Mike: Good day to all and I hope you had a fine weekend.
Today proved to be a rather light day for layoff announcements, as is usually the case for Monday. With plenty of people on vacation this week, and that includes those that do the laying off, it may be a quieter week for layoff announcements.
Before you go on to the news of this day, I’d like to point out a few sites that I added to the various links categories to your right. I think it’s important to point out worthwhile sites that add value to our lives:
- http://legistalker.org/: Find out what your congressperson is doing via Twitter, Facebook and other social networking options. Get plugged into their daily activities and follow their voting on important legislation. An excellent way to get connected with the legislators of your choice. They need to know they are being followed, so that they pass legislation that’s effective for all and not just the chosen few.
- http://www.data.gov/: Want to know where to go for the latest in government data? Well you found it at http://www.data.gov/. The site gives the following description of its goals: “The purpose of Data.gov is to increase public access to high value, machine readable datasets generated by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government.” Do some seeking and see what you find.
- http://www.nojobsurvivor.com/njs/: a great individual effort to bring the jobless together to share their layoff survival skills. Take the time to visit and join in the conversation. How are you or someone you know surviving unemployment? As stated on the site: “Be a No Job Survivor! On this site: share your survivor skills, build a community, record your journey and enjoy the resources. “
- http://cardsofchange.com/: Cards of Change: “Our mission is to collect as many business cards and stories of positive change of people who have recently been laid off and connect them with new opportunities from potential employers, business partners and people who make the effort to look on the bright side of life.” So go and post your business card and see how others have taken the layoff train and found enlightenment.
Mike: I had to laugh at the following article, which discusses what to do if you asked to train your replacement once you are laid off. I can see helping to train a replacement if you decide to leave a position, but to train someone for your job after being laid off is not something I would volunteer to do. If the company thinks your work is good enough that you can train your replacement, then they should have kept you on the job. In short, my answer would be no thanks, aloha………….
– If you’re not consumed by anger and if you can shape a temporary arrangement that is tolerable, then staying on for the short term could work to your advantage over the long term. In making your decision, consider the history of your relationships at the company and the likelihood that you would be treated fairly and with dignity during the handoff phase. Also take into account your ability to manage emotions and opt for a pragmatic approach. If you do decide to stay on for a time-limited period, use a two-pronged approach to handle this transition.
via Should a layoff victim stay on to help train their replacement? | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle.
Mike: I decided to post the following news, since it’s a first step in improving the student loan situation where millions are forced into contracts that are onerous and inflexible:
Starting this week, anyone with a federal student loan can apply for a program, run by the Department of Education, that caps monthly payments based on income, and forgives remaining balances after 25 years. Those choosing to work in public service could have their loans forgiven after just 10 years.
Eligibility for income-based repayment (IBR) is determined by a person’s income and loan size. A calculator at http://www.ibrinfo.org can help borrowers determine their eligibility for the plan, which becomes available Wednesday.
“It’s a way to borrow for college without going to the poor house,” said Lauren Asher, president of the Institute for College Access & Success, a California-based nonprofit that runs the Project on Student Debt.
via For modest earners, relief repaying student loans – Yahoo! Finance.
Dilbert - Scott Adams
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Microsoft/Google/IBM and other Rumors/News
General Economic News
Government Layoff News
US and some Canada Layoff News
International Layoff News
Hiring News and News You Can Use
– Microsoft/Google/IBM and other Rumors & News –
– Microsoft has hired Morgan Stanley to sell Razorfish, its digital agency, and French marketing company Publicis Groupe SA is thought to be a possible bidder, the Financial Times said on its Website late Sunday.
Mike: Here we have an example of why unemployment figures are so difficult to interpret. The administrator for economic analysis and tax research at the Arkansas state Department of Finance and Administration appears to be confused by the reported unemployment numbers. And another issue is that each state has different reporting systems and requirements, so getting an accurate national picture of unemployment is problamatic.
-“The insured unemployment rate is those who … can draw benefits, but the total unemployment rate includes everyone as well,” she said. “You may have quit your job and may not be eligible for benefits, but you could be counted in the total unemployment rate. It’s got a bigger umbrella, I guess you could say.”
Asked if she could think of reason why Arkansas’ total unemployment would be well below the national rate while its insured unemployment would be higher than the national rate, Friedman said the question would require some study, but one possible factor might be differences in state laws regarding unemployment insurance.
via The Morning News: News : State’s Top Economist Questions Unemployment Figures.
– WASHINGTON — General Motors Corp. has moved its Willow Run transmission plant off the list of plants that will be shuttered and sold, and will accept responsibility for future lawsuits stemming from alleged defects in its vehicles on the road today.
via Willow Run plant to be taken over by new GM | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press.
– HR professionals say their organizations will conduct more layoffs by the end of the year, according to Workforce Management’s HR Anxiety Survey.
Tom Toles
– More than 1,100 layoffs have been made in San Joaquin County secondary education school districts as they continue to cope with an ongoing California budget crisis.
Most county school districts have adopted final budgets for the 2009-10 school, slashing a combined $120 million from local classrooms. The aftermath of the cuts will affect school programs and set school staffing ratios back five years, most educators agree.
via S.J. education layoffs at 1,100 and counting | Recordnet.com.
– The state work force will be trimmed by more than 500 workers in the upcoming fiscal year as the result of a deal between the Markell administration and House Republicans.
– BYFIELD — Facing difficult budget choices, Triton Regional School Superintendent Sandra Halloran recently confirmed several job eliminations and job switches throughout the district.
via Triton cuts staff to balance budget – NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA.
– A source within the Cincinnati Police Department confirmed for News 5 that as many as 200 officers could be laid off by January because of budget cuts.
– US and some Canada Layoff News –
– Quality Industries Inc. has laid off 111 people from its La Vergne facility, according to information released Monday by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
– A spokeswoman for the stations confirmed that 95 staffers on Friday were given 60-day layoff notices.
The notices may or may not be followed by layoffs, depending on whether the economic climate will improve in the next couple of months.
via Fox L.A. stations consider layoffs.
– Integra Bancorp is eliminating about 65 positions and temporarily lowering the pay of executives in order to improve its profits.
via Integra cutting jobs, execs’ pay by Evansville Courier & Press .
– VALPARAISO – Valparaiso University has cut about 50 jobs through early retirement packages and layoffs as it deals with the national recession.
via Valparaiso University cuts more than 50 jobs | jconline.com | Journal and Courier.
– PERRYVILLE, Mo. – Citing a decrease in customer volume, officials at TG Missouri announced this morning the reduction of nearly 30 hourly and salary employees from support groups and management.
via seMissourian.com: Story: TG Missouri to lay off 30 employees.18:06:56
– Under the restructuring, the Child Development Center and Laboratory School at the university will close on Aug. 21, eliminating eight jobs.
via WSSU Lays Off 16 In Restructuring Plan – Winston-Salem News Story – WXII The Triad.18:08:46
– Scio Township archiving company National Archive Publishing Co. notified its workforce that about 120 of its employees would be laid off this month, according to paperwork it filed with the state.
via National Archive Publishing Co. in Scio Township notifies employees of layoffs – Ann Arbor Business – MLive.com.18:13:35
– The ESPN Zone, part of a nationwide chain of what used to be nine of the sports-themed bar and interactive game centers across the country, laid off roughly 100 employees, giving each a 60-day administrative leave package, according to a company statement.
via ESPN Zone closes doors in Denver – Los Angeles Business from bizjournals: .18:14:16
– The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber has laid off seven employees, a chamber spokesman confirmed Monday.
via Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber cuts 7 jobs – Business Courier of Cincinnati: .18:14:48
– Gibson Guitars Inc. laid off 50 people from its Nashville office on June 1, according to documents filed with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Thursday.
via Gibson layoffs in Nashville at 50 – Nashville Business Journal: .18:17:39
– CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands—The Hovensa oil refinery has dismissed 270 contract workers in response to the global economic downturn, a company spokesman said Monday.
via Hovensa refinery in USVI dismisses 270 workers – Boston.com.18:18:30
– PTC Alliance has extended 115 layoffs at its Alliance, Ohio, plant and may lengthen cuts at two plants in Pennsylvania.
via (AMM) PTC Alliance extends layoffs – Metal Bulletin .18:19:18
-Transcontinental Media eliminated more than 20 jobs this morning in its newly merged Business and Consumer Solutions Group.
via Masthead Online – Headline News, Careers and Reference for the Canadian Magazine Industry.18:19:49
– The line will be shut down by the end of the fourth quarter, resulting in four positions being eliminated at the plant.
via Ohio.com – Schulman to shut down one line .18:22:51
– MANILA, Philippines – More than 1,600 Filipino workers of Triumph International will lose their jobs after the company announced Saturday it was closing down next month “due to the global recession and general downturn in consumer demand.”
– Bulawayo – Bulawayo based, Treger group would next month lay off 400 contract workers due to low capacity utilisation. In an interview the managing director, Mr James Buckle, said the situation had been compounded by cheap imports flooding the local market.
– The company, which manufactures tracked and wheeled movement systems for mining, construction and agricultural vehicles, also said it had cut 35 percent of jobs since the beginning of the year to the end of May.
– SLOVENSKÉ Lodenice Komárno shipyard has announced mass layoffs. Of 685 employees, 198 will lose their jobs by the end of this year, the SITA newswire reported.
– In what ranks as one of the biggest news media layoffs in recent times, NewsX, the english news channel that was acquired by Indi Media Pvt. Ltd in January, has laid off 78 staffers, according to a company source.
– While management at the plant, or its Australian-based head office, were not able to be contacted yesterday, The Timaru Herald has learnt the Washdyke factory will shut for two weeks, from July 11.
In that time, new technology packing robots will be installed to do the jobs of up to 16 staff in the packing area.
via McCain job cuts loom – news – timaru-herald | Stuff.co.nz.
– Newcastle-based plumbing and electrical contractor Simpson & Gregg has gone into administration, with the loss of 92 jobs.
via Newcastle M&E contractor in administration, 92 job losses – 29/06/2009 – Contract Journal.
– At least eight Mitre 10 Mega staff at its Palmerston North store lost their jobs on Friday with no warning and little explanation.
via Eight jobs go with no warning | Stuff.co.nz.
– Private bank EFG International (EFGN.S) forecast weak first-half results despite encouraging business momentum at the end of the period and said it would cut jobs as it looked to reduce costs.
– Approximately 100 Allens Arthur Robinson staff have opted for the voluntary redundancy program announced earlier in April.
via 100 Allens staff volunteer for redundancy .
– University bosses said today they did not yet know how many posts in the directorate of facilities management will go, but strongly denied suggestions made in a call to The Press that the figure could be as high as 350.
via Jobs to be shed at University of York (From York Press).
– The Audit Commission has begun talks unions over a proposal to shrink its field force numbers by 100
via Audit Commission proposes 100 job cuts | News | Local Government Chronicle.
– Education in Cumbria has been dealt a devastating double blow with a £30 million college transformation plan shelved and more than 70 university jobs set to go.
via News & Star | News | 70 education jobs to go and £30 million project shelved .
Body Fashion (Thailand) Ltd, a manufacturer and distributor of women’s lingerie and swimwear under the Triumph trademark, announced on Monday that it would lay off 1,930 staff at a factory in Samut Prakan province in August because of the global economic downturn and lower demand for its products.
via Bangkok Post : Body Fashion to lay off 1,930 workers.18:07:50
– Hiring News and News You Can Use–
– Mike: Here’s a excellent resource from the Wall Street Journal that shows the variety of unemployment benefits nationally. The graphic shows you what to expect once you arrive at the site:
The Boundaries of Unemployment
– The Unemployment Survival Guide is a quick read at only 95 pages, but it’s overflowing with information and resources to nurture you and your family mentally, physically and emotionally. The book takes you on a realistic journey through the most relevant resources needed in order to survive the stress of unemployment. This book will quickly become your resource guide to getting through to your next job.
via The Unemployment Survival Guide – a book review.
– How can I get recruiters to call me with great jobs?
Coach: Mark Polanksy, Senior Client Partner & Managing Director I.T. Officers Practice, KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL
Always try to target a single recruiter within a particular firm rather than throw out a wide net to many recruiters at a firm. Building a personal relationship with a recruiter is not your goal. Your goal is to be recognized by a recruiter as a standout and highly qualified candidate.
via Three Tips for Hearing about Jobs from Recruiters ( – IT Management ).
– Sony is adding 1,500 positions to its work force in Tijuana, hailing it as a hopeful sign of the sector’s recovery. Sony’s decision to expand in Tijuana follows the company’s announcement last month that it is shutting down an LCD television manufacturing plant in Mexicali, one of five Sony factories being shuttered worldwide.
Mike: Till Tuesday……………..
Matt Davies
Tags: COBRA, cut jobs, economic, employment, factory closing, firing, hiring, job loss, jobs cut, laid off, layoffs, plant closing, positions eliminated, redundancies, staff cuts, unemployment, workforce reduction
