Unemployment & The Recession

It seems like just about everyone knows of someone who has lost their job over the last few months as our economic woes continue and show no sign of getting better anytime soon. It’s a problem that has impacted nearly all
professions, companies and ages leaving many out of work and wondering what they can and should do. Seniority at times is no longer and asset but a curse as many companies have cut those at or near the top in terms of service and salary. Sometimes being the low man on the totem pole is not so bad after all.

This is also a scary time for young people, especially recent and soon-to-be
college graduates. Careers they have studied and sacrificed for have undergone drastic changes and doors that were once open are closing. How many young people have or will find themselves saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in student loans and no job? You can’t even guess as to the number of people in the early and mid 20’s who are victims of the current crisis. Many just left home and now might have to return…that is if their parents still have a home as foreclosure rates hit numbers that could not have been imagined a short time ago.

Many businesses and companies are trying to find ways to keep people employed from the elimination of perks to shortened work weeks and mandatory vacations without pay. Benefits are being reduced and even cut and who knows what else will have to be done to get through what could be a long and dreadful year.

It is at times like this that we need outlets from the 24/7 onslaught of negative news…even if those outlets are as simple as a movie, favorite TV program or even better…a radio show that brings a smile to your face. While we can’t forget what’s happening all around us we also can’t dwell on it all the time. Family and friends have never been more important and if we are lucky there will be a day we can look back and say….”I survived the financial crisis of 2009.” Unfortunately there will be many who don’t.