep the company going and pay bills and salaries and such.

It's hard when your paycheck has a big fat zero on it. Guess what, none of the bills that show up in the mail box have zero's on them.

So I'm announcing some changes. Among them is a complete cessation of the company health care program as of next week. Should save me almost $30k per year. With that and a few other things should get us profitable again.

I really hate to do this to my guys but I can no longer justify my wife working and me borrowing money to pay their salaries and benefits. Plus, my family has to eat too.

End of rant. My wife works at a huge "BOTTOM LINE" company, HP. In their case, they set arbitrary profit targets and, if they aren't met, heads roll. HP just sucks, pay cuts for 25 year people to "entry level" pay ranges, ridiculous hours, etc.

So their are my examples of the small business and the big business. Both dear to my heart in this household. There is probably every scenario in between.

Chris

[everpress]

I um... lost my job. And i had to move to someplace more affordable.... Twice now in the last 4 months. Any more 'affordable' and I'll be jostling for a cot next to my wife and 3 year old.
No, it's not that bad (and i pray it doesn't get that bad)... But it is exhausting and worrisome.

[PerfectCreature]

Well, we always used to be able to wear pants and a nice shirt top, kind of a semi formal day for Monday. It used to be free, now you pay $5 and it goes into a fund so the store can buy more supplies since out budget for that stuff has been cut.
We also have had raises frozen since our store does kind of poorly compared to the rest, its in a smaller area...
Anyway, those that chose to stay took a pay cut as well. Most of us department lead that should have had a 75 cent raise for being a lead, lost that and on top of that we were suppose to get a 12 cent raise for every year you worked there, yep we lost that too.
Yep, I went from making around 9.64 an hour to about 8 an hour. Oh well, when I graduate from college and all that I won't have to worry much.
That semi formal day for 5 really ticked me off though....

[superjunior]

I um... lost my job. And i had to move to someplace more affordable.... Twice now in the last 4 months. Any more 'affordable' and I'll be jostling for a cot next to my wife and 3 year old.
No, it's not that bad (and i pray it doesn't get that bad)... But it is exhausting and worrisome.

that sucks to hear, hope things work out for the better

[treitz3]

Boy hearing all that really gets my blood to boiling and the reason is not just because of the economy William it is because of their, 'CAN'T CURSE ANYMORE' (add what you think I want to write), bottom damned line. I'm all for companies making good money but not at the expense of hard working employees. It's a awful disgrace IMHO!

I can't wait for the economy to rebound and watch all the employees of these BOTTOM LINE companies jump ship because we all know it will rebound and employers are they're going to be hard pressed for employees and they're going to HAVE to make with the great benefits again or go belly up due to no work force.

All due respect Joe, but I am one of "those". I [along with my employees] had to lose all benefits, bonuses and extra hours. In fact, I had to close shop. For good.

Nothing for me or the employees that had worked so hard for me for such a long time. Great employees, no complaints or worries. Employees with families, children, grandchildren and adopted or in-law family living together just to make it through the times.

As an employer, I took a major loss keeping them employed for so long with the same thoughts you have. Those thoughts now have me in debt personally. I try to hold back tears as I type this, but I can not. I would take on the debt ten-fold if I had what I had as a workforce to bring it back to what it was...but some point as an employer? You have to make an executive decision.

[tonyb]

Lost work..period. Not to mention Healthcare,dental, at a time when I needed to spend 12 g's at the dentist. No, I don't play hockey. So now it's all out of pocket. At this rate, if my wife were to get canned, I'll be on lower wacker,3rd cardboard box down and no,I am not kidding.

[exalted512]

This thread is depressing. I feel for you guys. I'm sure better times lay ahead.
-Cody

[cnh]

Indefinite Pay Freezes.

Increased Healthcare Insurance payments.

Nothing compared to some of you above. I can't complain too much--YET! And I haven't really experienced any of that directly since I'm in China for the year...have 'extra' income here and Chinese Health coverage, free housing, etc.

cnh

[hearingimpared]

Well, I guess I own one of those "BOTTOM LINE" companies. Right now there's nothing going to the bottom line. I haven't taken any money out of the company since last year and haven't paid myself a salary since March. Plus I'm borrowing money to keep the company going and pay bills and salaries and such.

It's hard when your paycheck has a big fat zero on it. Guess what, none of the bills that show up in the mail box have zero's on them.

So I'm announcing some changes. Among them is a complete cessation of the company health care program as of next week. Should save me almost $30k per year. With that and a few other things should get us profitable again.

I really hate to do this to my guys but I can no longer justify my wife working and me borrowing money to pay their salaries and benefits. Plus, my family has to eat too.

End of rant. My wife works at a huge "BOTTOM LINE" company, HP. In their case, they set arbitrary profit targets and, if they aren't met, heads roll. HP just sucks, pay cuts for 25 year people to "entry level" pay ranges, ridiculous hours, etc.

So their are my examples of the small business and the big business. Both dear to my heart in this household. There is probably every scenario in between.

Chris

Chris, you have justification for cutting back. I wouldn't call your company a "Bottom Line" company because you have no bottom line to speak of. I was talking about companies who are making good money but want more so they take out of their employees hide.

[hearingimpared]

All due respect Joe, but I am one of "those". I [along with my employees] had to lose all benefits, bonuses and extra hours. In fact, I had to close shop. For good.

Nothing for me or the employees that had worked so hard for me for such a long time. Great employees, no complaints or worries. Employees with families, children, grandchildren and adopted or in-law family living together just to make it through the times.

As an employer, I took a major loss keeping them employed for so long with the same thoughts you have. Those thoughts now have me in debt personally. I try to hold back tears as I type this, but I can not. I would take on the debt ten-fold if I had what I had as a workforce to bring it back to what it was...but some point as an employer? You have to make an executive decision.

Tom, see post #27.

[Amherst]

My wife and I lost both jobs within six weeks of each other. I've been unemployed for fourteen months and counting. There is no hope of returning to my trade of 20+ years. Have returned to school to retrain for another career, will be lucky to find employment @ half prior salary. Wife recently returned to work @ 1/3 prior salary. My son has recently become seriously ill and the outcome is still uncertain, forgetting any financial future.

Our stories are common around these parts.

Back this past winter I took my stash money and bought things for my rig.
Music has been a savior and my personal form of mental health self insurance.
My hopes and prayers to all those in need of better times.


Enjoy the Music and Rock On!

[WilliamM2]

Chris, you have justification for cutting back. I wouldn't call your company a "Bottom Line" company because you have no bottom line to speak of. I was talking about companies who are making good money but want more so they take out of their employees hide.

The company I work for is the same as his. Family owned, just trying to make it through. Though they aren't the nicest people I ever worked for, and I believe they are just trying to save their own butts, and not real concerned about the employees., after all, they still buy themselves. and upper management (other family members) a new Mercedes every year.

For the first time in over 30 years in the work force, I actually want to be laid off. It would give me more time to find something else, and I could do without the stress. I've saved enough to last for a good long while, years even, so I'm not too worried. Although laying out $10K in medical bills this year didn't help any...